NBA Draft 2015: 6 Teams That Should Consider Trading Their 1st-Round Pick
First-round picks are precious commodities in an NBA draft as deep as the 2015 class, and there are some teams that should take a long look at offering their assets to desperate clubs to either move out of or higher up in the first round.
Every franchise should at least analyze their bargaining options in the draft, but some clubs would be especially wise to shop their selection(s) in an effort to upgrade their roster.
Whether it's a lottery team aiming to speed up its rebuilding process or a playoff team hunting a critical role player, these squads could leverage their 2015 picks into dependable production. Although this draft crop isn't as star-studded or spectacular as some, it's rock-solid through the lottery and into the mid-first round, so there should be plenty of offers from interested suitors.
We focused on the teams that would benefit most in the short and long term from trading their 2015 selections. Which clubs would benefit from making a swap, based on current roster construction, salary-cap space and upcoming free agents? Find out right here.
Honorable Mentions
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Washington Wizards (Pick No. 19): In an attempt to upgrade their frontcourt, the Wizards could move up to the mid- to late lottery for a gifted big man. Frank Kaminsky and Myles Turner are both prime choices to give D.C. a new dimension of inside-out offense.
Atlanta Hawks (Pick No. 15): After executing a switch in picks with the Brooklyn Nets via the Joe Johnson trade, the Hawks have a mid-first-rounder. They have a chance to package the pick and bring in someone to help push the team that much closer to a title.
Oklahoma City Thunder (Pick No. 14): OKC is in a similar situation to Atlanta. If an attractive yet sensible option is on the table, Sam Presti and Co. could add bench production for a 2016 playoff run.
Utah Jazz (Pick No. 12): Utah has a dangerous core ready to make more noise out West, but it's a good idea to listen to offers for underwhelming quarterback Trey Burke.
Charlotte Hornets (Pick No. 9)
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The Charlotte Hornets have a flawed, inefficient roster, so a young late-lottery prospect may not be the remedy.
With developing pieces like Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston still getting acclimated, it wouldn't exactly be ideal to add another newbie to the mix.
Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker represent solid cogs with which to operate the offense, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a superb role player. But it's been tough for them to lead a group of youngsters, and adding an additional inexperienced face to the mix could make things tougher.
And even though the Hornets traded away the erratic Lance Stephenson to the Clippers in exchange for Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes, they still don't have enough proven pros who can produce substantially.
"Whether the ninth pick would be enough to be the centerpiece of a deal is completely unknown," said Derek James of At the Hive. "An already established player could help push this roster of youth and veteran experience to the next level and back into the playoffs."
If Charlotte doesn't target a reliable shooter or swingman at No. 9, it should strongly consider shopping the pick for a mid-career pro with a productive track record.
Buzz City could look to add a playoff-caliber contributor in exchange for the pick and an expiring contract. Marvin Williams will be an unrestricted free agent in 2016.
Houston Rockets (Pick No. 18)
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The Houston Rockets probably won't find the perfect X-factor at No. 18 to get them over the Western Conference hump.
In this year's draft, a late first-round pick would certainly get them a quality piece, but Daryl Morey and Co. might be better off hunting a well-prepared contributor in his prime.
Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley helps explain why Houston would be wise to venture into the trade market on June 25:
"The Rockets haven't found their third superstar to play alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard. They have some overlap in the frontcourt. And they could be in the market for a point guard regardless of what happens with Patrick Beverley's venture to restricted free agency...Grabbing a mid-tier rookie wouldn't ease the sting of missing a great opportunity.
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Morey doesn't have to swing for the fences and grab a superstar.
With the Denver Nuggets reportedly continuing to entertain offers for point guard Ty Lawson, per ESPN.com's Chad Ford, Houston could present a couple of different combinations of deals that wouldn't mortgage the future.
As Buckley mentioned, the Rockets have a slight surplus of talent in the frontcourt when healthy, so one or two forwards might be dispensable. Pairing them with the No. 18 pick could be a nice offer.
Houston should also consider someone like Brandon Knight, who would be an upgrade over Beverley on offense.
Boston Celtics (Picks No. 16 and 28)
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Considering they have two first-round picks (and an early-second rounder), the Boston Celtics should investigate how far they could move up in the lottery.
Coach Brad Stevens needs a true center with rim-protecting capabilities, so team president Danny Ainge will undoubtedly be perusing all of Beantown's options to snag one.
Instead of waiting to grab a middle-tier center late in the first round, the Shamrocks could try to move up to land a safe, high-caliber tower like Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein.
Boston should have enough resources, including its first-round picks, to barter for the explosive shot-swatter if he lands in the Nos. 5-10 range. After all, ESPN.com's Chad Ford noted the Magic, Kings, Pistons and Hornets (all in the 5-10 range) might seriously consider trading their picks.
WCS would be a superb fit on this current Celtics unit.
Stevens' crew surrendered the third-worst field-goal percentage at the rim during 2014-15, per NBA.com, because they didn't have enough athleticism at the 5. Cauley-Stein will change that in a blink, and his ability to make plays from the weak side should also empower Boston's talented perimeter defenders to be more aggressive than ever.
If Ainge can find a reasonable deal to move up, don't be surprised if he pulls the trigger.
Sacramento Kings (Pick No. 6)
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The Sacramento Kings aren't your run-of-the-mill rebuilding team.
They're much more talented than their 29-win 2014-15 season indicates. Injuries and multiple coaching changes helped prevent the squad from maximizing its dangerous core of talent.
A key trade or two could catapult Sactown to respectability and bring them closer to the playoff picture. With the No. 6 pick in hand, they have enough clout to acquire some critical pieces for the rotation.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated suggested the Kings entertain a suitor like the Boston Celtics if rim protector Willie Cauley-Stein is available at No. 6.
"With Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins in place and having taken Nik Stauskas last season, the Kings could pass on a slew of top-notch wings and frontcourt types and deal the pick to a team like Boston in order to acquire more assets," Mannix said.
With Boston's 16th, 28th and 33rd picks, the Kings could pursue their point guard of the future, such as Cameron Payne or Jerian Grant, and they could also take a flier on a shot-blocker like Robert Upshaw later on.
This is just one example of the type of haul Sactown could get if it's open-minded on draft night.
New York Knicks (Pick No. 4)
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Phil Jackson and Co. would be foolish to not strongly consider their trade options at No. 4.
The New York Knicks' lottery-day tumble might not be all bad if they use the pick to upgrade at center, point guard or on the wing.
Several widely praised prospects will be available at No. 4, but at the same time, they're unproven. If New York doesn't feel comfortable selecting a raw forward (Justise Winslow), questioned point guard (Emmanuel Mudiay) or possibly glorified role player (Willie Cauley-Stein), it should search for an established commodity.
After the lottery, general manager Steve Mills told ESPN.com's Ian Begley that it will listen to offers for the pick. With no shortage of teams tempted by a spot in the top five, the Knicks could see varying types of pitches.
Instead of drafting a risk-reward prospect in the top five or trading for a veteran, New York may trade down to land a safer prospect while accumulating more assets and role players.
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Knicks are drawn to Kentucky sleeper pick Trey Lyles. The 6'10" freshman is a fluid, versatile weapon who has a chance to become one of the draft's biggest steals.
If New York wants to take the point guard path without selecting Mudiay, Murray State's Cameron Payne is its likely target. Begley reported the Knicks are "serious" about pursuing the mid-major stud in this draft.
Philadelphia 76ers (Pick No. 3)
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Although the Philadelphia 76ers aren't in a rush to win an NBA crown, it would be wise for them to see what they can get for the No. 3 pick.
Adding a proven standout pro to their rotation could work wonders for the rebuilding process.
For most of the spring, it seemed like Sam Hinkie and Co. were zeroed in on taking a guard, namely Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell. But now things seem a but murkier. Philly may opt to draft the best player available or look to make a swap and land an established NBAer.
Joel Embiid is the most talented asset in Philly's possession, and the news from Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski that Embiid suffered a setback in the recovery process creates some pre-draft confusion.
Now more than ever, there are buzz and projections for Hinkie tabbing a big like Jahlil Okafor or Kristaps Porzingis.
Should Hinkie decide to shop the No. 3 overall pick, he could package it with other assets to land an attractive wing or guard. It would be great if the Sixers could land a playmaker in his prime like the Denver Nuggets' Ty Lawson, along with other prospects and picks.
A trade like this would help Philly add a known commodity, which is something it sorely lacks, without giving up the whole farm. The arrival of a legitimate NBA weapon with experience would signal significant progress in Philadelphia's seemingly endless rebuild.
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