2017 NBA Draft Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Checking In On Traded 2017 Draft Picks

January 3rd, 2017 at 9:02am CST by Luke Adams

Depending on how active this year’s trade deadline is, we could see a number of first- and second-round draft picks change hands next month. But even if that doesn’t happen, there will be plenty of 2017 picks on the move. Many of those traded picks come with certain protection criteria, as we detailed back in September when we took a closer look at the first-rounders and second-rounders that have already been dealt.

With the 2017 draft inching closer and the February trade deadline just several weeks away, it’s worth checking in to see how this year’s standings have affected those traded picks. If a team knows it will likely have an extra pick or two coming its way in 2017, it could impact what sort of moves that club is willing to make at this year’s deadline.

So, using our 2016/17 Reverse Standings, here’s a breakdown of how the traded draft picks for 2017 would look if the season ended today and the lottery standings held to form:

First Round:

Conveyed:

Celtics would swap No. 21 pick for Nets‘ No. 1 pick (swap rights).
Sixers would receive No. 7 pick from Lakers (top-3 protected).
Bulls would receive No. 15 pick from Kings (top-10 protected).
Nuggets would receive No. 23 pick from Grizzlies (top-5 protected).
Raptors would receive No. 24 pick from Clippers (top-14 protected).
Jazz would receive No. 30 pick from Warriors (unprotected).

Not conveyed:

Sixers would not have opportunity to swap No. 2 pick with Kings‘ pick (swap rights; 11-30 protected). Sacramento’s obligation to Philadelphia would be extinguished.

Second Round:

Conveyed:

Hawks would receive No. 31 pick from Nets (unprotected).
Pelicans would receive No. 32 pick from Sixers (unprotected).
Grizzlies would receive No. 33 pick from Heat (41-60 protected).
Celtics would receive No. 36 pick from Timberwolves (unprotected).
Rockets would receive No. 39 pick from Nuggets (unprotected).
Rockets would receive No. 40 pick from Trail Blazers (unprotected).
Sixers would receive No. 41 pick from Pistons. May be No. 42 pick, depending on coin flip.
Jazz would receive No. 43 pick from Knicks.
Knicks would receive No. 46 pick from Bulls (unprotected). May be No. 47 pick, depending on coin flip.
Nets would receive No. 51 pick from Celtics (31-45 protected; contingent on Celtics swapping first-rounders with Nets).
Nuggets would receive No. 52 pick from Thunder (31-35 protected).
Nuggets would receive No. 53 pick from Grizzlies (31-35 protected).
Celtics would receive No. 54 pick from Clippers (unprotected).
Knicks would receive No. 57 pick from Rockets (unprotected).
Celtics would receive No. 58 pick from Cavaliers (unprotected).
Sixers would receive No. 60 pick from Warriors.

Not conveyed:

Hawks would not receive No. 33 pick from Heat (31-40 protected). Miami would owe Atlanta its 2018 second-round pick (unprotected).
Timberwolves would not receive No. 38 pick from Pelicans (31-55 protected). New Orleans’ obligation to Minnesota would be extinguished.
Magic would not receive No. 45 pick from Kings (31-55 protected). Sacramento’s obligation to Orlando would be extinguished.
Nets would not receive No. 46 pick from Pacers (45-60 protected). Indiana would owe Brooklyn its 2018 second-round pick (45-60 protected).
Spurs would not receive No. 49 pick from Hawks (31-55 protected). Atlanta’s obligation to San Antonio would be extinguished.

RealGM.com’s database of traded draft picks was used in the creation of this post.

Sixers Notes: Simmons, Bayless, Lakers’ Draft Pick

December 25th, 2016 at 10:16am CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers‘ overstocked frontcourt has been drawing headlines this season, but what the team really needs is help at point guard, writes Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia had planned to let rookie Ben Simmons run the offense with newly acquired Jerryd Bayless providing a veteran counterpart in the backcourt. However, Simmons’ fractured foot and Bayless’ wrist injury have forced the Sixers to turn over point guard duties to Sergio Rodriguez and T.J. McConnell.

