NBA Draft Rumors: Top Trade Reports Surrounding 2015 1st-Round Prospects

The 2015 NBA draft is two days away, and as the league’s annual event rapidly nears, there is increasing talk of trades and potential deals.

A handful of NBA teams have become popular candidates to make deals in the weeks leading up to the draft. In particular: the Boston Celtics. 

According to Andrew Perna of RealGM, the Celtics are aggressively trying to improve their draft position in order to land former Texas big man Myles Turner. 

"The Boston Celtics are actively attempting to trade up in next week's draft in order to select Myles Turner, according to multiple league sources," Perna said.

The Celtics have been mentioned as a team that would likely move into the top 10. Chad Ford of ESPN reported Boston was trying to find ways to slide into the top 10 picks in an effort to draft former Kentucky standout Willie Cauley-Stein.

Ford mentioned the Charlotte Hornets, who pick ninth overall, as a team that could be willing to make a deal with Boston.

If the Celtics had interest in Cauley-Stein, it makes sense the team would also covet Turner.

Like Cauley-Stein, Turner has the ability to bolster the team’s frontcourt. Last season as a freshman with the Longhorns, the 7-footer averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Power forward Brandon Bass is an impending free agent, meaning the team needs to add talent to its frontcourt. Turner fits the bill, as long as the Celtics are able to maneuver into the top 10 in order to nab him.

Knicks, Pistons Discussing Hardaway Jr.-Jennings Trade?

The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons have discussed a potential Brandon Jennings for Tim Hardaway Jr. trade, according to Ian Begley of ESPN:

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If you're looking for any clues regarding potential draft-night trades, here's one: the Detroit Pistons are said to have interest in trading for Tim Hardaway Jr. and have tried to engage the Knicks on a deal, per league sources.

Detroit may be looking to move guard Brandon Jennings because the organization traded for fellow guard Reggie Jackson last season. Jackson will be a restricted free agent this summer.

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Ironically enough, the Knicks were expected to chase after Jackson, a restricted free agent, this offseason, per Begley.

Jennings is coming off of a torn Achilles, but was seen taking jumpers earlier this month, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

Jennings, 25, is due $8.3 million for the 2015-16 season, which becomes a point of contention for the Knicks, a team that could be active in free agency. Jennings is a free agent after next season.

Darren Hauck/Associated Press

Hardaway Jr. just wrapped his second NBA season. He averaged 11.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in a career-high 30 starts with the Knicks.

In his sophomore season, Hardaway’s field-goal percentage dipped from 43 percent to 39 percent and from 36 percent to 34 percent from downtown.

Porzingis an Option for the Sixers at No. 3?

While there’s a feeling the first two picks of the NBA draft are already decided, the No. 3 selection appears to be very much up in the air. 

According to Ford, the Philadelphia 76ers plan to draft the best player available with the third overall pick. Kristaps Porzingis may ultimately wind up being the selection, but Ford cautioned it could be a ploy to make the Orlando Magic trade up for the pick:

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But Hinkie has always drafted based on the best player available strategy. He doesn't draft for need. So while the team needs Mudiay or Russell more, if he believes Porzingis is the best player on the board, so be it. Or, as one rival GM opined, this Porzingis intel is all a smoke screen to get Orlando (who loves Porzingis) to trade up to three and give Hinkie another coveted asset. I believe Porzingis's camp would strongly prefer he land in Orlando. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the next few weeks.

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Porzingis’ stock has been steadily rising over the past couple of weeks leading up to the draft. Marc Stein of ESPN went as far as to say that even the Los Angeles Lakers have considered drafting Porzingis with the No. 2 pick:

Additionally, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported Porzingis’ stock has been rapidly improving:

If the 76ers were to land Porzingis, they would instantly create a three-headed monster in their frontcourt along with their last two first-round picks, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel.

However, Embiid’s foot remains a question mark heading into the summer. He still needs to get further evaluation on the right foot, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Nonetheless, Porzingis provides Philadelphia with a lot of depth and talent in its frontcourt but does not impact the team’s underlying issues in the backcourt.

Ish Smith and Robert Covington are tabbed as the starters at point guard and shooting guard, respectively.

According to HoopsStats.com, the 76ers ranked 22nd out of 30 NBA teams in terms of points per game from their backcourt (39.9). 

Other potential options to address the guard position with the third pick include D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay. Whether the 76ers draft for need, for the best player available or try to nudge other teams interested in Porzingis remains a question mark.