NBA Draft Predictions: Teams That Will Trade Up in the First Round
In 2011, there were seven draft-day trades involving first-round picks. In 2012, expect there to be just as many, if not more.
This year's draft is loaded with way more talent than last year, and that will lend a hand to an abundance of trades. Not only are teams looking to move up to get the guy they want, other teams will be far more willing to drop down as talented players inevitably slip in the crowded first round.
We've already seen one first-round trade—Houston moved Chase Buddinger to Minnesota for the 18th pick (via Draft Express' Jonathan Givony)—and the draft hasn't even started. We are bound to see plenty more as we near Thursday's big night.
Here's a look at teams likely to move up on draft day.
Houston Rockets
This is pretty much a no-brainer. Unless the Rockets are wanting to bring in three mid-first-round rookies, they are going to find a way to package their 14th, 16th and 18th picks in order to move up.
And the rumors around the league pretty much agree with that notion.
The plan is clear. Package all three picks and Kyle Lowry to obtain two top-10 picks and then make a move after Dwight Howard, even though it seems like he wouldn't sign an extension there.
Even if the Rockets don't get the assets necessary for pursuing the Dwightmare, they would be smart to at least package two of the picks to move into the middle of the lottery.
Signing three first-round picks, along with Goran Dragic, would not be an easy task.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have picks No. 21 and 22, and while they are going to have to do a bit of rebuilding at some point with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen hitting free agency, it would make sense if they tried to move up.
It all depends on who falls to them at those two picks. They like Royce White, so if he and another intriguing player start to fall, the C's will likely stay put.
But if they feel some of their targets aren't going to drop to them, they have two valuable picks that would make it extremely easy to move at least into the end of the lottery.
Orlando Magic
While it would be surprising to see new GM Rob Hennigan, who has barely gotten his feet wet, make a ton of noise on draft day, remember his background.
He comes from the Thunder, where he learned under Sam Presti that building through the draft can indeed work. Sure, that involves brilliant scouting and even a little bit of luck, but Hennigan will be looking to build his own Durant-Westbrook-Harden core through the draft.
And yes, this draft is deep, but he won't likely accomplish that with the 19th pick.
You know how he could move into the top 10, and even secure multiple lottery picks? That guy named Dwight Howard, who has been causing problems for what seems like infinity years and isn't a lock to sign an extension, would command lots of return value.
If Hennigan really wants to make a splash—and make the right move for the direction of the Magic—he will seriously consider dealing Howard and movin' on up for multiple early picks in this stacked draft.
