With the first two picks of the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft potentially locked in, there seems to be a bunch of rumors persisting that those selecting outside of those two selections in the top 10 are looking to move their picks.
Ryen Russillo of ESPN Radio suggests that the third, fifth and seventh picks are most readily available leading up to the draft later this week.
Picks #3 #5 #7 are talked about the most as being available w/ NBA GMs. (Obviously other picks are as well)
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) June 21, 2016
Picking third overall, the Boston Celtics have long been rumored to be looking for a proven veteran with that pick. Just recently, trade talks between them and the Philadelphia 76ers have heated up a great deal (more on that here).
The idea here for Boston would likely to be to add 2015 top-five pick Jahlil Okafor with the selection.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, also picking No. 1 overall, (likely Ben Simmons) is reportedly interested in former Providence star Kris Dunn at three.
It’s the other two picks that the media personality mentions which seem to be a bit surprising.
Picking No. 5 overall, the up-and-coming Minnesota Timberwolves are seemingly in a position to add another high-upside young player to go with a core group that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine.
In fact, if the Wolves are indeed targeting a point guard to replace the shooting impaired Ricky Rubio, there seems to be a decent chance Dunn might be available. If it’s a two-guard the Wolves are looking at, both Buddy Hield and Jamal Murray could be available.
This might be an indication that Minnesota is also looking to add a veteran instead of going the rookie route. New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday is seemingly available in a deal, so that’s a possibility here.
Flush with three of the first 19 picks, the Denver Nuggets are apparently dangling the seventh overall selection. Though, it’s not yet known whether that’s in an attempt to move up from said spot.
Much like Boston and Minnesota, the Nuggets might very well be looking to add a proven veteran with their lottery pick.
What we do know is that Simmons will likely be going No. 1 overall to Philadelphia with the Los Angeles Lakers picking up former Duke forward Brandon Ingram at two. After that, there seems to be a ton of intrigue leading up to the NBA draft on Thursday.