At least one team is already signaling a willingness to trade down in the NBA Draft. Who could make a deal with them and jump into the top 10?
With only three teams still alive in this year's postseason, most of the league is paying attention to the NBA Draft and free agency. The NBA Draft, in particular, has the potential to really shape the offseason with several teams, including the Trail Blazers, reportedly willing to trade down.
Obviously, the Spurs will not be trading down with anyone in this year's draft. That much is very clear with Victor Wembanyama being the consensus number-one pick in this draft. But after that, we could be in for a long night of Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania reporting on trades from various teams who would want to drop into the top 10 of this year's draft.
Teams who could trade up in the NBA Draft: 3. Toronto Raptors
A trade between the Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers makes way too much sense. The Raptors have tons of championship talent nearing the end of their time in Toronto. The Trail Blazers have the No. 3 pick but need to make a move to surround Damien Lillard with superstar talent.
Also, the Raptors can not take the long rebuild route due to the fact that they traded their first-round pick for next year (top-6 protected) to the Spurs. Bottoming out for a Utah Jazz-like return may not be the best move for a team who doesn't have control of all of their picks for their future. The Trail Blazers would be wise to make this move and see if they can get someone like OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam back to support Lillard.
Teams who could trade up in the NBA Draft: 2. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz could move up even further in this year's draft by packaging the No. 16 pick with the No. 9 pick. They could also use their No. 28 overall pick with the rest of their picks in order to move up into the top 5 or even the top three, especially if they're willing to throw in some veterans who could help the Trail Blazers. The other option would be to use these picks in order to get one for this season and a first-round pick for next season.
The Jazz have already traded away their first-round pick for next season. That pick does have protections — it is top-10 protected this season and then top-8 protected the year after. Still, if the Jazz continue their road of rebuilding this is something to watch.
Therefore, I could see the Jazz reprioritizing their assets by trading up in this year's draft while having a draft pick for next season. Whether Utah trades up further in the top 10 of this year's draft or trade down, it is a pretty good bet to make that the Jazz will make a move of some sort. The Jazz have plenty of time to be patient after their team proved semi-competitive after tearing it all down last off-season.
Teams who could trade up in the NBA Draft: 1. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic already have two first-round picks in this year's draft and could use both of them to move up into the top four. The Magic could use Gary Harris as a veteran to add in a deal that would make. The clear and obvious move would be with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers need to add talent to this team and this could allow them to still make moves later on in the draft. Adding a player like Harris to their bench would start to fix the problem that they have in Portland when it comes to regrading giving Lillard enough help to be a competitive team again.
If the Orlando Magic could move up in this year's draft, they could add a top three player who could add to their core. Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller could be very great fits for this squad, adding an additional core member to go along with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
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