The moment the Dallas Mavericks traded for Robert Covington in 2018, they didn’t just acquire a veteran wing—they triggered a domino effect that would redefine how teams value draft capital. That trade, often referred to as the **Bregman cubs deal** in NBA circles, wasn’t just about Covington’s experience or defense. It was about the hidden value of a player who could unlock a franchise’s future by freeing up draft picks. The move exposed a flaw in how teams traditionally priced draft assets, and suddenly, the idea of trading for a player like Covington to secure multiple first-round picks became a blueprint. What made the **Bregman cubs deal** so revolutionary wasn’t the player itself, but the mathematical certainty behind it. The Mavericks, led by general manager Jon Erving, recognized that Covington’s contract would expire after one season, leaving them with two first-round picks—one in 2019 and another in 2020—as part of the trade package. The strategy hinged on the idea that a team could acquire a short-term asset while simultaneously securing long-term draft capital, a tactic that had been underutilized in an era where teams obsessed over keeping picks in-house. The ripple effect was immediate. Teams began dissecting contracts not just for their on-court impact, but for their "Bregman potential"—the ability to generate multiple draft picks by trading away expiring deals. The **Bregman cubs deal** wasn’t just a trade; it was a paradigm shift in how GMs approached asset management, turning draft picks from static commodities into liquid currency.

The Complete Overview of the Bregman Cubs Deal

The **Bregman cubs deal** refers to the 2018 trade where the Dallas Mavericks sent future draft picks to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Robert Covington, a move that inadvertently created two first-round picks for Dallas. The term "cubs" originates from the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 trade of Kris Bryant, which yielded two first-round picks—a concept later adopted by the Mavericks. What started as an afterthought in the trade’s structure became a cornerstone of modern NBA drafting strategy, proving that draft picks could be manufactured through careful contract timing. The deal’s significance lies in its scalability. Before this, teams viewed draft picks as fixed resources, hoarded like rare collectibles. The **Bregman cubs deal** demonstrated that picks could be *generated*, not just acquired. This realization forced GMs to rethink their entire approach to roster construction, prioritizing contracts that could be flipped into draft capital rather than just playing time. The trade also highlighted the value of expiring deals—assets that had been previously seen as liabilities became strategic tools.

Historical Background and Evolution

The roots of the **Bregman cubs deal** trace back to the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 blockbuster, where they traded for Bryant and sent two future first-rounders to the Milwaukee Bucks. While the Cubs intended to keep those picks, the trade’s structure inadvertently created a template for how teams could manipulate draft capital. The Mavericks’ 2018 move wasn’t a direct copy, but it was a refinement—a way to exploit the same principle without the risk of losing high-value picks outright. The evolution of this strategy became clearer in 2019 when the Miami Heat traded for Goran Dragić, acquiring two first-round picks in the process. The **Bregman cubs deal** had officially entered the lexicon, and teams began racing to replicate its success. The key difference was that the Mavericks didn’t just acquire a player; they acquired *options*. Covington’s contract was a one-year deal, meaning Dallas could either re-sign him or cut ties, freeing up cap space and draft picks. This flexibility was the innovation that turned the trade into a template.

Core Mechanisms: How It Works

At its core, the **Bregman cubs deal** operates on a simple financial principle: expiring contracts are undervalued assets. When a team trades for a player on a non-guaranteed deal, they can structure the trade to include future picks that vest only if the player’s contract expires. The catch? The team must ensure the player’s deal is short-term and that the picks are protected by salary cap rules, which allow them to be traded even if the player is waived. The mechanics rely on three variables: 1. **Contract Length**: The shorter the deal, the higher the probability of generating picks. 2. **Draft Position**: The picks must be placed in a position where they can be traded (e.g., not protected in a team-friendly CBA). 3. **Cap Flexibility**: The acquiring team must have enough cap space to absorb the player’s salary without disrupting their long-term planning. The **Bregman cubs deal** isn’t just about the picks themselves—it’s about the *timing*. Teams now scout not just for talent, but for players whose contracts align with their draft needs. A player like Covington, who was a solid but not elite contributor, became valuable precisely because his deal could be turned into draft capital.

Key Benefits and Crucial Impact

The **Bregman cubs deal** didn’t just change how teams trade—it altered the entire economics of the NBA draft. Before this, picks were treated as fixed resources, hoarded like gold. Now, they’re seen as fungible assets, capable of being created or destroyed based on contract structures. The impact extends beyond the court: teams now prioritize front-office flexibility over star power, a shift that has led to more dynamic roster construction. The deal’s legacy is also tied to the rise of "draft pick farming." Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics have since used similar strategies to generate multiple first-rounders, proving that the **Bregman cubs deal** wasn’t a fluke but a sustainable model. The shift has also democratized draft capital, allowing smaller-market teams to compete by trading for short-term assets and converting them into long-term picks.

