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NBA Draft 2017: 5 players who could be traded on draft night

By Brandon Jefferson

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) double team Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) double team Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Paul George

Another dissatisfied superstar is the next player likely to be moved during the draft, Indiana’s Paul George. George’s rapid rise to stardom helped the Pacers become a real threat to LeBron’s Miami Heat, but after three tilts in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers could not overcome Miami and it forced the team to break apart.

Ever since then the Pacers have dwelled at the bottom of the East and George was good enough to lead them to a seed between six and eight. George is not going to waste his prime getting swept out of the first round year after year. It is no secret that George has his eyes sets on the Lakers. George’s homecoming seems likely, but that doesn’t mean Indiana has to sit back and let it happen without getting something in return.

They have Myles Turner on the roster so any rebuild wouldn’t start from scratch. George won’t fetch the type of haul he’s worthy of with just one year left on his contract and most of the league believing that his move to Los Angeles is signed, sealed and delivered.

Even as a one-year rental, George would have a major impact on any team that acquires him.

George is an elite two-way player and has no qualms about going toe-to-toe with James, Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard. Though he’s a tier below that trio of players he can help a team vault from first round exit to championship contender with the right roster assembled around him.

Indiana had a good run with George, but for their future the best option is to get all they can for PG and try to build a contender around Turner going forward.

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