The no-trade clause became a big talking point in the NBA world in the last few days, thanks to Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards. Beal had the power to nix any trade to a team he didn’t fancy going to, which enabled the Phoenix Suns to land him at a bargain basement price.
The Wizards have been criticized for adding it to Beal’s contract and he was just the 10th player in NBA history to get that clause. Stephen A. Smith believes he did not deserve it and named the only five players in the NBA who do.
“Steph Curry, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum,” Smith said. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re the only five players in the NBA who deserve a no-trade clause.”
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LeBron James is actually one of the 10 who did have a no-trade clause during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He wasn’t eligible for one when he signed that extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022 or else he might have gotten it.
Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic certainly would be quite deserving of it. All of them have stayed loyal to the team that drafted them and have won championships as well. Jayson Tatum is perhaps the one with the weakest case here as he is yet to win a title, but he is certainly the cornerstone piece for the Boston Celtics.
Who Else Would Deserve A No-Trade Clause?
When you think of the players who have had the clause except for Beal, they are all legends of the game. David Robinson, John Stockton, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, LeBron, and Carmelo Anthony were the only other fortunate ones to get it in NBA history.
When you think of who else except for the ones Smith mentioned deserves to have one, Luka Doncic is really the only name that comes to mind. Doncic is a generational talent and if he demands that the Mavericks give it to him, they certainly would. Victor Wembanyama could be another one if he does live up to all the hype once he enters the league.
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