5 NBA Teams Most Likely to Make a Trade During the 2014 Draft
Draft-night trades are inevitable in the NBA, and the 2014 draft features some interesting scenarios and potential swaps.
A few clubs have stockpiled assets over the last few years, and June 26th could be the day that they cash in those investments to upgrade their squads.
For some teams, the assets are in the form of draft picks. Bushels of them. For others, the assets are conveniently expiring contracts that serve as attractive known entities.
Which general managers are poised and equipped to make moves on the big night? We break down the teams that are most likely to execute trades during the draft.
*Full draft order: DraftExpress.com
Orlando Magic
1 of 5
Assets: Two 2014 lottery picks, Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson, Tobias Harris, Maurice Harkless
Targeting: Facilitating and scoring production
While they're not a sure thing to make a draft-day move, the Orlando Magic have an extra lottery pick and several tradable players. They're more likely to make a move than most NBA franchises.
The core of the future certainly includes Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo, but beyond those two youngsters, it's not entirely clear which role players are there for the long haul. There are lots of promising pieces on the roster, but the Magic team that eventually gets over the hump may be much different than the squad coach Jacque Vaughn currently has.
As Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders points out, the fact that Orlando has two lottery picks in this star-studded draft means that it might be willing to part with a couple role players: "With the two lottery picks, players like Harkless and Harris could become expendable."
A trade involving those two players may not necessarily occur during the draft. However, if it involved an elite star and required draft picks to sweeten the pot, then a draft-night transaction would be more probable.
Harkless and Harris aren't the only trade options for Orlando's suitors. Arron Afflalo is drawing the interest of the Charlotte Bobcats (per ESPN's Marc Stein), and his game and contract should appeal to other clubs leading up to the draft.
Philadelphia 76ers
2 of 5Assets: Five second-round picks (Nos. 32, 39, 47, 52 and 54), two 2014 lottery picks*
Targeting: Pretty much anything except for a starting point guard
In the process of stripping down the roster to rebuild, Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie obtained a slew of draft picks.
Considering how talented the top of the 2014 draft is, no one is expecting Philly to trade away its primary first-round pick. The Sixers are surely looking forward to adding a prolific wing, like Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins, as one of their cornerstones.
However, their second lottery pick (via New Orleans) could be a tantalizing trading chip. They could use this late lottery asset to engineer a trade for proven talent.
As B/R writer Howard Beck notes in the video, Philly has enough cap space to trade for a veteran such as New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (and throw in Raymond Felton as a reserve).
A trade like this one, coupled with a successful draft, could make June 26th a huge night for the future of the franchise. It could quickly turn a 19-63 squad into a playoff contender.
*Lottery pick from Pelicans is top-five protected
Minnesota Timberwolves
3 of 5
Assets: One 2014 lottery pick, three second-round picks (Nos. 40, 44 and 53), Kevin Love, J.J. Barea, Luc Mbah a Moute, Corey Brewer
Targeting: Three-point shooting, rim protector
At a crossroads this summer, general manager Flip Saunders and Co. have several critical decisions to make.
In addition to securing a new head coach, the Minnesota Timberwolves must determine what to do about Kevin Love. The superstar forward may bolt next summer by opting out of his contract, so Minny may try to deal him soon in order to get something in return instead of letting him walk in 2015 for nothing.
It's not an ideal situation either way, but the team might want to land some assets now rather than deal with the uncertainty of 2015 and beyond.
According to Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders, a Love trade might involve one of several teams: the Los Angeles Lakers (already a likely free-agent destination for Love), Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.
Several of those potential trades would involve draft picks, and they may occur on draft night. For example, Taylor's proposed trade with Phoenix would send Channing Frye, Gerald Green and multiple first-round draft picks to Minnesota in exchange for Love.
Even if they don't ship out Love, the Wolves might still be involved in a draft-day trade. They have a total of four picks in this year's draft, along with reasonable contracts like J.J. Barea, Luc Mbah a Moute and Corey Brewer to utilize. In exchange, they could acquire the interior defender or three-point shooter they're looking for.
Chicago Bulls
4 of 5
Assets: Two 2014 first-round picks (Nos. 16 and 19), future first-round pick from Sacramento, Mike Dunleavy, potentially Carlos Boozer
Targeting: Offensive firepower, backup point guard
Whether its Carmelo Anthony or another high-profile star, the Chicago Bulls need to add some substantial offense this summer.
They were a poor shot-creating and shot-making team without Derrick Rose, landing dead-last in the NBA in points and field-goal percentage. Subsequently, coach Tom Thibodeau's crew was thoroughly outplayed in the first round against the Washington Wizards.
Even if Rose is close to 100 percent for most of 2014-15, general manager Gar Forman has to put more talent around him and Joakim Noah to give Chicago an edge in the East.
In addition to the two 2014 first-round picks to work with, along with a future first-rounder from the Sacramento Kings, the Bulls could try to put together a trade that includes Carlos Boozer. ESPN's Marc Stein indicated as much in a recent season recap: "Sources briefed on Chicago's thinking say the Bulls are going to do everything they can to try to find a trading partner for Boozer before seriously considering the amnesty option."
Don't be surprised if Chicago pulls off a trade on or around draft time. And if it doesn't involve Boozer, the Bulls may still use one or more of their draft picks to land scoring talent.
Phoenix Suns
5 of 5
Assets: Three 2014 first-round picks (Lottery, 18 and 27), one second-round pick (No. 50), Alex Len, Gerald Green, Channing Frye
Targeting: Star power
At this point it would almost be a bit surprising if the Phoenix Suns weren't involved in a draft-day trade, or at least a trade that involved one or more of their 2014 picks.
Back in December, general manager Ryan McDonough made it known that the club has interest in using its picks as trade chips. He explained the front office's approach to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
"I think one of the things that’s important for people to realize is that we may not draft four players even if we have four picks. Our preference would probably be to maybe package a few of them. We’re obviously all looking for stars and we feel like we can put together a package as good, if not better, than any other team in the league if and when a star becomes available.
"
Phoenix has a talented lineup and even a couple stars in Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. But the Suns need one more marquee player in order to become a top-tier Western Conference squad.
They might be able to land someone as prolific as Kevin Love, who recently expressed his admiration for the Suns to Bob Young of the Arizona Republic: "Their offense is very fitting for the team they have. (Goran) Dragic has been playing awesome basketball all year. Guys can really shoot the ball and spread the floor."
Even if they shoot for Love and miss, they should be able to put together a sweet deal for the right suitor. McDonough has done a superb job acquiring assets over the past year, and draft night might be the optimal time to cash in on them.
Dan O'Brien covers the NBA Draft for Bleacher Report.
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