NBA Rumors: Breaking Down Buzz Surrounding Potential Draft-Day Moves

The NBA draft would be boring without trades—or at least a good volume of speculation about moves. This year's draft class is devoid of a superstar, but that hasn't stopped teams from entertaining thoughts of swapping picks and players.

Perhaps the lack of a franchise player will precipitate more movement. Some teams in the lottery could hold their picks in lower regard and thus be more willing to part with them.

We'll have to wait and see for sure, but here is the low down on three potential draft-day moves and/or decisions that could happen.

The Cleveland Cavaliers Seem Very Open to Moving the Top Pick

Can the Cavs really find a player in this draft worthy of the top pick? The team apparently has some doubts.

Per Joe Kotoch of Sheridan Hoops, the Cavs are listening to all offers, but they would be thrilled to get Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kotoch writes:

"

The Cleveland Cavaliers are fielding calls from everywhere, but the team they’d really like to to make a deal with is Minnesota.

And if the Timberwolves are willing to surrender Kevin Love, the No. 1 pick is available to them.

"

Of all the stars possibly available via trade, Love would likely be the best fit for the Cavs,

He and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving could be an excellent pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop combination. 

The Wolves have four picks in this draft, but they have no first-round selection in the much more highly-anticipated 2014 draft.

That could hinder a deal, because the Cavs probably won't want to miss out on a shot at the likes of Kansas' Andrew Wiggins, Duke's Jabari Parker or Kentucky's Julius Randle.

We can only speculate what the Wolves will do with the top pick. There could be a case made for drafting Kentucky's Nerlens Noel or Kansas' Ben McLemore.

This deal—or some variation of it—is still worth keeping an eye on.

Could an Arron Afflalo Deal Precede the Orlando Magic Selecting McLemore?

Afflalo is a capable shooting guard on both ends of the floor. But he's already hit his peak as a player, and he's owed $7.75 million per year for the next two seasons with a player option for a third.

That's not a terrible contract for a solid 2-guard, but who can blame the Magic for being enamored with the thought of having McLemore?

Because of the rookie salary scale, McLemore will come cheaper. He's younger and more athletic, and his ceiling is much higher than where Afflalo has apexed.

This dynamic may be part of the reason why the Magic have inquired about dealing for LA Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe, per ESPN's Chad Ford.

Ford writes:

"Sources say the Magic have a lot of interest in Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe and would be willing to trade Afflalo for Bledsoe and Caron Butler's expiring contract."

That move would give the Clippers a dependable shooting guard who defends and shoots the ball well.

But because of recent developments that may have left free agent-to-be Chris Paul unhappy, the Clips could be understandably slow to move Bledsoe—at least before they know where they stand with Paul.

CBS Sports' Matt Moore reports Paul is angry with the Clips because he's being blamed for former head coach Vinny Del Negro's dismissal.

Pro Basketball Draft expounded on the situation a bit with these tweets:

This is the rare deal that could actually help both teams. If the Clips retain Paul, acquiring Afflalo certainly makes them a better team.

Likewise, the Magic would improve with Bledsoe and McLemore, but not to a point that would lead them to the playoffs next season.

That would leave them out of the running for one of the gems of next year's draft class, which would be less than ideal.

The Mavericks Looking to Move No. 13 Pick to Make Room for Dwight Howard

Though their efforts may be in vain, the Mavs are still reportedly looking to make room for the summer's biggest free-agent prize, Dwight Howard.

Ford tweets:

Beyond Mavs owner Mark Cuban being a very player-friendly owner and the monetary benefit of playing in Texas with no state income tax, Dallas doesn't appear to be the best fit for Howard.

The Houston Rockets would offer Howard the same tax break, and the team is closer to winning than the Mavs.

Hopefully we'll find out the end result of this free agent storyline soon. July 1 is the date teams can begin talking to free agents.

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