The NBA Draft isn’t just the time when the league of professionals introduces new freshmen. Actually, it’s become the wheeling and dealing time of the offseason as the 30 teams gather together and try to figure out how they’ll all improve.
Draft picks can be a crap shoot – even high ones – so a number of teams look to move their assets in return proven commodities. That’ll be the case next Thursday as well. With that in mind, here are four teams that will be willing to gamble their pick at the draft:
Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 14 Overall)
Thunder fans learned firsthand how quickly things could go south and it should be a lesson to management that the franchise should definitely ramp up the urgency this offseason. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook both dealt with nagging injuries, the supporting cast was terrible at times and an Oklahoma City failed to even make the playoffs after being considered to be a legitimate title contender at the start of the season. Durant and Westbrook should be healthy and ready to go for the start of next season and there are some quality pieces already in place, including Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter.
This is a roster that’s almost two-deep at every position and while they have a relatively high pick, they aren’t likely to get someone who can help them right away. That’s why they might be wise to make a move for a veteran. Of course, Sam Presti likes to stash away picks and see what they can do but considering they’ve busted with Andre Roberson, Perry Jones III and Jeremy Lamb, why bother with another? They should try someone who can plug a hole for them right now.
[related_post_one]
Atlanta Hawks (No. 15 Overall)
The Hawks did an excellent job of reloading a year ago and proved how good they are by finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference and making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Bringing back DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap will be the main priority and with Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore back, there are enough quality pieces in place for Atlanta to go all-in to try to win now. The Hawks could improve their depth on the wing in particular Wouldn’t someone like Joe Johnson look good back in a Hawks uniform? They need some steady scoring for the shooting guard position and anyone that’s available and competent is better than stashing a developmental prospect.
San Antonio Spurs (No. 26 Overall)
The Spurs are supposedly entertaining the idea of moving Tiago Splitter in order to open up more cap space to bring back one or more key unrestricted free agents including Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, but even if they do find a way to bring back both of those players, it might not be enough to make another NBA title run. San Antonio desperately needs to upgrade its overall talent level with Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker the only locks for their starting five. The Spurs could offer up a package that includes both of their draft picks and Splitter for an upgrade at the shooting guard spot. With an aging veteran cast leading the way, it only makes sense for them to gamble and go all-in once more this offseason.
Golden State Warriors (No. 30 Overall)
Golden State was undoubtedly the best team in the NBA this past year and with a core that features the league MVP Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodola set to return, the key will be to surround them with as much veteran talent as possible to make another run. The Warriors likely won’t be able to bring Draymond Green back but they could entertain the idea of moving David Lee to free up some cap space. If they can find a partner that can provide cap space, it would make a lot of sense to package the No. 30 pick with some of those players in a move to either free up space to keep Green or to get a role player that could help provide them with even more depth as they reload for another run this summer.
