NBA Draft Rumors: Trade Buzz Surrounding 1st-Round Picks, Prospects
It's draft day in the NBA, and all signs point to a highly active evening. Few things are certain heading into the annual showcase of the league's incoming talent, which could lead to plenty of drama courtesy of high-profile trades and surprising selections.
One of the main reasons for the high level of uncertainty is the low amount of top-end talent compared to the class' significant depth. Teams may need to trade up if they have a specific target in mind, but they could also trade down and still get a solid prospect while picking up other assets.
All the questions will be answered starting tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Before the Minnesota Timberwolves are placed on the clock to start the proceedings, let's check out some of the latest trade buzz from around the league involving the draft.
Philadelphia 76ers Keeping Options Wide-Open
The 76ers currently hold the third overall pick, and Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell has long seemed like the best fit. Yet with the Los Angeles Lakers' direction becoming less clear, Philadelphia has started to prepare for different outcomes.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that the Sixers still have their eyes on Russell. Whether he will still be available at No. 3 is a mystery. The Lakers could potentially grab him or trade out of the spot, which has Philly considering moves in both directions:
"While the Sixers have targeted D'Angelo Russell and are willing to trade up to avoid losing him to the Lakers, league sources say GM Sam Hinkie also has not closed the door on teams looking to trade up to No. 3. The price of doing such business? An unprotected future first-round pick, said a person who has been in contract with the Philadelphia front office.
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If centers are taken with the first two picks, the 76ers should stand pat and take the former Buckeyes star. He fills a need and shot down speculation that he wanted to land elsewhere, via Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com: "It's a great place. Why wouldn't I want to be there?"
Should Russell come off the board before that, it would make sense to trade down to accumulate more assets. Emmanuel Mudiay and Cameron Payne are other point guards who could be available to the Sixers later in the lottery.
No. 2 Pick in Play For DeMarcus Cousins
The Lakers can stand pat with the second pick and get a promising center. Assuming Karl-Anthony Towns goes first, they would then decide between Jahlil Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis. That said, it sounds like Los Angeles may be angling for a bigger fish: DeMarcus Cousins.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers and Sacramento Kings have discussed the framework for a trade involving the 24-year-old All-Star post player. The Kings are targeting several key pieces for the future, including the No. 2 selection:
"Kings vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac has pursued a possible deal that would include a bevvy of assets, including the Lakers' No. 2 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson and other draft assets, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Sacramento also would want to unload the remainder of forward Carl Landry's two years, $13.5 million contract, league sources said.
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Cousins was outstanding for the Kings this past season. He averaged 24.1 points and 12.7 rebounds, which helped him rank ninth in the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating, according to ESPN.com. So it's no surprise Sacramento's asking price is sky-high.
The question is whether the Lakers want to give up those assets while also taking on Landry's contract, which will lessen their offseason flexibility, to land Cousins. It's the type of risk-versus-reward move that would define their rebuilding effort.
Boston Celtics Target Trade-Up For Rim Protector
The Celtics exceeded most expectations to reach the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference last season, but there's still plenty of work left to do before they get back into contention. One of the biggest things on the to-do list is a player who can protect the paint.
Myles Turner is a high-upside prospect who fits the bill. But Boston is scheduled to pick 16th, and NBADraft.net projected the Texas star to come off the board at No. 10.
In turn, Real GM reported that the Celtics are looking to trade up, with Turner as their target: "The Celtics have one of the deepest collections of future draft assets in the entire NBA, with as many as four potential first-rounders in 2016, which gives them considerable flexibility in attempting to move up."
Jared Sullinger led the team in blocks at just 0.72 per game. Giving up easy looks down low is a major reason the Celtics ranked in the bottom third of the league in points against. Turner is a terrific athlete who averaged 2.6 blocks in his only season in the college ranks.
He's still a raw talent overall and is going to need some coaching to become more consistent at the offensive end. His defense is what makes him an attractive option in the lottery, and it would be hard to fault a team with shot-blocking needs like Celtics for making a deal to land him.
