...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The NBA rumor mill is hot right now, and the draft hasn't even tipped off yet.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is Miami-bound. Julius Randle is a Brooklyn Net. And Jaylen Brown's days in Boston are reportedly numbered. The dominoes are falling fast, and with several more superstars expected to be on the move in the coming weeks, franchises across the league are scrambling to position themselves. Tonight’s draft could be the perfect launch point for another big move, with rebuilding teams shopping picks and contenders feeling pressure to act.
Here are three franchises that have the assets, the motive, and the urgency to jump up the draft board before the night is done.
Read More on NBA
More news: Jaylen Brown Told on Himself, Says Stephen A. Smith — and That’s Why He’s Gone
...
Oklahoma City Thunder - Holds picks No. 12 & No. 17
Thunder GM Sam Presti has a history of hitting big on draft night. With the two picks they have, they could still land one of the top players available, but there's some belief that OKC could package both picks to jump into the top 10. The Sacramento Kings (No. 7), Atlanta Hawks (No. 8), Dallas Mavericks (No. 9), and Milwaukee Bucks (No. 10) are a few teams to keep an eye on. The Thunder have been linked to all three of Michigan's frontcourt stars, Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and center Aday Mara. If they feel like one of those might be out of their reach, they could make a move up.
More news: Jaylen Brown Trade Inevitable, Even If It’s Not for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Brooklyn Nets - Hold pick No. 6
The Nets are expected to draft one of the top guards off the board here, with most mocks either having them take Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr., or Houston's Kingston Flemings. Being that they just traded for Julius Randle, it feels more likely they will go that direction. But Brooklyn still lacks a clear identity, and they've been strongly linked to Duke's Carlos Boozer for weeks. If they really want to pair Boozer with Randle, creating potentially one of the best frontcourts in basketball, they'd have to move into the top three, making a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies something to watch.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Hold pick No. 28
Minnesota could be a dark-horse here to move up. After Monday's three-team deal, the organization freed up some cap space, which they used most of to lock up guard Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million deal. There's still speculation they could make another trade on draft night, but regardless, it's clear they need to add more talent around Anthony Edwards. There have been rumors that Edwards might want out if the front office doesn't act fast, and the No. 28 pick won't land them much. But they could package that with another young asset and move up to make a bold swing on one of the top prospects.
More news: Stephen A. Smith Fires Warning at Jon Scheyer After Mavericks Hire Dusty May
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines