NBA Draft Rumors: Last-Minute Draft Whispers Around All 30 Teams
The final preparations are being made for the 2015 NBA draft. Teams have a good idea of which players they want to take, but it only takes one major trade to flip the proceedings upside down.
Some of the trade discussion will remain just that, as teams opt not to pull the trigger on a deal in fear of missing out on the next big star or not getting a package enticing enough to move up or down.
Whatever the case, here are all of the latest rumblings heading into Thursday's draft, starting with the team that owns the No. 1 pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Locked on Karl-Anthony Towns at No. 1
The drama around the top pick has been sucked out of the draft, at least according to a source who spoke with Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
“It’s done, he’s going to Minnesota,” the source said. “[Minnesota President and coach] Flip Saunders was big on Jahlil Okafor for a minute there and after Karl came in [on Saturday], he decided to work out for them. He only worked out for them, and it’s a wrap. It’s a wrap. They just told him they’re going to take him No. 1.”
Towns has since denied having received any promise from Minnesota, according to Sports Illustrated's David Gardner, but it makes sense for the Timberwolves to select him first. He's been the consensus top player in this class since declaring for the draft and his skill set would be a perfect complement to a talented young team that already has Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine.
The DeMarcus Cousins Effect
If Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl is able to convince the team's front office that moving star big man DeMarcus Cousins is in the franchise's best interest, the Los Angeles Lakers can make an enticing offer.
According to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, the Lakers would be willing to use the No. 2 pick and Julius Randle to get the Kings to bite on sending Cousins to Los Angeles.
The Lakers aren't alone in that pursuit. Greg Dickerson of CSN New England reported the Boston Celtics have already made multiple inquiries about Cousins' availability and "will continue to push" the Kings for a deal through Thursday's draft.
The Celtics have two first-round picks to offer (16 and 28), among other assets, but the Lakers have the best single piece to move: the second overall pick.
All of this requires the Kings to move Cousins, but ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that ownership isn't going to permit Karl to make any deal involving the star center.
A New York-Denver Deal?
The New York Knicks are under as much pressure as any team to hit with their pick—currently sitting at No. 4—but they may not want to select there on Thursday.
According to Sam Smith of NBA.com, the Knicks may be talking trade with the Denver Nuggets:
"One move making the rounds lately has them going to Denver and No. 7 for No. 4 and getting Jusuf Nurkic, the rugged big man the Nuggets got from the Bulls in the two-for-one swap for the rights to Doug McDermott.
Denver then would take one of the point guards, probably Mudiay, enabling them to move Lawson. The Knicks are said to like Kentucky’s Trey Lyles. They also could be interested in shooting big man Frank Kaminsky as Phil Jackson believes in having size with skill.
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Knicks fans understand the roster has so many problems that hitting on one draft pick isn't going to change the franchise's fortunes. The Knicks need to explore all possible avenues to add multiple starters as soon as possible.
Philadelphia Wants D'Angelo Russell
Even though it's been assumed for most of the predraft process, the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be locked on landing D'Angelo Russell.
One thing that could change is when the 76ers get Russell, however. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports the team will explore moving up to ensure the Ohio State star dons a Philadelphia jersey.
"League sources say the Sixers want D'Angelo Russell and are willing to trade up from the No. 3 spot to get him," Berger wrote. "It would create an interesting opportunity for the Lakers, who could still get Jahlil Okafor and extract a future pick in the process."
Other than Towns not going first, Russell not ending up in Philadelphia would be the biggest upset of draft night.
Orlando Playing the Board
While most of the draft-related drama revolves around the top four picks and what Sacramento does with Cousins, the Orlando Magic are just hanging around at No. 5 waiting for things to happen.
However, Mannix reported Tuesday that the Magic are hoping Kristaps Porzingis falls to them. His sources say "Orlando is the preferred destination of Porzingis' camp."
Porzingis has seen his stock explode leading up to the draft, so it's not a given that he makes it to the fifth spot on Thursday.
The Detroit Selection
For the Detroit Pistons at No. 8, Andrew Perna of RealGM.com reports head coach/team president Stan Van Gundy has his sights set on Arizona's Stanley Johnson if the team's first choice is off the board:
"The Detroit Pistons are targeting Stanley Johnson with the eighth overall pick assuming Mario Hezonja is off the board, according to a source.
The expectation is that Hezonja and Emmanuel Mudiay will not be available to the Pistons at No. 8 with the Sacramento Kings (6th) and Denver Nuggets (7th) drafting ahead of them.
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Based on those names, Van Gundy is clearly looking to bolster the team's wing rotation on draft night. Johnson is a long swingman who can defend, but his shooting touch needs a lot of work for him to become an impact NBA player. Then again, considering the Pistons' current depth chart at the 3, they might be inclined to trot him out on opening night and have him learn on the job.
Charlotte's New Strategy
According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the Charlotte Hornets have their eyes on a few players who could be around after they're scheduled to pick at No. 9:
"The Hornets also really like both Kelly Oubre and R.J. Hunter. I'm told they'll explore options to trade back into the mid to late teens if they can land a valuable veteran as well for the No. 9 pick. One team to watch in that scenario? Boston. They've been exploring moving up for a while and would especially be thrilled if Willie Cauley-Stein was still on the board.
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The Hornets need to upgrade their offense after finishing 28th in scoring last season. If they don't feel there's a single dynamic option with the ninth pick, trying to add multiple pieces by moving down makes sense for this franchise.
Indiana Conflicted at No. 11
According to Mannix's fourth mock draft, the Indiana Pacers are torn over whom they want to pick:
"I'm hearing mixed messages out of Indiana. Team president Larry Bird likes Willie Cauley-Stein, but there is strong support for Payne, a dynamic playmaker who thrives in the pick-and-roll. The Pacers have been looking to get more athletic at the point guard position, and Payne fits that bill.
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The Pacers have been a team without a true point guard for a long time, relying on players such as T.J. Ford and George Hill in recent years. They experienced plenty of success prior to the 2014-15 season, in which they were without Paul George for most of the year, but it's easier to succeed with a great distributor on offense such as Murray State's Cameron Payne.
Frank Kaminsky's Floor
While the ceiling for Frank Kaminsky on draft night remains an unknown, Sean Deveney of Sporting News noted the Phoenix Suns at No. 13 look like his floor.
"Kaminsky is among the Suns’ targets in the draft, but there is some question as to whether he will still be around at No. 13," Deveney wrote. "Kaminsky had a good workout and meeting with Indiana, which picks No. 11. Kaminsky has not worked out with any teams beyond the 13th pick."
Kaminsky turned himself into a star at Wisconsin and will be a worthy lottery selection, especially for the Suns, who need to find depth at the center position behind Alex Len.
Oklahoma City Looking for More Picks
The Oklahoma City Thunder didn't expect to be picking in the lottery, but injuries changed their plans. Now, per Ford, the team is dangling some roster pieces in hopes of clearing cap space and obtaining more picks.
"The Thunder are also engaged in numerous trade talks to move down or out of the draft completely," Ford reported.
The Thunder don't have to do much on draft night, as they will be one of the league's best teams next year with the return of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka to play alongside Russell Westbrook.
Atlanta Looking to Move Up
After finishing last season with 60 wins, the Atlanta Hawks want to keep building momentum by potentially moving up in the draft with eyes on Kaminsky, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders:
The Hawks' lack of size showed in the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland, so Kaminsky would certainly fill a need for the team next season.
Milwaukee's Moving Plan
The Milwaukee Bucks were a pleasant surprise last season, finishing with a .500 record for the first time since 2009-10, and they boast an impressive collection of young talent such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker to build around.
However, that unexpected success isn't going to cause the Bucks to rest on their laurels, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times:
"The Bucks are definitely exploring ways to move up. John Henson could be dangled as trade bait, as well as a 2016 first-round pick obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rumors also persist the Bucks would depart with Michael Carter-Williams as part of a package to acquire a top 10 pick.
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Picking at No. 17, the Bucks would seem more likely to find a partner that would allow them to move into the final part of the lottery instead of the top 10. But at least the front office sounds willing to include assets to make something big happen.
Point Guard Fever
This draft has several intriguing point guards who figure to go in the mid- to late first round, but that isn't stopping teams from looking at trade options to land one they really like.
Per Woelfel's report, multiple teams are looking to make a move up in order to get Payne from Murray State.
"There are at least three teams—Chicago, Houston and Boston—contemplating moving up in the draft, with the hopes of securing a point guard, most likely Murray State’s Cameron Payne," Woelfel wrote.
The Rockets (No. 18) and Bulls (No. 22) have a need at point guard, though Chicago's is more for depth purposes because Derrick Rose is still the starter. Boston has Marcus Smart going into his second season.
Houston makes the most sense in this potential trade scenario because Patrick Beverley is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1 and isn't a great facilitator at the point. Then again, James Harden runs so much of Houston's offense that few point guards would be able to rack up a lot of assists.
Staying at Home
Trade discussions are running rampant this time of year, but some teams are happy to stay in place and let things fall into place. A few examples of this rare phenomenon appear to include Washington (No. 19), Toronto (No. 20), Memphis (No. 25) and San Antonio (No. 26).
Ford wrote in his seventh mock draft that the Wizards want to see Bobby Portis, Trey Lyles or Kevon Looney still on the board when they pick.
Dan Tolzman, Toronto's director of scouting, told Dave Zarum of SportsNet.ca that the Raptors can go after talent instead of trying to fill a need because of the way their board is lined up.
“As players come off the board we’ll try not to go below a line to draft for need," Tolzman said. "If, say, we have four small forwards already and our best player available in Tier 2 is a small forward, we’re going to take that guy. We’re not going to reach into Tier 3 if we don’t need to.”
Chad Bailey of The Associated Press (via NBA.com) noted that Memphis' draft decision is affected by Marc Gasol's impending free agency and the need for long-range shooting:
"Players projected to Memphis include 6-foot-6 shooting guard Justin Anderson from Virginia, who could be a nice fit considering he shot 45.2 percent from 3-point range last season for the Cavaliers. Georgia State senior guard R.J. Hunter could be the choice if Anderson is gone. Small forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson from Arizona and Duke guard Tyus Jones also could be considered.
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Re-signing Gasol has to be priority No. 1 for the Grizzlies, though free agency starting after the draft doesn't help the team prepare for the uncertain future.
As for the Spurs, no one ever knows what they will do. ESPN's Chad Ford told reporters during a conference call (via Dan McCarney of MySanAntonio.com) that the team guards that information like it's a CIA-level secret:
"I’m not going to pretend to know (their plans), either. I don’t think they tell anybody. I think people disappear off the planet if they leak that info. Every year we’re scratching around a little. Sometimes there are guys with big mouths on the international side. It sounds to me like, where they’re at (26th overall), it’s not a great spot.
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The good news is the Spurs have such a strong track record in the draft, not to mention 16 straight 50-win seasons, that they get the benefit of the doubt more than any team in the NBA.
One team not listed that may be stuck in its spot by circumstance is Dallas at No. 21. Eddie Sekfo of the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday that the Mavericks would have been keen to move Monta Ellis if he decided to play out the final year of his deal:
"The New York Knicks have had an affinity for Ellis. Other teams, such as Denver, Indiana, the LA Lakers and Sacramento, would seem to be logical fits for Ellis. Those teams all have higher draft picks than the Mavericks.
Were Ellis to rethink his position and stay with the Mavericks, those are perhaps some of the teams that would have made sensible trade partners for Ellis and the draft pick, perhaps for Mudiay?
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However, Ellis' agent said Wednesday his client was declining his player option and becomes a free agent this summer, via ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon and Chris Broussard.
That leaves the Mavericks with one fewer asset to dangle in trade talks and a better chance they sit tight at No. 21 to make a pick.
Teams Want to Move
Unlike those few teams that seem content to stand pat in the first round, others such as Portland (No. 23), Cleveland (No. 24), Brooklyn (No. 29) and Golden State (No. 30) will be happy to get out of their spots.
Starting with the Nets, who love to trade draft picks, ESPN's Marc Stein reported that Mason Plumlee would only be dangled in trade discussions if it gets them into the lottery:
Trying to acquire picks is a huge step forward for the Nets, who don't have a first-round pick next year due to the deal with Boston that brought Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn in 2013.
The Trail Blazers may not like sitting in the late first round, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reported the team has engaged in discussions with Philadelphia about acquiring two second-round picks:
In the earlier quote referenced by Ford, the talent in this draft falls off around pick 20, so the Blazers may be looking to find value in the second round instead of reaching in the first round. Unlike with first-round picks, players selected in the second round don't automatically receive guaranteed contracts, which could help Portland free up a bit of additional cap space heading into a summer in which LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez are both unrestricted free agents.
The Cavaliers and Warriors, fresh off their NBA Finals showdown, may want to get above that 20 line. NBA.com's Scott Howard Cooper noted Golden State has explored deals that would allow it to move up from No. 30:
Draymond Green's restricted free agency is Golden State's biggest concern this summer, but that roster is so stacked that it can play things however it wants knowing it will be in the title mix again next season.
The Cavaliers were looking to upgrade their roster almost as soon as the Finals ended, with ESPN's Brian Windhorst noting the team was shopping Brendan Haywood's expiring contract and, "in some cases," the 24th pick to make something happen.
Complicating matters for Cleveland is Kevin Love's decision to opt out of his contract, as ESPN's Marc Stein reported Wednesday. He didn't bring his All-Star performance from Minnesota with him, but the Cavaliers do know how valuable he is to them and should make every effort to keep him to ensure they get something from dealing Andrew Wiggins last summer.
For the first time in years, the Cavaliers don't have to prove anything to anyone. They can make tweaks to their roster here and there, but as long as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving remain, they will be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Forgotten Teams
The Los Angeles Clippers don't currently have a draft pick on Thursday, while the New Orleans Pelicans only pick at No. 56.
However, both of those scenarios could change before the end of draft night, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders:
Between those two, the Pelicans have a greater need to make something happen. Los Angeles' roster is largely set and able to compete for a top spot in the Western Conference, as it did last season. DeAndre Jordan's upcoming free agency is the only major question mark the Clippers are facing.
The Pelicans aren't a franchise loaded with talent outside of Anthony Davis. They made the playoffs on the back of their star forward and need to add major pieces around him to convince him that signing with New Orleans long term is a good move. He's eligible to ink an extension as early as July 1.
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