NBA Trade Rumors: Final Outlook on Post-Draft Reports
The 2016 NBA draft featured plenty of movement both in terms of roster players and draft picks, but there are likely plenty of deals still left to be struck as free agency approaches.
Although this year's draft selections are no longer on the table as trade chips, future picks and player-for-player swaps remain possibilities, especially as teams try to add salary-cap space and position themselves to make some noise on the open market.
With the draft officially in the rearview mirror, here is a rundown of some of the hottest trade rumors that could lead to some big deals going down in the near future.
Ricky Rubio
While there is no denying Ricky Rubio's talent, the Minnesota Timberwolves point guard has struggled to live up to the hype that surrounded him prior to being selected No. 5 overall in 2009.
He averaged 10.1 points, 8.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game last season, but his production has stagnated and remained roughly the same throughout his entire five-year NBA career.
With Minnesota selecting Providence guard Kris Dunn at No. 5 overall, there is now incentive to find a trade partner for Rubio.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that even before drafting Dunn, the T'Wolves were shopping Rubio on the trade market.
Minnesota boasts a young, dynamic duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and if Dunn develops into a star in his own right, the stage will be set for an ascent into the NBA's elite.
Rubio is signed through the 2019-20 season, but he may not be part of that development.
One team that could make a run at acquiring the Spaniard, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, is the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers are stacked with bigs, especially after taking LSU forward Ben Simmons No. 1 overall, but they have little to speak of in the backcourt.
Rubio is an awful shooter, but he is among the better ball-handlers and distributors in the NBA, which is precisely what Philly needs.
If Minnesota can pry one of Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel away from the 76ers to pair with Towns in the frontcourt, then it is a deal the up-and-coming organization should strongly consider.
D'Angelo Russell
Guard D'Angelo Russell entered the NBA to great fanfare as the No. 2 overall draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers last season, but his name continues to be at the forefront of trade talks due to concerns over his ability to mesh with teammates.
Russell was infamously part of a controversial incident last season where he videotaped teammate Nick Young admitting to apparent infidelity. That video then leaked on the internet, which led to a great deal of backlash against Russell.
The former Ohio State standout enjoyed a solid rookie campaign on the court thanks to a late-season surge that allowed him to finish the year with averages of 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals.
Russell could be a key building block for L.A., but questions persist regarding whether his teammates can or will trust him.
Because of that, Russell could still be on the move, and the Sacramento Kings are a team that has expressed interest, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
The Lakers already have another potential point guard of the future in Jordan Clarkson, assuming they can re-sign him as a restricted free agent, so Russell is expendable if they can land a big or a more traditional 2-guard in a deal.
Sacramento has a lot of depth up front with DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and the newly drafted Skal Labissiere.
It seems likely that point guard Rajon Rondo will sign elsewhere, which leaves the Kings with a big need at that position. Russell would be a great fit for a young, talented team, but Sacramento may not have enough trade pieces to entice L.A. to make a deal unless Cousins is involved.
Brandon Knight
The Phoenix Suns had arguably the best draft of any team Thursday night, picking up forwards Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss as well as point guard Tyler Ulis, but they likely aren't done reshaping their roster.
Phoenix now has solid frontcourt depth regardless of whether Bender stays in Europe for another year, but it doesn't compare to the glut of talent it has at guard. Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are the starters, while Devin Booker figures to push for a starting job in the near future after a strong rookie season.
That starting spot could open up soon for Booker, as Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reported that Knight is available via trade.
The 24-year-old Knight is coming off a strong season that saw him average a career-high 19.6 points per game to go along with 5.1 assists, but he missed 30 games due to injury and wasn't as productive as Bledsoe.
Knight and Bledsoe are similar players, so dealing one to make room in the lineup for a sharpshooter like Booker is a logical move depending upon the return.
Phoenix's biggest need at this point is undoubtedly a wing scorer, and Knight should be able to net the Suns a good one due to his strong stats and young age.
Knight is capable of developing into an All Star, so trading him comes with some risk, but if the Suns believe in Bledsoe and Booker, then dealing Knight may be the quickest way to get back into playoff contention in the Western Conference.
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