NBA Post-Draft Trade Rumors

The NBA Draft is a way for a team to fill in a team need or a way to get talent to build around. So far Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford were swapped in a blockbuster deal and this is just the beginning of what may happen during this summer.

Derrick Rose was taken with the No. 1 overall pick to be brought in as the new franchise player. The only problem here is Kirk Hinrich is the starting point guard. Well, I'm sure Hinrich figured out his days in Chicago are numbered by now.

Hinrich had an off season last year, and so did the rest of his team, however, he is still a legit NBA starting point guard. Rumors had it they might use Rose and Hinrich in the back court together, but with Hinrich having trade value, expect them to get rid of him.

The Denver Nuggets lead the list on potential suitors for Hinrich. A swap between Marcus Camby and Hinrich is a possible trade. The Bulls need a center and the Nuggets need a point guard. Camby has been on the block since the season ended and the Bulls have been interested for a while. This trade would work out for both teams.

Another possibility is with the L.A. Clippers trading former Bulls forward Elton Brand for Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas. They did not pull the trigger on KG and have been getting heat for that ever since. They have to make the push for Brand while he can be the low post threat they badly need. The Clippers will get a point guard to go along with the young and talented Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, and Chris Kaman.

The Sacramento Kings could use a point guard like Hinrich in their rebuilding process. A situation that is sort of out of the picture is sending Hinrich for Brad Miller and a first round pick. In doing this, the Bulls would get a solid veteran center that can pass and take pressure off the back court.

The Kings can let first round picks of last two years Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson to take over the front court for the future. I had not heard any rumors on anything like this happening but I'm just throwing it out there.

With the second pick in the draft the Miami Heat took Michael Beasley over O.J. Mayo. Pat Riley seemed like he was content with Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem, but the whole organization may feel they had to rebuild with young talent. Beasley coming in can mean one of two things: Marion or Haslem are getting traded.

From an inside source, Pat Riley has been interested in getting Baron Davis. A possible trade scenario would be swapping Marion and Davis as their contracts match each other. The Heat would get one of the best back courts in the NBA and the Warriors will get a player who fits their system perfectly and can help them defensively.

If Haslem is the one out, a perfect scenario would be trading him to the Magic for J.J. Redick and Tony Battie's large expiring contract. The Magic get a must needed forward who would play perfectly next to Dwight Howard. This would take pressure off Rashard Lewis while he can play his true position as a SF.

The Heat would get a shooter off the bench which can replace what Damon Jones and Jason Kapono used to give them. Tony Battie is also a solid player that can help add depth.

With the Pacers bringing in T.J. Ford, Jamal Tinsley has been shopped by Larry Bird for a couple of days now. A good fit for Tinsley would be the Phoenix Suns where he can back up Steve Nash. The Suns could trade Boris Diaw and also receive a first round pick in return.

This also allows Barbosa to play true position of SG off the bench. The Pacers get their young core together as they will head back to the playoffs.

Monta Ellis has been rumored to be traded to the Knicks. I cannot expect the Warriors ever getting rid of him, but if they decide to keep Baron Davis around they could manage to resign Ellis and trade him for a low post scorer of Zach Randolph. The Warriors will show that their trying to win it now with a 20 and 10 player. The Knicks get a perfect point guard for them under Mike D'Antoni with Ellis.

With D.J. Augustine being brought in, this may mean Raymond Felton's days in Charlotte are done. The Knicks have been rumored to liking Felton. A possibility is trading Felton for David Lee, Jarred Jeffries, and a first round pick. The Bobcats get added depth and a solid PF with Lee who can compliment Okafur.

The Knicks would get their point guard who really showed promise last year. I would not expect the Bobcats to trade Felton, at least not until they see how good D.J. Augustine really is.

There are a number of free agents out there and many of these teams and others will attempt to pick them up. Making trades is the other way that can clear cap space or can get rid of unwanted players. Expect this summer to be full of blockbuster deals.