Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic created a major shakeup with their NBA Draft day trade that had Serge Ibaka moved for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and rookie first-round pick Domantas Sabonis. With a rising salary cap, an influx of young talent through the draft and more change on the horizon with money from the NBA’s new television deal set to kick in next season there is bound to be even more change this offseason. Here is a look at the players most likely to hit the trading block after the 2016 NBA Draft.
PG: Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
The Suns reportedly tried to ship Bledsoe and a lottery pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Gordon Hayward at the NBA Draft. They couldn’t get a deal done at the time but that doesn’t mean Phoenix won’t attempt to move Bledsoe at some point before next season begins. The Suns can’t afford to move forward with both Bledsoe and Brandon Knight on their roster so an eventual trade makes sense. The Sacramento Kings could be an obvious option after general manager Vlade Divac made it clear he was looking to find a long-term replacement, especially with Rajon Rondo headed for free agency. The Kings have a plethora of frontcourt options they could potentially deal with Willie Cauley-Stein, Skal Labissiere and Kosta Koufos joining DeMarcus Cousins so it won’t be a surprise if they make a move to acquire Bledsoe from Phoenix at some point.
SG: Jodie Meeks, Detroit Pistons
The emergence of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson has forced Detroit’s hand with Meeks, and the selection of Michael Gbinije in the second round of the NBA Draft gives the Pistons one more option they have to consider. The Pistons reportedly shopped Meeks around at the NBA Draft and while they failed to get a deal done that doesn’t mean they won’t find a trade partner eventually. Meeks is a strong shooter that can contribute off the bench in the right situation but Detroit’s depth at the position combined with their needs in other areas should lead to him being moved at some point this offseason.
PG: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
A potential draft day trade that would have sent Jimmy Butler to the Chicago Bulls reportedly fell through because the Timberwolves weren’t willing to part with Zach LaVine. Their commitment to the young point guard combined with the selection of Kris Dunn with the No. 5 pick are two more indications that Rubio is expendable. Minnesota was reportedly willing to part ways with Rubio as part of the potential deal with Chicago so it won’t be a surprise if they find another trade partner that is interested in the former first round pick. The Timberwolves are absolutely loaded with young talent including Dunn, LaVine and the last two Rookie of the Year award winners in Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns so look for Minnesota to make a move at some point with Rubio headed out of town in order to address a greater area of need.
C: Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers reportedly shopped Jahlil Okafor around in the weeks leading up to the NBA Draft and while they couldn’t find the right fit for a trade partner, that doesn’t mean they aren’t done just yet. Philadelphia has a plethora of young big men with Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, and it appears as though Noel could be the most likely to move based on his perceived value on the trade market. Nobody wants Embiid because he’s hurt and Okafor is still somewhat unknown.
A number of teams reportedly contacted the 76ers about the potential to acquire Noel, including the Boston Celtics, which were asked about the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft before passing and taking Jaylen Brown instead. The Celtics will continue their search for a young star big man this offseason and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they came back to Philadelphia with the hope of luring away Noel. The 76ers might be more willing to move Okafor but if it’s Noel that lands them a substantial talent haul then he could be the big man that eventually moves.
