Trades could be the headline of the NBA Draft as several teams are aiming to move around from their original drafting positions. Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers have stated they will likely stay put at their positions of No.1 and No.2 respectively. After that, anyone is viable to move. The Boston Celtics are already being linked to a big jump up the boards while the New York Knicks could be eyeing a move down.
According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics are eyeing a jump up to grab someone like Willie Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow as Danny Ainge hinted the team wants a defender in the first round. So who could help them move up or down? According to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, the Knicks could be looking to just down the board in order to select Cameron Payne out of Murray State. Begley reports the Knicks are scheduled to work out Payne in the coming week and are seriously considering drafting him. Payne is not a top-four player which means the Knicks could technically move down the draft board, acquire more picks and still get a player they really like.
Most Knicks fans will not be thrilled at the idea of trading down, but both Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook were acquired with trade downs in the draft. Payne could turn out to be that type of player. Both Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills have hinted they would move down the board if the return package was good. The Celtics happen to be loaded with picks and assets that could be very enticing for New York. The Celtics continue to get linked to both Cauley-Stein and Winslow and that would require a trade up in order to get done.
It is unclear exactly what New York would want in return for the No.4 pick. Boston could offer a combination of players and picks as Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger are their two best tradable assets. ESPN Boston has already reported that both players are considered expendable in trade situations.
It is very possible everyone stays put at their respective spots. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that the Knicks are also very enamored by Winslow and could be favored to select him at No.4 instead of trading down. It is all an option at this point with the draft at the end of June. Both teams will wrap up pre-draft visits by next week and will then begin discussing deals.Trades could be the headline of the NBA Draft as several teams are aiming to move around from their original drafting positions. Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers have stated they will likely stay put at their positions of No.1 and No.2 respectively. After that, anyone is viable to move. The Boston Celtics are already being linked to a big jump up the boards while the New York Knicks could be eyeing a move down.
According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics are eyeing a jump up to grab someone like Willie Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow as Danny Ainge hinted the team wants a defender in the first round. So who could help them move up or down? According to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, the Knicks could be looking to just down the board in order to select Cameron Payne out of Murray State. Begley reports the Knicks are scheduled to work out Payne in the coming week and are seriously considering drafting him. Payne is not a top-four player which means the Knicks could technically move down the draft board, acquire more picks and still get a player they really like.
Most Knicks fans will not be thrilled at the idea of trading down, but both Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook were acquired with trade downs in the draft. Payne could turn out to be that type of player. Both Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills have hinted they would move down the board if the return package was good. The Celtics happen to be loaded with picks and assets that could be very enticing for New York. The Celtics continue to get linked to both Cauley-Stein and Winslow and that would require a trade up in order to get done.
It is unclear exactly what New York would want in return for the No.4 pick. Boston could offer a combination of players and picks as Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger are their two best tradable assets. ESPN Boston has already reported that both players are considered expendable in trade situations.
It is very possible everyone stays put at their respective spots. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that the Knicks are also very enamored by Winslow and could be favored to select him at No.4 instead of trading down. It is all an option at this point with the draft at the end of June. Both teams will wrap up pre-draft visits by next week and will then begin discussing deals.
