The 2023 NBA draft is a week away, so expect the rumors to fly. ESPN’s Jonathan Giovany and Jeremy Woo are reporting five teams who own picks in the middle-to-late first round, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, are looking to move up or down in the draft. The Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Indiana Pacers are the other teams reported looking to make a move in the draft.
NBA Draft Rumors: Insiders Say Lakers and Warriors Among 5 Teams Looking To Swap First-Rounders
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers top Giovany’s list as a team in the middle of the first round who could make a draft day trade. According to Giovany, the Lakers are especially interested in talking to teams that hold multiple picks. Thus, LA could be interested in moving back in the draft. This makes sense because the Lakers only have seven players under contract for 2023-24. They are expected to have ante up to re-sign restricted free agents Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
Los Angeles owns the 17th and 47th selections in 2023. So, given Giovany’s reporting, a trade with the Charlotte Hornets (5), Indiana (5), Portland Trail Blazers (3), Utah Jazz (3), Sacramento Kings (3), and Memphis Grizzlies (3) are potential trade partners.
Charlotte, Indiana, and Brooklyn make the most sense for the Lakers to work out a trade.
Charlotte holds five picks, and they have 11 players under contract for next season. The Hornets have been rumored to be interested in keeping several of their free agents, with RFA’s Miles Bridges and PJ Washington topping the list. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dennis Smith Jr. indicated they would like to remain with the team.
Charlotte has already been rumored to be willing to trade the No. 2 overall pick with the New Orleans Pelicans being the most interested. The Hornets also hold the No. 27 and three second-rounders between 34-41.
Indiana has been contemplating not using all its selections for a while. The Pacers’ No. 26, No. 29, and No. 32 picks could interest the Lakers. Meanwhile, the Nets own the No. 21 and No. 22 picks.
Golden State Warriors
While the Lakers want to move back in the draft, the Warriors reportedly want to move up from their No. 19 choice. Giovany said that Golden State is dangling Jonathan Kuminga as part of the package for a high pick. Kuminga has said that he wants a bigger role this year. But if the Warriors plan to essentially run their team back from last year, that won’t happen. Houston, Detroit, and Orlando are potential trade partners, given those parameters. The Rockets, Pistons, and Magic have been rumored to be willing to deal with their top draft choices. The Magic owns the No. 6 and 11 picks.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is reportedly looking to package their first-rounders (No. 21, 22) to move into the lottery or the middle of the first round. It makes sense for the Nets to look to improve their trade positions as they are in a complete rebuild and need the talent to go along with Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis also wants to move up to the middle of the first round. The Grizzlies have the 25th overall pick and two late second-rounders (45th, 56th). The Griz also has some talent to send as part of a package, like Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams, Santi Aldema, and future assets.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana ties Charlotte with an NBA-high five picks. The Pacers are expected to select an “explosive, defensive-minded power forward” with the No. 7 pick. In that case, they are expected to choose between Jarace Walker, Ausar Thompson, and Taylor Hendricks.
“Everybody wants a four-man that has length. That can guard multiple positions. That can shoot threes and make plays,” head coach Rick Carlisle said earlier in the offseason.
However, the Pacers aren’t expected to make all five selections. Indiana has 12 players under contract for next season and plenty of cap space. They also control the 26th, 29th, and 32nd overall picks, which they could package to move up in the draft.
