NBA Draft Rumors: Teams most likely to trade on draft day
By Tom West
Los Angeles Clippers
To finish, we have to check in on our speciality and look at the Clippers.
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Of course, far more teams than those mentioned could be trading in the 2016 NBA Draft. Rumors are flying left, right and center, the Thunder are now shopping Serge Ibaka (per Marc J. Spears of ESPN), the Portland Trail Blazers are trying to enter the first round, the Celtics may be doing something but we don’t know what, and there generally seems as though there could be some chaos.
In terms of what could be in store for the Clippers, we’ve heard again that they’re calling teams selecting in the teens to offer their 25th and 33rd overall picks in an attempt to move up.
If that’s the case, they could possibly land a pick from a team like the Denver Nuggets (15th and 19th picks) or the Boston Celtics (16th pick as one of eight total).
Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald has recently reported that the Celtics are (of course) open for business, which can only help the Clippers’ chances.
League sources say Portland trying hard to get into first round. Celtics (aka the https://t.co/DcH2s5OS60 of draft picks) open for business.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 23, 2016
Whether or not they can trade up is yet to be seen, but the reported interest from the Clippers is a good sign for fans that Doc Rivers is willing to take on a rookie that can actually contribute for once.
Some possibilities in the teens could still be highlighted by Denzel Valentine or perhaps Domantas Sabonis if the Clippers are incredibly lucky with him dropping enough. At 25 if nothing changes, players such as Taurean Prince and especially DeAndre Bembry and Brice Johnson could be top targets.
Ultimately, an impactful rookie is definitely what they need with such minimal cap space to even attempt to upgrade in free agency.
Next: Mock Draft: How does lottery pan out? Who do Clips take?
The Hawks could be active and the 76ers and Celtics in particular will be looking for major trades, so be sure to keep an eye out on them as the 2016 NBA Draft gets under way. However, even when coming down to the Clippers into the teens and mid twenties, or several other teams for that matter, deals could be taking place.