2017 NBA Draft: 5 teams that should consider trading first round picks
2017 NBA Draft
Mar 30, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Allen Crabbe (23) react after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2017 NBA Draft approaching, here's a look at five teams that should at least consider trading one or all of their first round draft picks for various reasons.
NBA fans obsessed with player movement experience a bit of a lull from the end of the league's February trade deadline until the draft in June, but with the 2017 NBA Draft approaching, trade season could very well be upon us soon.
While the Golden State Warriors wage their holy war on the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James' chances of ever being recognized as the G.O.A.T. and league parity in general, most teams are already looking ahead to the upcoming draft and bringing in prospects for team workouts.
But from the top of the draft order to pick No. 30, there are quite a few teams who might be better off trading one or all of their first round selections. Whether it's to move up in the pecking order, save on precious cap space by dropping out of the draft completely, or to pull off a blockbuster deal for a superstar, there are several teams that could make a move on draft night this year.
Though the following teams all have their various reasons, and though there are several other teams who could very well surprise us on draft night with a swap, here's a look at five that should at least consider trading their first round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Honorable Mentions: Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers
2017 NBA Draft
Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to right) Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) forward Marcus Morris (13) head coach Stan Van Gundy forward Tobias Harris (34) and guard Reggie Jackson (1) stand during a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
5. Detroit Pistons
The Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers could very well be candidates to trade down in the draft, but with so many talented players to use their top-four selections on, the No. 5 spot on this list goes to a team that's already reportedly looking to trade its first round selection.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Detroit Pistons are open for business at No. 12 if they can land a veteran to help Stan Van Gundy's squad get back on the playoff track.
After a disappointing 2016-17 campaign (not to mention a disappointing three years under SVG in general), the Pistons won't be able to shoot for the moon with their late lottery pick, especially since a veteran's salary would put a heavier strain on the team's salary cap situation with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's restricted free agency to account for.
To be perfectly honest, with Andre Drummond and KCP looking like the closest thing this team has to "franchise players," Detroit would probably be better off using the No. 12 pick on a young piece in a talented draft class.
However, with so much money committed to Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris, Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic, Marcus Morris and (soon) KCP, the Pistons have little chance of unloading all those contracts to start over. The No. 12 pick does little to fix their short-term outlook, and a core with that pick and Stanley Johnson doesn't exactly provide hope for the long-term future. Trading the pick makes sense on some levels.
2017 NBA Draft
Mar 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sean Marks general manager of the Brooklyn Nets talks at a press conference announcing the Long Island Nets D League team before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
4. Brooklyn Nets
All anyone can pay attention to is how the Brooklyn Nets are missing out on this year's No. 1 overall pick thanks to the infamous Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade — and that's probably justified. It gets even worse when you remember the Nets could be doing the exact same thing again next year.
However, general manager Sean Marks will enjoy not one, but two first round selections in this year's draft. The only problem is, they don't come until No. 22 (via the Washington Wizards from the Bojan Bogdanovic trade) and No. 27 (via pick swap with the Boston Celtics).
In such a talented draft class, perhaps the Nets could land one or two rotation players. Maybe they make a swing-for-the-fences pick like Harry Giles at No. 22, or benefit from a first round steal falling to them at No. 27.
More than likely though, Marks will be on the phone trying to see if anyone's willing to trade down in a deep draft if it means having an extra first round selection. He may have a hard time finding anyone who's interested, but don't be surprised when reports start trickling out about Brooklyn's attempts to move up in the pecking order.
2017 NBA Draft
May 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac during a press conference at the Sacramento Kings XC (Experience Center). Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
3. Sacramento Kings
Even with the progress youngsters like Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein showed this season, the Sacramento Kings have needs across the roster.
That being said, would anyone be even remotely surprised if they foolishly traded their No. 5 and No. 10 overall picks to the Sixers in order to move up to No. 3 in the draft?
The Kings would be wise to hang onto their two top-10 picks. If they do, they'll have a chance at snagging a new franchise point guard like De'Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina, and they'd still be able to walk away with a prospect like Jonathan Isaac, Jayson Tatum, Malik Monk or Lauri Markkanen as well.