“We started the season with Jerryd Bayless as our starting point guard and Ben Simmons was going to share some of that and be starting at a four. We lost them both for, so far, the season and we’re obviously reevaluating Ben,” said coach Brett Brown. “So you have what used to be your second point guard and your third point guard now lifted a shelf higher and the expectations of grabbing that position come with it. I think that under the circumstances they’ve been very good. Now you need a starting guard.”

There’s more this morning out of Philadelphia:

Bayless tried for two months to heal the torn ligaments in his left wrist without surgery, relays Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly. Bayless, who signed a three-year, $27MM deal over the summer, first hurt the wrist in training camp. He tried to play through the pain, but managed just three games. “That’s why I was trying to push it off,” Bayless said. “That was the goal, to try to avoid it at any cost. From the beginning I knew it was going to be season-ending, but I decided to do it. It’s unfortunate, but at the same time I’m glad I’m getting it fixed now and I can move on from it.” Bayless underwent an operation December 15th to have three pins inserted in the wrist and must keep it immobilized for 12 weeks.
The Sixers are still waiting for the draft choice that was part of the Michael Carter-Williams trade nearly two years ago, writes Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly. In February of 2015, Carter-Williams was sent to the Bucks in a three-team deal, with Philadelphia receiving a protected Lakers pick from Phoenix. It was top-five protected in 2015 and top-three protected last season, and L.A. kept it both times. It is top-three protected again this year, and with the Lakers seventh in our Reverse Standings at 11-22, it’s possible the Sixers will have to wait even longer. If L.A. remains No. 7, it would have a 15% shot at getting a top three pick in the draft lottery. The choice will become unprotected in 2018.

Atlantic Notes: Noel, Sixers, Noah, Celtics

December 18th, 2016 at 10:42pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Sixers’ decision to remove Nerlens Noel from the rotation is baffling and short-sighted, Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. The team didn’t even attempt to take a long look at him playing alongside either Joel Embiid or Jahlil Okafor before benching him, Cooney continues. Philadelphia’s coaching staff and front office simply quit on the process of trying to mesh the skills of the three big men and that doesn’t send a good message to the other players, Cooney adds. Cooney hedged on his position, saying there might be something more to the decision than has been revealed publicly.

In other developments around the Atlantic Division:

The Sixers’ chances of getting the Lakers’ first-round pick have dropped from 91% to 66.6% because of Los Angeles’ losing streak, according to Neil Johnson of ESPN Analytics. The Lakers originally dealt the pick to the Suns in 2012 while acquiring guard Steve Nash. Philadelphia acquired the pick in 2015 in a three-way deal with the Suns and Bucks. The pick is top three protected in the next draft and unprotected in 2018. The Lakers’ expected draft position per BPI is currently 4.8, according to Johnson, meaning the Sixers would get the No. 4 or No. 5 pick from L.A. if the odds hold up.
Joakim Noah has been a major bust and the Knicks center may soon lose his starting job, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Coach Jeff Hornacek said to Berman and other media members that Noah’s starting status is “something we have to keep our eye on.’’ Noah, who was signed to a four-year, $72MM contract as a free agent, has been a major liability on offense, which more than offsets the occasional energy boost he provides with his rebounding and defense, Berman adds.
Teams have a better chance of retaining their top free agents under the new CBA and that could hurt the Celtics’ chances of becoming a top contender, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald opines. The Celtics were able to land Al Horford and make a serious run for Kevin Durant but that probably wouldn’t have happened if the new CBA had been in place this past summer, Bulpett continues. It will be tougher to attract top free agents in the future, which will force the Celtics to rely on trades and the draft to improve, Bulpett adds.

And-Ones: I. Austin, Sims, B. Paul, 2017 Draft

December 13th, 2016 at 4:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Baylor standout Isaiah Austin was recently cleared to play basketball again, after having his NBA hopes initially derailed when he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. Still, although Austin is free to sign anywhere, executives are generally taking a “relaxed approach” to his planned comeback, writes Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. Austin was viewed as a borderline first-round prospect back in 2014, and some executives around the NBA are approaching his reported medical clearance with caution.

“What reversed the decision?” one NBA general manager said to Howard-Cooper. “How did it come to be that now he can play? We don’t even know how. Yeah, that’s what I’d be curious about. I’m not saying [Austin found a single doctor willing to clear him], but I’ve seen this before. You can find someone to tell you that you can play. Somebody will.”

As Howard-Cooper details, another GM suggested that teams wouldn’t rush to look into Austin’s situation, but added that those teams may be intrigued: “I’ve never heard anybody (in the NBA) talk about any skepticism on that because I don’t think he’s on people’s radar like that. I don’t think there’s a buzz like, ‘Whoa, now he’s been declared healthy. Is he really healthy?’ I don’t think people are looking at it that way. I think people are more ‘OK, that’s interesting.’ I can see maybe someone trying to do a feel-good story, liking a little bump from a PR standpoint. Maybe someone does a short-term contract with him and brings him in.”

As we wait to see Austin can land a basketball contract, perhaps in the D-League or elsewhere, let’s check in on a few other odds and ends…

The NBA D-League has accepted a buyout of Henry Sims‘ contract, as well as Quincy Douby‘s deal, reports Adam Johnson of D-League Digest (Twitter links). It’s not yet clear what the next step is for either former NBA player, but they may end up heading overseas.
One player heading overseas is swingman Brandon Paul, who was in camp with the Sixers this fall. As Emiliano Carchia of Sportando writes, Turkish club Anadolu Efes Istanbul has agreed to a deal with Paul to replace Bryce Cotton on its roster.
In a piece for Basketball Insiders, Michael Scotto takes an early look at next year’s potential draft class, exploring whether we might see three Kentucky freshman come of the board as 2017 lottery picks. As Scotto outlines, Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, and Edrice Adebayo could become the Wildcats’ third trio since 2010 to achieve that feat.

Checking In On Traded 2017 First-Round Picks

November 22nd, 2016 at 11:48am CST by Luke Adams

We’re not even a month into the 2016/17 NBA season yet, but based on what we’ve seen over the last four weeks, it’s becoming clearer which teams will be in contention for the rest of the season, and which clubs might fall out of the hunt sooner rather than later.

The standings so far also provide some interesting possibilities for the 2017 NBA draft, since several teams have traded first-round picks for ’17 — some of those traded picks are tied to conditions related to team performance, so it’s worth checking in to see how things look in the early going.

Using our list of traded 2017 first-rounders as a point of reference, here’s what we know – or think we know – so far:

The picks acquired by the Jazz and Raptors are on track to be very late first-rounders

Utah landed a first-round pick from Golden State, and Toronto will acquire the Clippers’ first-rounder if it falls outside the top 14. So far, the Clippers and the Warriors own the NBA’s top two records, meaning the Jazz and Raptors would be in line to acquire the final two picks of the first round — Nos. 29 and 30.

The Nuggets should get a first-round pick from the Grizzlies

Even with offseason signee Chandler Parsons battling knee issues again, Memphis is off to a solid start this season, with a 9-5 record. Last year, the Grizzlies managed to earn a playoff spot even after several key players went down with injuries, and this year’s team looks like it should be in the playoff hunt again. That means the Grizzlies’ first-round pick will likely head to Denver, since the Nuggets will acquire it if it falls outside of the top five.

The Celtics will almost certainly swap first-round picks with the Nets

Boston struggled a little to start the season, and the Nets picked up a few early victories, but the C’s are currently 3.5 games ahead of Brooklyn, and figure to increase that gap as the season goes on. The Celtics have the right to swap picks with the Nets, and barring a huge surprise, the only real drama here will be how high that Brooklyn pick lands — the team is currently tied for the NBA’s fifth-worst record.

The Sixers should get the Lakers’ first-round pick

Expectations were low for the Lakers heading into the season, but the club has played very well in the early going under new head coach Luke Walton, and currently sits in a playoff spot in the West, with a 7-7 record. Even if the Lakers eventually fall out of the top eight in the West, Philadelphia should still be in a strong position to get L.A.’s pick this season, since it’s only top-three protected.

Stay tuned on the Kings’ first-round pick

The one first-round pick that remains firmly up in the air at this point is Sacramento’s, which is top-10 protected. If it falls outside of the top 10, the Bulls will get it. At 5-9, the Kings currently hold the league’s ninth-worst record, and it will be interesting to see if the team – which has no shortage of trade candidates – eventually pushes for a playoff spot, or falls out of contention and makes an effort to hang onto its pick.

Kings ownership wants to see the team make a playoff push this season, and even if the club doesn’t crack the top eight in the West, there’s perhaps a little additional incentive to avoid an all-out tank: Philadelphia has the right to swap first-rounders with the Kings if Sacramento’s pick falls within the top 10. For now, the Sixers (4-10) remain below the Kings in the standings, but not by much.

And-Ones: Rose, Wilson, Childress, Telfair

November 17th, 2016 at 10:40pm CST by Dana Gauruder

An appeal has been filed in the civil lawsuit that accused Knicks guard Derrick Rose and two of his friends of sexual assault, according to the Associated Press. A jury ruled against Rose’s ex-girlfriend, who was seeking $21.5MM over the alleged gang rape, the AP story continues. The appeal filed Thursday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals claims that pertinent evidence was excluded and jury instructions were tainted, the AP report adds.

In other developments around the league:

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is joining a group of investors seeking to build an NBA and NHL arena in the city, Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com reports. Wilson wants to have an ownership stake if the NBA awards a franchise to the city or if a current team moves there, Kapadia adds. “I’ve told you guys I’ve been really authentic about wanting to own a team one day and being a part of something really special and doing that,” Wilson told Kapadia and other media members. “And even though I’m young, I definitely have a business mindset. And I want to be able to help people and give back and help change this community, continue to change this community for the better.”
Approximately 30 NBA scouts will be in attendance for this weekend’s National Prep Showcase in New Haven, Conn., Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com writes. Shooting guard Hamidou Diallo, who is eligible for the 2017 draft, is the main attraction, Zagoria adds.
Former NBA player Josh Childress has agreed to a contract with San-en NeoPhoenix in the Japanese League, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays. Childress played in Australia the past two seasons, Carchia adds. The 33-year-old forward made his last NBA appearance in the 2013/14 season, when he played four games for the Pelicans franchise.
Ex-NBA guard Sebastian Telfair has signed a one-month deal in China as an injury replacement for another former NBA player, Dwight Buycks, international journalist David Pick tweets. Telfair, 31, made his last NBA appearance in 2014/15, when he saw action in 16 games with the Thunder.

Traded Second-Round Picks For 2017 NBA Draft

September 16th, 2016 at 1:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2017 NBA draft is still more than nine months away, but with the start of the regular season fast approaching, it’s worth taking stock of how this season’s results will affect next year’s draft. Depending on how certain teams perform during the 2016/17 campaign, other clubs will have the opportunity to pick up an extra selection or two.

Earlier this week, we looked at the first-round picks that could change hands during the 2017 draft. A few more first-rounders will likely be involved in trades prior to the trade deadline, or leading up to next year’s draft night, but there are already several picks that are ticketed for new teams, depending on where they land.

That’s even more true of the second round — more than half of the league’s second-round picks for 2017 have been involved in trades so far, and while some of those picks will ultimately remain with the sending teams due to protection conditions, many will move to the receiving teams.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the second-round picks that could (or will) change hands. For each selection, we make a note of which team is sending and receiving it, the protection or conditions on the pick, and what will happen if the protection language prevents the pick from being conveyed. For instance, the Heat will send their second-rounder to either the Hawks or Grizzlies, depending on where it lands. The team that doesn’t get a pick from Miami this year will get the Heat’s second-rounder in 2018.

Here are 2017’s traded second-round picks:

Atlanta Hawks

From: Brooklyn Nets
Protection: None

Boston Celtics

From: Cleveland Cavaliers
Protection: None

Boston Celtics

From: Los Angeles Clippers
Protection: None

Boston Celtics

From: Minnesota Timberwolves
Protection: None

Brooklyn Nets

From: Boston Celtics
Conditions: Nets will receive pick (protected 31-45) if Celtics swap first-rounders with Nets.
If not conveyed: Celtics’ obligation to Nets is extinguished.

Brooklyn Nets

From: Indiana Pacers
Protection: 45-60
If not conveyed: Nets will have opportunity to get Pacers’ second-rounder (protected 45-60) in 2018.

