Brickowski said:Does "top 14 protected" mean that Phoenix is protected or that the Lakers are protected? IMHO ESPN is just wrong. The usual meaning, when a "protected" pick is traded, is that the team trading the pick keeps it if the protections kick in.
The Lakers are top 14 protected, but that protection only applies to the Cavaliers swap.
If the Lakers are outside the top 14 the Cavaliers have the right to swap one of their three first round picks with the Lakers. If the Lakers are in the top 14 the Cavs can't swap with them.
But the Lakers owe Phoenix a pick regardless, and what they owe them is unprotected. So either the swap happens and the Lakers end up giving Phoenix Miami's pick, or the swap doesn't happen, in which case they will have to give Phoenix their own top 14 pick.
Realgm tends to be the best place for draft pick information: http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed