NBA Trade Rumors: Examining Top 2015 NBA Draft-Day Buzz
It's finally NBA draft day, which means it's time to learn whether trade rumors will become reality or get chalked up as a byproduct of the Association's silly season.
Examining last-minute rumblings, it's becoming clear this year's draft could be one of the more hectic in recent memory for a couple of reasons. Not only do the top five picks remain unsettled due to uncertainty surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, but postseason qualifiers from last season appear to be eyeing moves up in the order.
Sifting through the moving and shaking that could take place Thursday night, it's time to examine the potential ramifications and how depth charts could change as a result.
Spurs Discussing a Move Up
The San Antonio Spurs haven't made a pick in the lottery since selecting Tim Duncan No. 1 overall in 1997, and that trend figured to hold this year after the 2014 champions were bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
However, there's a chance that streak is snapped if the Spurs can facilitate a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy:
Kennedy reiterated the Spurs and Thunder are merely having discussions at this stage, but the framework of such a deal is certainly interesting at first glance.
The Spurs figure to have several holes to fill in free agency, including shooting guard. Danny Green and Marco Belinelli are both unrestricted free agents, and Manu Ginobili could decide to retire at the age of 37.
With swingmen like R.J. Hunter, Rashad Vaughn and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson presumably available toward the back end of the lottery, the Spurs could bolster their future prospects by sneaking up and snagging a solid scorer or additional wing defender who wouldn't be available at No. 26 overall.
Boston Seeking a Top-10 Selection
The Boston Celtics are simply stacked with assets in the form of draft picks, including two first-round selections this season.
And with a wheeling-and-dealing machine like Danny Ainge occupying the general manager's seat in the war room, don't be surprised if the Celtics try and shake things up, according to CBSSports.com's Ken Berger:
"The Celtics are proving to be the most aggressive team trying to trade into the top 10, league sources say. Boston has the 16th and 28th pick Thursday night, and GM Danny Ainge also is willing to discuss anyone on the roster in a bid to acquire a premium pick. Sacramento (No. 6), Denver (No. 7) and Charlotte (No. 9) could be open to dealing, sources say.
"
The Celtics have been so aggressive in their pursuit of a move up that Ainge has made it publicly known he's trying to snag a lottery-bound talent.
"We're having discussions to move up with both of our picks in the first round," Ainge told reporters Tuesday, according to ESPN.com's Chris Forsberg. "We're trying to move up with at least one of them. I think there will be some movement."
Boston is in dire need of a rim protector and some more floor spacing, so a move up could see the Celtics target a shot-blocker like Willie Cauley-Stein or an athletic swingman like Croatia's Mario Hezonja.
And if need be, the Celtics have a stockpile of picks to use as sweeteners. Next year alone, the Celtics could own four first-round picks, including their own, an unprotected selection from the Brooklyn Nets, a top-seven protected pick from the Dallas Mavericks and a top-12 protected pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves (via the Phoenix Suns).
Miami Trying to Clear Cap Space?
Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are facing some monumental decisions this summer, each of which will have significant bearing on the team's balance sheet.
Thus, Berger reports Miami has considered parting with its draft pick and packaging it with a bloated contract as a way to obtain some cap relief:
"The Heat, needing to preserve flexibility after re-signing Goran Dragic and potentially Dwyane Wade this summer, are open to trading the 10th pick if it means unloading salary. (Josh McRoberts, for example, is owed $17 million over the next three years.) But with a pick that high in a deep draft, it's a gamble that likely will give Pat Riley pause.
"
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, "the Heat are planning to offer Dragic a five-year deal in excess of $80 million to keep him in Miami."
Assuming that holds true, Miami will then need to navigate the choppy waters surrounding Dwyane Wade, whose "trust in the Heat has been damaged by Miami’s stance in contract negotiations," according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.
In order to repair that relationship, the Heat may have to part with some serious cash.
Sprinkle in Luol Deng's ability to decline a $10.1 million player option for next season and the hefty sum Miami will be forced to pay next summer if it hopes to retain burgeoning big man Hassan Whiteside, and Miami's draft day could take some wild twists and turns.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