But if there's one thing we've learned about the Kings over the last decade, it's that their front office can always be expected to mess things up somehow. They are the NBA's living, breathing Murphy's Law.
Unless Lonzo Ball or Markelle Fultz somehow fall to No. 3, Sacramento's best bet would be keeping its two first-rounders. But with two top-10 selections, and therefore, two chances for things to go terribly wrong, the Kings are the most likely team to be able to package their picks and move into the top three.
2017 NBA Draft
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) crosses the logo during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
2. Boston Celtics
No. 1 overall picks should be treated as the precious commodities they are, especially with a prospect as tantalizing as Markelle Fultz sitting atop most draft boards. After finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference this season, the Boston Celtics now have the chance to sustain their success for the long haul by keeping this year's top draft pick.
HOWEVER.
As rare as it is to finish with the No. 1 seed in the conference and the No. 1 overall draft pick, drafting Fultz won't help the Celtics overcome the LeBron James-shaped hurdle in the East anytime soon. With Al Horford on the wrong side of 30, Isaiah Thomas approaching free agency next summer and Boston seemingly one star piece away from legitimate challenging the Cavs, now is the time to strike.
To be fair, maybe the Celtics could draft Fultz and still sign a difference-maker like Gordon Hayward this summer. Maybe they find a way to land a star at a position of need like Blake Griffin. Maybe they consider signing a Paul Millsap or a Serge Ibaka, or maybe they just run it back as is and hope the aging Cavs finally fall off the map.
But outside of signing Hayward or Griffin — which would take some serious salary cap sacrifices — the Celtics still have the tantalizing option of dealing the No. 1 overall pick for someone like Paul George or Jimmy Butler.
Either superstar wing would help the Celtics match up better with LeBron James, and with both the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls toying around with the ideal of a full-scale rebuild, offering the No. 1 pick and the chance at a young franchise player would be a pretty formidable nudge off the ledge.
There are obvious downsides to consider. PG-13's affinity for the Los Angeles Lakers is worrisome with his 2018 free agency approaching, and although Butler is locked in for a few years, Chicago may prefer to rebuild around him than take the long-term approach of building around Fultz.
It's also worth mentioning that Fultz could become a bonafide star and make Boston regret going all in on George or Butler, who still might not be enough to usurp an aging LeBron as kings of the East. You could certainly make a strong case for drafting Fultz and keeping him as the next face of the franchise, even if it means remaining second-best in the conference.
However, the time is now for this Celtics roster to contend. They have the pieces to sustain long-term success, sure, but with King James now 32 years old and the opportunity to land a superstar staring Danny Ainge in the face, Boston has to at least consider trading the coveted No. 1 overall pick.
2017 NBA Draft
May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) congratulates guard Damian Lillard (0) after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
1. Portland Trail Blazers
For any team looking to snag first round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, the "U up?" texts at 2 a.m. are probably already being sent to the Portland Trail Blazers. With three first round picks and $134.7 million on the books for next season (even after the team waives Festus Ezeli), Rip City has no room or desire for three new rookies.
Even keeping one of the team's three selections would likely prompt the Blazers to waive Pat Connaughton and/or Tim Quarterman. That wouldn't be the end of the world in such a loaded draft class, but does anyone really see Rip City using the 15th, 20th and 26th overall picks?
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One option would be the Blazers packaging those picks to try and move up in the draft, but the problem there is finding a lottery team that would be willing to trade that far back, even with three selections on the line.
Another option would be trying to trade the picks individually, perhaps in an effort to shed unwanted salary like Allen Crabbe or Meyers Leonard.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Blazers are open to trade some combination of the picks while also easing their cap situation. The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are reportedly interested, and if the Knicks can be coerced into giving up their No. 8 overall pick, GM Neil Olshey will have done it again. ESPN's Ian Begley reports Maurice Harkless was discussed in talks with the Knicks.
More than likely, this will come down to Portland salary dumps that include a first round selection as an incentive, since keeping all three picks would constitute $4 million in salary and an additional $10 million in luxury tax payments.
No matter what happens, the Portland Trail Blazers are the most likely team to be involved in at least one trade leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft.
