Why did so many teams trade out of NBA Draft’s first round? Follow the money - The Athletic

The 2025 NBA Draft's first round saw limited early trades, with the first deal not occurring until the Memphis Grizzlies' pick at No. 16. Several teams, including New York, Denver, Minnesota, and Cleveland, traded out of the first round and into the second to avoid costly second apron salary cap penalties. Dallas made a notable move by selecting Morez Johnson at No. 9, passing on Brayden Burries, while the top eight picks were largely predictable with no surprises.