NBA Draft Rumors: Last-Minute 2016 Draft Whispers Around the League

According to the NBA draft rumors market, former top-five picks sit on the trade block, as do some of this year's top five selections. 

Those are just the appetizers, too.

It's silly season in the Association, which means it's draft week. The headlining act of Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram and plenty of potential trades serve as a precursor to free agency—otherwise known as the summer of Kevin Durant.

With all 30 teams attempting to make major upgrades, rumors continue to fly higher than LeBron James' block on Andre Iguodala.

With so much to keep up with, let's take a look at the most important nuggets to know.

Lakers Offering D'Angelo Russell?

Leave it to the Los Angeles Lakers to cause a major stir before the draft.

The Lakers have done well on draft day over the past few years, getting Julius Randle at No. 7 in 2014 and D'Angelo Russell at No. 2 in 2015.

With Kobe Bryant gone, that duo is a nice young core for the team to build around—unless the front office deals one of them—especially with L.A. owning the second pick in this year's draft. 

According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the team has worked out Dragan Bender, Jaylen Brown and Marquese Chriss, though concerns over Ingram might encourage the team to pick up another first-round pick. Ford noted these things on SportsCenter (h/t CBSSports.com's James Herbert):

"

And again I think the concern with Ingram is his lack of strength and how NBA-ready he's going to be because of that. I think more likely the Lakers are trying to pick up another pick in this draft in the top five and the guy that they have that they can shop is D'Angelo Russell, a guy who was their No. 2 pick in the draft last year but burned some bridges in the locker room.

"

Presuming Simmons goes No. 1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, it's clear the Lakers have plenty of options with the second pick. Though, it seems just as clear that the front office isn't sure what to do with it.

It's hard to imagine the Lakers trade Russell. He's only 20 years old and posted averages of 13.2 points, 3.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. The team can let him run wild with Randle, a top rookie in this draft and perhaps a major free agent and see what happens.

That is, unless the issues in the locker room are irreparable and the front office would rather start over with a different youngster. Plenty of teams in the league would love a shot at Russell, a high-upside point guard who may be available for trade.

Simmons No. 1?

Speaking of Simmons and the 76ers, it sounds like a done deal between the two parties.

It started Tuesday when Simmons worked out with Philadelphia and this Instagram image from his personal account created a social-media storm:

Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com reported the 76ers indeed told Simmons he'd be the guy:

Suspense killed, right?

Maybe not. There wasn't much in the way of suspense in the first place. The pick was going to be Simmons or Ingram. The former always had an advantage thanks to his perceived upside and an all-around game complemented by an NBA-ready frame—6'10", 240 pounds.

Try as they might, onlookers were always going to have a hard time selling the globe on anything else. Yes, the 76ers have a plethora of big men ranging from Jahlil Okafor to Nerlens Noel and more; but no, that doesn't mean the front office passes on Simmons, who could develop into one of the best players in the league.

It's hard to imagine anyone will announce anything official before the 76ers walk to the podium, but it seems like the world got its unofficial confirmation a few days before the big reveal.

Celtics-Kevin Love Worth Watching Again?

Outside of the Houston Rockets' odd ability to make a major splash when nothing seems possible or likely, it's always worth watching the Boston Celtics and creative general manager Danny Ainge. 

Ainge has built himself quite the haul over the years. His team has too many draft picks in the upcoming event to sign—three of which come in the first round, beginning at No. 3. As a perceived loser of the lottery for likely missing on both Simmons and Ingram, it shouldn't come as a shock to see the Celtics pop up in trade rumblings.

According to Andrew Perna of RealGM.com, Ainge attended an interesting workout recently:

"

Danny Ainge attend a workout with Excel Sports Management clients in New York City recently and met with prominent agent Jeff Schwartz, a league source told RealGM’s Andrew Perna. Schwartz represents Love, as well as Harrison Barnes, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. 

"

Now, part of this is Ainge doing his due diligence, since the folks there also represent Ingram. But Perna went on to offer an interesting tidbit that could wind up meaning quite a lot: "Ainge is believed to have inquired with Schwartz about whether a trade for Love could be revisited."

So there it is. Folks have seen the post-Finals victory hug between James and Kevin Love ad nauseam now, but the fact remains the star forward has always been the scapegoat with the Cleveland Cavaliers, if not an odd fit.

Even so, Love is just 27 years old and a few years removed from averaging a double-double with 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds. Boston has a young core ready to contend but is weak down low.

Dishing the third pick in the draft and other assets to Cleveland wouldn't be a terrible idea, especially if Love gets back to his usual self while acting as the main guy in Boston. It almost makes too much sense not to happen.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.