2012 NBA Draft Order: Look at Possible Deals That Could Reshuffle Selections
The 2012 NBA Draft will either end up as a whirlwind of deals or a mirage of non-deals. Despite a plethora of talks, it could all be deceiving.
Fans could be unjustly worried or excited, based on a flurry of reports preceded by the words "sources say".
We can't tell which reports actually have legs, but here is a list of the trade rumors that could potentially shake the entire draft order.
There are a few smaller deals being discussed that include picks, but the following potential trade situations are the keys to Thursday's event.
Let's Start at the Top—Well at Least Near the Top
The Charlotte Bobcats definitely appear to be open to moving the No. 2 pick. Per ESPN, The Cats are said to be fielding five offers. This is really the deal that could shape the entire draft.
If the Cats move this pick to anyone besides the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 4 selection, it will change everything.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are said to be interested in the pick so that they can select Bradley Beal, but the Bobcats reportedly want James Harden in return. That's something the Thunder seem a bit hesitant to do at this time, this per Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.
"Oklahoma City likes Bradley Beal but Charlotte wants James Harden for the #2. It doesn't sound like OKC is willing to part ways with Harden.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 28, 2012"
They could swap with the Cavs, and they'll likely still get either Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson at No. 4. This could happen per Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
It doesn't appear that the Bobcats are enthused with any of the prospects at this time. I have long been of the mind that moving this pick is in the team's best long-term interest.
Will Bulls Move Into the Lottery?
They should make every attempt to, but I don't believe they will. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sun-Times tweeted this morning that the Bulls would take Kansas' guard Tyshawn Taylor with the 29th pick.
"RT @VinParise: According to league sources, the Bulls are drafting Tyshawn Taylor from Kansas tonight with the 29th pick.
— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 28, 2012"
There was talk early on that the Bulls would look to move Luol Deng and/or Joakim Noah, but that talk seems to have cooled. The Bulls are unlikely to make a big move with Deng or Noah, per Nick Friedell of ESPN.
It's appearing as though Bulls fans will get what they always get—an uneventful offseason.
How About the Celtics?
The Celtics are said to be working feverishly to move into the lottery, this per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
"Boston is aggressively working to move up into the late lottery, if not higher, league sources tell Y!. Celtics own No. 21 and 22 picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 28, 2012"
It makes you wonder if the team would be in position to draft Austin Rivers, son of head coach Doc Rivers.
I doubt the two would want to be in that situation, so if the Celtics do move up, I'd expect they would put themselves in position to take a big.
John Henson or Tyler Zeller from North Carolina are all possibilities.
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