NBA

Your Major Trade-Related Storylines Heading Into Thursday Night’s NBA Draft

by Evan Sporer | 7:21 pm, June 27th, 2012

Every year we wonder when all of the crazy trade rumors we hear about entering the NBA Draft will finally come true. This year, per usual, there is no shortage of wild conjecture – much of it having little to do with the draft prospects themselves. In case you missed some of it, here’s a recap of the major buzz around the NBA:

Dwight Howard

The Houston Rockets are on a war path to stockpile draft picks to acquire the NBA’s best big man. A few days ago, the Rockets had two first round picks (14 and 16). Then Houston acquired the 18th pick. Then Houston packaged the 14th pick for the 12th pick. At this second, Houston owns the 12th, 16th and 18th picks (we can’t really speak for what those will turn into in the next 10 minutes).

Other teams that have been linked to Dwight recently are the Lakers, and Nets. And speaking of the Nets…

Deron Williams

D-Will is a top-five point guard in the NBA, a bona fide stud, and a game changer. Many have speculated whether he and Dwight will team up in Brooklyn, team up in Houston, or team up in Dallas. The Nets, for their part, have already made their (desperate) intentions to keep Deron public. Williams is reported to be deciding between Brooklyn and Dallas. And speaking of Dallas…

Lamar Odom

In keeping up with the Kardashians, we figured we’d drop a Lamar Odom update – Odom has reportedly garnered interest from the Clippers. The former winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award never quite panned out in Dallas after leaving the Lakers. And speaking of the Lakers…

Pau Gasol

The Lakers’ on-again-off-again desire to trade Pau Gasol went from cute to gross a while ago, but Pau is again rumored to be on the move, setting the stage for Andrew Bynum to dominate the paint for the Lakers… unless Pau is dealt to Orlando for Dwight Howard. Other intriguing Pau rumors include a trade to the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith, and Pau going to the aforementioned Rockets. Earlier rumors had Pau going to the Chicago Bulls for a package including Luol Deng. The Lakers are hoping to retool a talented roster coming off two straight conference semifinal losses. Los Angeles, as well as everyone else, are looking up at the Miami Heat. And speaking of the Heat…

Ray Allen

The NBA’s all-time most prolific three-point shooter looks, at this moment, a good bet to join the Heat. If he does, Allen will provide the Heat with a perimeter threat, which should make double teams of LeBron and Wade much less effective – Mike Miller showed the world how lethal accurate shooters can be in the Heat’s offense. There were also rumors the Heat were thinking of making a run at an elite point guard…

Steve Nash

The two-time MVP winner will hit free agency, and want to play for a winner. Nash, who has never won an NBA title, has some options. The Heat, Knicks, and Nets were all reportedly interested. The Bulls at one point were also cited as a possible destination for Nash, as Chicago will be without former MVP Derrick Rose for the start of the season. And of course, the NBA’s north-of-the-boarder team (the Raptors) have thrown their name in the hat. But Nash has made it clear he wants to play for a winner, and still wants to make a decent salary.

And finally…

The Oklahoma City Thunder

What would an NBA Draft be without Sam Presti and the Thunder cooking up some elaborate scheme? Bradley Beal, who some have projected to go as high as number two come Thursday night, said Presti told the ex-Gator he was interested in drafting Beal. Michael Jordan and the Bobcats are reportedly shopping the number two pick. Will a deal get done?