NBA trades are basically the league's version of a chaotic reality show. One minute you're the face of a franchise, and the next, you're packing a suitcase for a 6:00 AM flight to a city you've only seen from a hotel window. Most players are just assets on a spreadsheet. But there is a tiny, elite group of guys who have the ultimate "get out of jail free" card.
They have the power to say "no."
If you’ve ever wondered who has a no trade clause in the nba, the answer is shorter than you’d think. It’s a club so exclusive that even most superstars can't get an invite.
The Ultra-Elite: Only Two Full No-Trade Clauses Exist
Right now, as we move through the 2025-26 season, only two players in the entire league hold a true, "ironclad" no-trade clause (NTC) written into their contracts.
LeBron James and Damian Lillard.
That’s it. Out of 450+ players, only two can flat-out veto a trade because they feel like it.
LeBron got his when he signed his most recent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. It was a power move. He’s the first player ever to negotiate an NTC on two different contracts (he had one with Cleveland back in the day). Honestly, it makes sense. If you're the guy who redefined the modern era of the sport, you get to decide where you live.
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Then there’s Damian Lillard. This one surprised some people. When Dame signed his new deal with the Portland Trail Blazers—after that whole "will he, won't he" saga involving Milwaukee—he managed to snag a full no-trade clause. It basically turned him into the "mascot" of the franchise, as some critics say, but it gives him total control over his twilight years in the league.
What Happened to Bradley Beal?
If you're a hardcore fan, you're probably screaming, "Wait, what about Bradley Beal?"
Beal’s situation is the cautionary tale GMs tell their kids at night. He famously had the most "untradeable" contract in the league with the Phoenix Suns because of his NTC. However, the Suns eventually hit a wall. In the summer of 2025, Beal actually gave up his no-trade clause when he agreed to a buyout. He’s now with the Los Angeles Clippers on a much smaller deal, but that legendary veto power? It’s gone. It died with his Suns contract.
Why Is an NTC So Hard to Get?
Teams hate them. They absolutely loathe them.
Giving a player a no-trade clause is like a team tying its own hands behind its back. If a star’s performance dips or the team needs to rebuild, they’re stuck. They can’t move the player without his permission, which usually means the player only agrees to go to one specific team, destroying the original team's leverage.
To even be eligible to ask for one, the requirements are brutal:
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- You need at least eight years of NBA service.
- You must have spent at least four years with the team you’re signing with.
- You have to be signing a brand-new contract, not an extension.
This is why someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic doesn't have one. They signed extensions. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is very strict about this. You can't just tack an NTC onto an extension; you have to hit the open market as a free agent and then re-sign.
The "Secret" No-Trade Clauses: The One-Year Veto
Now, here’s where it gets kinda complicated. While LeBron and Dame are the only ones with permanent clauses, there’s a bunch of guys who have "implied" no-trade clauses for just this season.
This happens because of a weird quirk in the CBA called the One-Year Bird Exception. Basically, if a player re-signs with their team on a one-year deal (or a two-year deal with an option), they automatically get the right to veto a trade for that year. Why? Because if they get traded, they lose their "Bird Rights"—the thing that lets them sign a massive contract later.
For the 2025-26 season, this list is actually pretty long. It includes guys like:
- James Harden (Clippers)
- Quentin Grimes (76ers)
- Fred VanVleet (Rockets)
- Nicolas Batum (Clippers)
- Kyle Lowry (76ers)
- Cam Thomas (Nets)
If the Sixers wanted to trade Quentin Grimes today, they couldn't just do it. Grimes has to sign off on it. If he says no, he stays in Philly. Simple as that.
The Forfeiters: Guys Who Said "Take It"
Not everyone wants that power. Some players actually agree to forfeit their right to veto a trade just to get a deal done. This past offseason, several players on the Milwaukee Bucks, like Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, signed deals where they explicitly gave up their veto rights. They basically told the team, "I trust you, or I just really want this job, so trade me if you have to."
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Why This Matters for the Trade Deadline
We’re heading toward the February trade deadline, and these clauses change everything.
Take Fred VanVleet. He’s on a deal with the Rockets that gives him an implied NTC. If a contender wants him, the Rockets can't just ship him off for picks. Fred has to want to go. This gives players massive leverage to pick their destination—or stay put and collect their checks.
LeBron is the big one, though. Every year there are rumors about him going back to Cleveland or joining a superteam. But because of that no-trade clause, the Lakers can't even pick up the phone to talk to another GM unless LeBron gives them the green light first. He is the sun that the Lakers' solar system orbits around.
The Wrap Up: Power to the Players
The NBA is a business, and usually, the business wins. But the no-trade clause is the one area where the player holds all the cards. Whether it's a legend like LeBron protecting his legacy or a savvy vet like VanVleet protecting his Bird Rights, these clauses are the ultimate leverage.
If you're tracking trade rumors this year, keep a close eye on those "one-year Bird" guys. They might not have the superstar name of LeBron, but they have the exact same power to ruin a GM's afternoon.
Your Next Steps
- Check the Contract Type: Before believing a trade rumor, check if the player is on a one-year "re-sign" deal. If they are, they likely have a veto.
- Monitor the Buyout Market: Watch for veterans who might waive their clauses to join a contender, similar to what Bradley Beal did.
- Watch the 2026 Free Agency: Keep an eye on stars reaching the 8-year/4-year threshold; they are the only ones who can legally ask for an NTC in their next contract.