NBA Draft Rumors: Latest Buzz on 2016 Lottery Trades and Potential Picks

Let's avoid going too far off the deep end with musings along the lines of "there's a Rose growing in the garden" and on and on and simply say this—the NBA rumors market has kicked off in earnest. 

It seems like it takes forever, but once one rumor becomes reality, the NBA seems to have a domino effect on its hands. Wednesday's deal that sent Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose to New York, according to the Knicks on Twitter, could be just the beginning of a wild frenzy.

With the draft taking place Thursday night, such a notion only gains more steam as teams continue to search for ways to improve besides selecting a rookie. Here's a look at the important rumors to know ahead of the event.

Minnesota-Denver Thinking Deal?

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Denver Nuggets have always been one of the most important teams to watch before and during the draft.

Like the Boston Celtics, Denver clutches three picks in the first round. Unlike the Celtics, most don't seem to care too much about the Nuggets.

That is a problem they want to fix, of course. They want nothing more than to be competitive and a noteworthy name in the minds of fans. Denver hopes the trio of Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic is the first step in the right direction.

Kenneth Faried is another notable name, but it sounds like the Nuggets would rather part with his contract. According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the biggest interest: "Among the teams the Nuggets have talked with that have warmed to a trade for Faried, a source said, is Minnesota."

It's easy to see why the Nuggets want to move the veteran forward. If the plan is to deploy Jokic and Nurkic together, it doesn't make sense to pay Faried to sit on the bench.

Faried works for the Timberwolves if they plan on using him as a starter. He's only 26 years old, but the knock on his game is he doesn't fit the stretch power forward role—he's hit 15 percent of his shots from deep in his career.

Still, if Minnesota wants an old-school presence next to Karl-Anthony Towns down low, Faried is a cost-effective way to go. What makes this wild and worth mentioning is the fact a potential deal could involve two lottery picks, not just one.

Lakers Locked In on Ingram?

The globe has something of a soft confirmation the Los Angeles Lakers will grab Duke's Brandon Ingram at No. 2. 

Days after ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst confirmed a Cleveland.com report that the Philadelphia 76ers will take LSU's Ben Simmons, ESPN.com's Chad Ford and Ramona Shelburne provided the latest on the Lakers and Ingram:

"

Barring a last-minute blockbuster trade offer, the Los Angeles Lakers intend to select Duke freshman Brandon Ingram with the second pick in the 2016 NBA draft Thursday night, league sources told ESPN.

The Lakers spent three hours huddled with new coach Luke Walton on Tuesday night before signaling to multiple league sources that Ingram would be their choice if the Sixers select Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick.

"

It's the best possible move for the Lakers, who get another potential superstar via the draft to build around right away.

Ingram has his drawbacks, such as his coming in at 6'9" and 196 pounds. But he also boasts plenty in the way of pro-ready strengths, such as the fact he shot 41 percent from deep as a freshman with the Blue Devils.

Granted, Ingram won't be a top-tier contributor right away. But he's the third piece, and perhaps the most important, of a young core featuring D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

This is all about timing. The Lakers, for the first time in a long time, should act as major players in free agency. Kobe Bryant's retirement and the ability to ink a max deal help, but so does a three-player core with unlimited upside. 

76ers-Celtics Plotting Moves?

The 76ers and Celtics have come up already because they have been—and will continue to be—the most interesting teams in the process this year.

Philadelphia cut former general manager Sam Hinkie loose but still trusts the process—hence the presumed arrival of Simmons, not to mention two other picks in the first round and an excess of talent underneath the basket that enables the team to wheel and deal.

It's a similar story for Boston. General manager Danny Ainge has constructed a playoff-caliber roster led by a loaded backcourt. The Celtics also have a whopping eight draft picks—three in the first round.

The two kings of excess, of course, sound like they share an interest in working something out, according to Gary Tanguay of CSNNE.com:

This is simpler than one would think. Philadelphia wants the cake and to eat it too, which means Simmons at No. 1 and then a move up for Providence point guard Kris Dunn. Boston is the smart target because the Celtics likely want to move down after landing at No. 3 and missing out on both Simmons and Ingram, barring a Cleveland-winning-a-title miracle.

If the 76ers want Dunn, the best point guard in the draft by a mile who comes in at 6'4" and 220 pounds and is reminiscent of Rajon Rondo, one name comes to mind.

Jahlil Okafor.

Boston has a deep backcourt led by Isaiah Thomas but little in the way of notable talent underneath the basket. Adding a 20-year-old center who came off the board third in 2015 seems like the perfect boon.

With Philly and Beantown boasting excess talent in opposite spots, it was only a matter of time before these two hooked up on the rumors market. How it plays out should be just as interesting as all the wild scenarios one can dream up.

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