The NBA Draft usually doesn't have too much movement at the top, but based on the way things have started off this year, there is a good chance some teams will be trading out of the tops spots, including the Cavaliers, Magic and Wizards and some players that may get dangled in deals include Pau Gasol, Eric Gordon, Derrick Williams, Danny Granger and Wesley Matthews.
According to Bleacher Report and ESPN.com, all those players could be on the move heading into the draft, as Gasol has been mentioned in talks with the Lakers, as they would like to move down from the second round into the top part of the first to try and add talent to the roster. Gasol has been mentioned in trade talks for many years now, but after the way the Lakers played at the end of the season, the team may be trying to get younger and the best way to do that would be through a deal that gets them into the top part of the draft. The team is trying to sign Dwight Howard long term and one consequence of that may mean the departure of Gasol.
Gordon has been mentioned in deals with the Clippers and other teams, while Williams has also come up in deals as the Timberwolves may want to trade up from the number nine spot to get Victor Oladipo. The Timberwolves feel that they have a playoff core on the team with Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio and management loves what they have seen in Oladipo and Williams could be the ticket to move up. The team may try deals with the Cavs and Magic, as Oladipo is quickly rising, but if he falls a bit, the Timberwolves could end up pouncing.
The Hawks could be a trade option for the Lakers and other teams, as they have two first round picks right in the middle of the draft and that could be the key part of any deal. The Hawks are likely going to lose Josh Smith in free agency, so adding another veteran player like Gasol or even Williams could make the team look more attractive as they try and sway Dwight Howard and Chris Paul to sign, with or without the tampering.
Gordon has been a name that has come up a lot, as has Wesley Matthews and the Pelicans could decide to trade the star after signing him to a deal after matching an offer from the Suns when he was a free agent. Gordon has dealt with injuries and he has butted heads with the franchise over the past year and since he is a good defender, he is a target for some clubs. He has missed nearly 100 games over the past two seasons, but if he can prove he is healthy, some team may jump out and try to snag him after he led the Hornets in scoring during that time when he was healthy. The Hornets matched the four-year, $58 million offer from the Suns to keep Gordon as a commodity and now that may pay off for the team.
Granger is one of the more interesting options, as he was the top scorer for the team before getting hurt, but after playing in just two games this season, the team may feel he is expendable. Lance Stephenson stepped up and is a cheaper option and Frank Vogel said his starting spot is no guarantee next season. Granger could get shopped as the draft gets closer.
