3 Most Likely Players to Be Traded Before the End of 2022 NBA Draft

The NBA offseason may be the most fun time of the year, as rumors keep swirling every day about which players will be traded. 

The 2022 NBA Draft is the first time we really see some movement, and the Detroit Pistons have already traded away forward Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of tonight’s draft. 

With many teams looking to improve their chances of winning a title next season, who are the top trade candidates? 

Let’s jump into the three players that are most likely to be moved on draft night: 

John Collins, Forward, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are looking to shake up their roster after taking a step back last season, and John Collins appears to be the first domino that could go. 

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer revealed that the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks are discussing a John Collins-Dejounte Murray swap ahead of tonight’s draft. 

“San Antonio’s most significant discussions regarding Murray have seemed to occur with the Atlanta Hawks, in a framework that would send Collins back to the Spurs, league sources told B/R,” Fischer wrote. “San Antonio and Atlanta have kicked around that deal concept at least dating back to the February trade deadline.”

Collins has been a solid double-double threat for Atlanta, but it appears the team is willing to part ways with him in order to re-tool the roster to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference. 

Malcolm Brogdon, Guard, Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are likely to continue their fire sale that started at the trade deadline when they moved Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert. 

Center Myles Turner and guard Malcolm Brogdon are both on the trade market, but Brogdon seems to be the player most likely to be moved on draft night. 

The New York Knicks and Washington Wizards have both been rumored to be interested in acquiring a veteran guard, and Fischer believes New York will aim to acquire either Brogdon or Jalen Brunson this offseason. 

“Should New York ultimately fall short in its efforts to lure Brunson away from the Dallas Mavericks, Malcolm Brogdon is widely expected to be the Knicks’ next point guard target this offseason, sources told B/R, not the splashier headline name that is Kyrie Irving,” Fischer wrote.

“The Pacers have most consistently discussed Brogdon trades with the Knicks and Wizards ahead of Thursday’s NBA draft, sources said, but there’s a strong sense of skepticism from league officials that Brogdon would actually be moved to either Washington or New York in a package centered around the No. 10 or No. 11 pick.”

It’s possible that the Pacers could settle for some lesser draft compensation in order to move off Brogdon’s contract and fully turn their offense over to guard Tyrese Haliburton. 

OG Anunoby, Forward, Toronto Raptors 

Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby has been rumored in the trade market for quite some time, and it appears he has a suitor ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft. 

The Trail Blazers, who already dealt for Grant, reportedly are discussing trading their No. 7 overall pick for Anunoby. It’s a lofty price, but it may be enough for Toronto to part ways with the two-way wing. 

Anunoby had a solid 2021-22 campaign, as he averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. 

The Raptors have solid depth on the wing with Gary Trent Jr. and Scottie Barnes, but it’s still surprising that they are willing to move Anunoby. The forward is under contract for the next two seasons and has a player option for the 2024-25 campaign. 

If Portland really thinks a trio of Damian Lillard, Grant and Anunoby can make it a contender, it may come with an offer strong enough for Toronto to part ways with OG. 

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.