NBA Trade Rumors: Updates on Potential Blockbuster Deals Entering 2022 Draft

The 2022 NBA draft is fast approaching, and a new wave of young talent will be entering the league on Thursday night.

It's a time for teams to add players from the college and international ranks who could be building blocks for the future.

That's not all that will be happening this week, though. There are also likely to be trades, because that's another big part of draft night.

Picks will be swapped, and current NBA players could be on the move. If a team has significant draft capital but wants to win now, it could move picks for proven talent. On the other end of the spectrum, teams looking to rebuild may trade their players to acquire more selections in the draft.

Here's some of the latest buzz surrounding potential trades as draft night draws near.

Lakers Interested in Trying to Trade for Beal?

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Washington. The Celtics won 116-87. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Los Angeles Lakers made a blockbuster deal last offseason when they acquired point guard Russell Westbrook as part of a five-team trade last August. Could they be looking to make another huge move prior to the 2022-23 season?

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that he has heard Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal is a player Los Angeles wants, although he's "not sure if the interest is as mutual" from the Wizards' side. But with Westbrook having only one season remaining on his contract (a player option for 2022-23), the Lakers could try to make a splash in the trade market while also using some of their future draft capital.

"The Lakers are trying to angle for some moves like that using the Russ expiring and the ’27 and the ’29 firsts," O'Connor told The Void podcast (h/t Eric Eulau of Yardbarker).

However, Los Angeles may not be alone in a pursuit of Beal.

O'Connor said it may seem like the Miami Heat are "more of the threat to take him away from Washington," while also noting the Boston Celtics shouldn't be ruled out because of the 28-year-old's friendship with Jayson Tatum.

Beal has spent his entire 10-year NBA career with the Wizards. This past season, he averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 40 games before undergoing left wrist surgery in February.

Gordon Could Be Dealt to Get Rockets More Draft Capital

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Houston Rockets' Eric Gordon brings the ball up the court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in Houston. The Rockets won 139-130 in overtime. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

It's been a busy start to the offseason for the Houston Rockets.

Last week, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported they had agreed to trade forward Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center Boban Marjanovic, forward Marquese Chriss, guard Trey Burke and the No. 26 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

Houston will now have three first-round selections, as it already owned the No. 3 pick and the No. 17 pick (which originally belonged to the Brooklyn Nets). And it may not be done adding draft capital.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Rockets are looking to trade guard Eric Gordon with them "widely known to be seeking a first-round pick for Gordon like they managed in the Wood deal."

Gordon is 33 and has two seasons remaining on his contract, so it makes sense that Houston may be looking to move him as it continues to rebuild. The 14-year NBA veteran has spent the past six seasons with the Rockets, which signed him as a free agent in July 2016.

Gordon continues to be a solid contributor at this stage in his career. He averaged 13.4 points in 57 games last season while shooting a career-best 47.5 percent from the field.

How Many Early 1st-Round Picks Could Be Dealt?

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 31: The NBA logo is pictured on a Wilson brand basketball during the game between the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Every year, plenty of draft picks change hands via trades, including some near the top of the order. And it's likely there will be a few early selections being moved soon.

Stein reported that the Wizards are "open to trading the No. 10 overall pick in their quest for a proven point guard." He also shared that the Portland Trail Blazers (No. 7 overall pick) and the New Orleans Pelicans (No. 8) are other teams that "have a willingness to trade out of their top-10 picks for win-now compensation."

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported that the Charlotte Hornets, which own the Nos. 13 and 15 overall selections, are "exploring the trade market for a player who can help immediately in talks for one of their two first-round picks." He also noted the Cleveland Cavaliers are open to trading down from No. 14.

There are teams reportedly looking to trade up, too. Stein said the Memphis Grizzlies, which have the Nos. 22 and 29 picks, have been "trying hard" to move up. And Scotto reported that the Philadelphia 76ers have been "aggressively" shopping the No. 23 overall selection in a package with veteran guard Danny Green in order to acquire "an impact player who can contribute immediately."

Of course, any of these teams would need to find trade partners to make a deal happen. But with so many rumors swirling, it wouldn't be surprising if some of these potential trades come to fruition, either on draft night or before.