Top seven storylines for the 2016 NBA Draft

The NBA is much different than other major sports in North American in that its offseason kicks off pretty much the same week as the previous season concludes. This doesn’t give teams an ample amount of time for what are important decisions during the summer months. That’s magnified even more so when it comes to the NBA Draft, which is taking place less than a week after the Finals ended this year.

All that really doesn’t matter right now. Instead, teams are preparing themselves to take part in a draft that boasts some of the best talent we have seen come from the college ranks in years.

Former LSU standout Ben Simmons has been guaranteed to go first overall to the Philadelphia 76ers with the Los Angeles Lakers targeting Brandon Ingram at No. 2. After that, everything remains a crap shoot.

Here’s a look at the top-seven storylines for the 2016 NBA Draft.

1. Philadelphia 76ers trade rumors

We’ve heard reports that Philadelphia is looking to move Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor with the latter being most bandied about within the organization (more on that here).

What might said deal look like and what could Philadelphia potentially receive in return? Those are the two biggest questions heading into draft night.

. The idea behind this would be for the Sixers to draft former Providence point guard Kris Dunn third overall.

This comes on the heels of various reports that Philadelphia has already informed Ben Simmons that he will be the first pick come Thursday night.

So much to look at here. But what we can conclude is that the Sixers are intent on finding some back-court help while alleviating the front-court logjam it currently possesses. By Thursday night, that could very well mean the trade of Okafor or Noel to another squad.

2. Which veterans might be moved?

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly shopping Greg Monroe big time. After just one season with the team, it’s becoming readily apparent that the marriage just isn’t working out.

Though, we really don’t have much of an idea as it relates to what type of package the Bucks might receive in a potential deal.

Set to make nearly $18 million next season, the bounty Milwaukee receives for Monroe will likely represent bottom-rung value. It is important to note that Monroe falling out of favor with the Bucks likely has more to do with a lack of a fit than regression on his part. After all, he did average 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the field last season.

The New Orleans Pelicans could very well look to move starting point guard Jrue Holiday during the draft as well.

Despite averaging 16.8 points and 6.0 assists per game last season, it was another injury-plagued campaign for the former first-round pick. He missed another 17 games to injury, bringing his three-year total of games missed to 103.

This could limit Holiday’s trade value, but that likely won’t stop some point guard-needy teams from making a push for him on draft day.

These are the two-biggest names potentially being shopped come Thursday. This obviously doesn’t mean that other attractive options won’t come to light during the draft itself. Though, the expectation has to be that lesser names will end up being swapped for less-valuable second-round picks. That’s been a theme over the past several years.

3. Big surprises in the top 10

It’s safe to say that Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram will be the first-two players off the board to Philadelphia and Los Angeles respectively. By safe to say, we mean that we wouldn’t be opposed to putting money on it.

In no way does this mean that it’s a lock to happen, especially when looking at the Lakers options under new head coach Luke Walton.

Could the Lakers look to move the second pick instead of drafting Ingram? If so, what type of player(s) would they get in return? We already know the Sixers have Okafor on the trade block, so that could very well be an option.

Though, it makes a ton more sense for the Lakers to continue building through the draft. They have the cash to add a couple top-end free agents while not having to yield any of the limited number of resources they currently possess.

Outside of that, the rest is a crap shoot. The Boston Celtics (third overall), Minnesota Timberwolves (fifth overall) and Denver Nuggets (seventh overall) are all potentially looking to move their picks (more on that here).

Whatever happens there could very well dictate how the remainder of the top 10 plays out following the Lakers selection at No. 2 overall.

4. Boston Celtics’ overwhelming bounty of pick

Coming off two consecutive playoff appearances, the Celtics are in a prime position to build an even more talented roster — one that might lead the team into contention back east. Danny Ainge and Co. boast eight picks in the upcoming draft, including the No. 3 overall pick and three selections in the first round.

There’s no way Boston makes eight picks when all is said and done come Thursday night. Some of those second rounders could be moved for future picks. Boston also has the capability to potentially move back up into the top 10 after making its selection at No. 3 overall.

In addition to this, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team package a couple picks for a veteran player. We covered that above with Okafor, but there are other options out here for Boston. That’s what will make this draft so interesting in Beantown.

5. What will the two conference champs do?

Shortly after the team’s disheartening loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Finals, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob indicated that they would be aggressive during the offseason (more on that here).

What “aggressive” might entail here is anyone’s guess. Though, rumors suggesting that Kevin Durant could be a primary target likely won’t be dying down any time soon. We also know that Durant himself may now prefer the Warriors should he decide to leave Oklahoma City.

With that on the back burner until the start of free agency later in the summer, Golden State heads into Thursday’s draft with the 30th overall pick, a carrot it might be able to use in hopes of another team picking up Andrew Bogut’s contract. This is definitely something to keep an eye on during the draft.

As it relates to the Cavaliers, they don’t own a pick in either round. That’s something the team might very well look to change, either by buying a second-round pick or potentially even moving Kevin Love in a package for a pick and a player.

Without a selection, the Love scenario is what we have to watch as it relates to the defending champs. Could they look to move him in order to free up some cash and add a first-round pick? Based on the talk out of Cleveland, this could be a real possibility.

6. Trade-up scenarios

Which teams might look to move up come Thursday night? We have already discussed the Celtics and Sixers at length earlier, but what about their Eastern Conference rivals in the Toronto Raptors.

They have the ninth overall pick (acquired from the New York Knicks) and could look to package that selection with a veteran for a high-upside player.

A logical trade possibility would be the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 5 overall. We already know New Orleans has put Jrue Holiday on the trade block and is in need of a point guard of the future. What’s to stop the Pelicans from yielding the fifth pick for the ninth selection and Cory Joseph?

Not only would this give New Orleans a pick in the top 10, it would give the team a potential starting point guard to move forward with. From the Raptors’ perspective, acquiring a prospect like Dragan Bender or Jaylen Brown could make sense here.

Another team potentially looking to move up could be the Denver Nuggets. In addition to the seventh pick, Denver boasts the 15th and 19th overall selections in the first round.

The Nuggets are a team that could very well make a push for a final playoff spot out west next season. The likes of Emmanuel Mudiay, Will Barton, Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic stepped up big time to help Denver to a strong finish in the second half of the season.

Adding another youngster to the mix to go with the seventh pick would be huge for this team.

7. The Lakers at No. 2 overall

If Ben Simmons goes No. 1 to Philadelphia as expected, then the Lakers would be beyond dumb to pass up on Brandon Ingram with the second pick. Teaming him up with D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle would give the team three high-upside youngsters at vastly different positions.

Though, is it possible this team looks to get an impact veteran in a trade-down scenario? Look at the Nuggets with the seventh pick as an example. Could Denver package Danilo Gallinari and someone like Jusuf Nurkic to Southern California along with the seventh selection for the No. 2 overall pick?

This is something Los Angeles might have to think long and hard about. Not only would this give Luke Walton two potential starters to team up with Randle and Russell, it would still net the Lakers the seventh pick and the possibility of adding that needed shooting guard, maybe Buddy Hield.

Either way, attempting to draw a conclusion here is based off the premise that the Lakers aren’t locked into Ingram with the second pick. That would be a hard sell right now.