NBA Draft Rumors 2014: 76ers, Bucks, Magic & Jazz unlikely to trade picks
The 2014 NBA Draft should be very interesting. There doesn’t seem to be a clear cut number one overall pick and it would not be a surprise if any of the top three prospects – former Kansas Jayhawks’ center Joel Embiid, his collegiate teammate, forward Andrew Wiggins or former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker (and maybe a fourth in Australian point guard Dante Exum) – could be selected with the first pick.
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According to ESPN.com’s Chad Ford, there are a surprising amount of lottery picks that can be had in a trade this year.
"Multiple league sources say that there are a surprising number of top picks for “sale” this year. “I thought getting a lottery pick via trade would be virtually impossible this year,” one NBA GM told Insider. “It’s not. There are a lot of teams in the lottery right now that would prefer a proven player. A lot of owners have lost their patience with the rebuilding process."
However, the teams that hold the second-overall through fifth-overall in the draft, the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz likely won’t trade their picks.
"Among the teams that would be open to trading their lottery pick? It’s highly likely that the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz are all holding onto their picks."
Each team is rebuilding around young talent, so trading for a veteran would completely deviate from the plans they are attempting to execute. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the first overall pick, could be open for business.