NBA Draft 2012: 7 Teams That Should Trade Their First Round Pick

On June 28, the 2012 NBA Draft will take place, with many teams putting their hope in young players that may or may not pan out. But many of those teams need to trade those picks rather than taking the chance on a young player.

Most of these teams fall into a couple different categories. Some are too talented to accommodate a young player on their roster, no matter how talented. Others could use the resources such a trade would bring in. Some teams need to abstain from picking simply because they are terrible at evaluating talent.

No matter what category they fall into, these teams must make a deal to trade away their first round pick.

5. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have had lottery picks galore in recent years. In fact, they've had a lottery pick in each of the last five drafts, which should mean that they'd be loaded with young talent by now, provided that they'd done their homework.

While the Kings do have quite a bit of young talent in guys like Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, and Tyreke Evans, they won just 22 out of 66 games this past season. This year they have the fifth overall pick, but they shouldn't use it.

The Kings need to trade it. It's obvious that this team is terribly at evaluating and drafting talent that can actually fit together to make a winning team. They'd be much better off trading this pick for multiple resources. At least that way, they'd have a better chance of making at least one good move.

13. Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns must keep Steve Nash if they have any hope of returning to contention sooner rather than later. The 38-year-old point guard is a free agent, and he'll likely head out of town if the team doesn't make bold moves.

Whatever player they can get at No. 13, even if he is a good pick, isn't going to be enough to make this team all that much better. The Suns should either trade the pick for a higher one, where they can get a player with superstar potential, or trade the pick for pieces to build around Nash with. If they do neither, they must be prepared for the post-Nash era, and that isn't something that will lead to winning immediately.

17. Dallas Mavericks

Despite winning the title in 2011, the Dallas Mavericks were unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs in the first round this year by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The quick playoff exit was due in large part to the team not resigning major player on the championship squad so that it could make a big free agent run this offseason.

Considering that run that it appears Dallas owner Mark Cuban is about to make, this draft pick could be used to aid in that rather than to draft a young player who will probably struggle to get on the court. They should trade this pick for future ones or use it to sign and trade for Deron Williams.

20. Denver Nuggets

Even though the Denver Nuggets hit a home run with Kenneth Faried in last year's draft and made the playoffs this season, they still aren't all that close to playoff contention.

The reason is that the Nuggets lack the star necessary to really advance in the playoffs. They are an incredibly balanced team, but that type of basketball really doesn't win in the postseason without a transcendent superstar to bail the team out when the offense goes stale.

Denver should package this pick with a few pieces to land a superstar.

25. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies may have gotten knocked out of the postseason earlier than they would have liked this season. But their first round-exit is no reason to count them out for the future. Memphis is one of the best-built squads in the league, with literally no holes to speak of.

That's exactly why the Grizzlies should trade this pick for another player or for a future pick. Although their second unit could use some bolstering, it is doubtful that whoever they'd get here would be even as good as the backups they have now.

Trade this pick for a player, or package it into another trade for picks.

27. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are not going to get a player that can contribute immediately with this pick. The roster is simply too talented for a rookie drafted this low to make an impact. Therefore, it must be traded.

One would assume that this would be to try and move up to get a contributor in the draft, or that the pick would be included in a trade that broke up the Big Three. Chris Bosh, this pick and another player for Dwight Howard? Yes, please.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti has been known to be a shrewd operator when it comes to draft picks. The shrewd move this year would be to trade the pick away.

This Thunder squad is young and loaded, and it has basically every position it needs. It goes 10-deep and has one of the best second units in the NBA. The Thunder will already have a tough enough time paying all of its young stars moving forward, and this draft pick, although it will come cheap, will still take away much needed cap space.

Trading the pick for future picks is the best route to take.