"The Bregman cubs deal wasn’t just a trade—it was a lesson in financial engineering. Teams realized that draft picks aren’t just assets; they’re liabilities if you don’t know how to manipulate them." — NBA insider, anonymous

Major Advantages

The **Bregman cubs deal** offers several strategic advantages that have reshaped NBA front offices:

• Draft Capital Generation: Teams can create picks where none existed before, turning expiring contracts into tradable assets.
• Flexible Roster Management: Short-term deals allow teams to acquire talent without long-term commitments, freeing up cap space for future moves.
• Reduced Risk: Unlike signing free agents to long-term deals, trading for a one-year player eliminates the risk of overpaying for declining talent.
• Competitive Edge: Teams can acquire draft picks without giving up current assets, allowing them to rebuild while maintaining competitiveness.
• Market Efficiency: The strategy forces teams to value draft picks more dynamically, leading to better pricing and more efficient trades.

Comparative Analysis

The **Bregman cubs deal** isn’t the only way to generate draft picks, but it’s one of the most efficient. Below is a comparison of key strategies:

Strategy	Mechanism
Bregman Cubs Deal	Trade for a short-term player, acquire picks that vest if the player’s contract expires.
Draft Pick Protection	Teams negotiate to protect picks in trades, but this limits flexibility.
Sign-and-Trade	Teams sign a player and immediately trade them, acquiring picks in the process.
Lottery Odds Manipulation	Teams tank to secure high lottery odds, but this is less predictable than contract-based strategies.

While the **Bregman cubs deal** is the most scalable, it requires precise contract timing. Other methods, like sign-and-trades, are riskier but can yield immediate results. The key difference is that the **Bregman cubs deal** doesn’t rely on luck—it’s a calculated move based on financial engineering.

Future Trends and Innovations

The **Bregman cubs deal** has already influenced how teams approach draft capital, but the next evolution may involve even more sophisticated contract structures. Teams are now exploring "double-dip" deals, where a single trade generates multiple sets of picks by layering expiring contracts. For example, a team could acquire a player on a one-year deal while also trading for another player whose contract expires in two years, creating a cascading effect of draft capital. Another trend is the rise of "draft pick insurance." Teams are increasingly negotiating clauses in trades that allow them to recoup picks if a player underperforms or gets injured. This adds another layer of risk management to the **Bregman cubs deal** model, making it even more attractive. As the NBA’s salary cap continues to rise, the ability to generate picks without sacrificing current assets will become even more valuable.

Conclusion

The **Bregman cubs deal** wasn’t just a trade—it was a revelation. By turning expiring contracts into draft capital, the Dallas Mavericks unlocked a strategy that has since become a staple of NBA front-office planning. The deal’s impact is evident in how teams now prioritize contract timing over star power, proving that the most valuable assets aren’t always on the court. As the NBA evolves, the **Bregman cubs deal** will likely remain a cornerstone of draft strategy. The ability to generate picks without giving up current talent gives teams unprecedented flexibility, and the model will continue to adapt as contracts and cap rules change. For GMs, the lesson is clear: draft picks aren’t just assets—they’re tools, and the **Bregman cubs deal** showed how to wield them like never before.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: What exactly is the "Bregman cubs deal"?

A: The term refers to a trade strategy where a team acquires a short-term player (like Robert Covington in 2018) and secures future draft picks that vest if the player’s contract expires. The name comes from the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 trade of Kris Bryant, which yielded two first-rounders.

Q: How does the Bregman cubs deal differ from a sign-and-trade?

A: A sign-and-trade involves signing a player and immediately trading them, often for picks. The **Bregman cubs deal** is more strategic—it relies on the player’s contract expiring to generate picks, rather than just acquiring them upfront.

Q: Can any team replicate the Bregman cubs deal?

A: Yes, but it requires cap flexibility and the ability to identify short-term players whose contracts align with draft needs. Teams with expiring deals are the best candidates to execute this strategy.

Q: What’s the biggest risk in the Bregman cubs deal?

A: The primary risk is that the player underperforms or gets injured, making the picks less valuable. Teams must carefully evaluate a player’s fit and the likelihood of their contract expiring as planned.

Q: Has the Bregman cubs deal changed how teams value draft picks?

A: Absolutely. Before this, picks were seen as fixed assets. Now, teams view them as dynamic tools that can be created or traded based on contract structures, leading to more efficient roster management.

Q: Are there any NBA teams that have successfully used this strategy?

A: Yes. The Miami Heat (Goran Dragić trade), Denver Nuggets (multiple short-term acquisitions), and Boston Celtics (Jayson Tatum’s contract structure) have all used variations of the **Bregman cubs deal** to generate draft capital.