Denver Nuggets

From: Memphis Grizzlies
Protection: 31-35
If not conveyed: Nuggets will receive Grizzlies’ 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

Denver Nuggets

From: Oklahoma City Thunder
Protection: 31-35
If not conveyed: Nuggets will receive Thunder’s 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

Houston Rockets

From: Denver Nuggets
Protection: None

Houston Rockets

From: Portland Trail Blazers
Protection: None

Memphis Grizzlies

From: Miami Heat
Protection: 41-60
If not conveyed: Grizzlies will receive Heat’s 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

New York Knicks

From: Chicago Bulls
Protection: None

New York Knicks

From: Houston Rockets
Protection: None

Philadelphia 76ers

From: Miami Heat
Protection: 31-40
If not conveyed: Sixers will receive Heat’s 2018 second-rounder (unprotected).

Philadelphia 76ers

From: Two of Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz.
Conditions: Sixers will receive the most and least favorable of these four picks.

Phoenix Suns

From: Toronto Raptors
Protection: None

Sacramento Kings

From: Philadelphia 76ers
Protection: None

Utah Jazz

From: Two of Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz.
Conditions: Jazz will receive the second- and third-most favorable of these four picks, including their own.

The following teams technically acquired second-round draft picks via trade and could receive those selections in 2017. However, these picks are heavily protected and won’t be conveyed to the receiving team unless the sending team finishes with a top-five record in the NBA. If that doesn’t happen, the receiving team is out of luck. The details:

Atlanta Hawks

From: Phoenix Suns
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Suns’ obligation to Hawks is extinguished.

Cleveland Cavaliers

From: Charlotte Hornets
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Hornets’ obligation to Cavaliers is extinguished.

Minnesota Timberwolves

From: New Orleans Pelicans
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Pelicans’ obligation to Timberwolves is extinguished.

Orlando Magic

From: Sacramento Kings
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Kings’ obligation to Magic is extinguished.

San Antonio Spurs

From: Atlanta Hawks
Protection: 31-55
If not conveyed: Hawks’ obligation to Spurs is extinguished.

Finally, there is one team with swap rights on a second-round pick in 2017. The details:

Philadelphia 76ers

Can swap with: Atlanta Hawks
Protection: Sixers won’t have chance to swap if Hawks’ pick falls in the 56-60 range.
Details: The Sixers will have the ability to swap the worst of the Pistons/Warriors/Knicks/Jazz second-round picks for the Hawks’ second-rounder. Practically speaking, this will likely result in Philadelphia swapping the Warriors’ pick for the Hawks’ pick.

RealGM’s database of future traded pick details was used in the creation of this post.

And-Ones: Payne, Duke, Belinelli

September 14th, 2016 at 11:46am CST by Eddie Scarito

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski is barring NBA teams from scouting his program’s practices this season – except for two pro days scheduled in October, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports. NBA executives were extended invitations to the pro days on October 19th and 25th at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the second of which coincides with the opening night of the NBA regular season, Duke informed front offices on Tuesday, Wojnarowski adds. The university currently has two freshmen forwards, Jason Tatum and Harry Giles, who are ranked in DraftExpress’ top five projected players in the 2017 NBA draft, as well as junior guard Grayson Allen, who is ranked in the top 25.

Here’s more from around the league:

It’s been less than two months since Cameron Payne underwent surgery on his right foot to repair a Jones fracture and the Thunder guard is on track to be ready for the start of training camp, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman writes. But despite his solid progress, Payne doesn’t want to rush things and risk a setback, Horne adds. “I’m getting back into things,” Payne said. “I’m shooting, jumping around, running. Everything’s been going great. I hope I’m ready as soon as the first day comes. But I don’t want to rush anything. I want to be perfectly ready. One-hundred percent. It’s really day-by-day, but right now, the things that we’re doing, we’re going at 100%.”
The five players in the Western Conference who will make the biggest impact this season after changing teams, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com, are: Harrison Barnes (Mavs), Kevin Durant (Warriors), Chandler Parsons (Grizzlies), Evan Turner (Blazers) and Joe Johnson (Jazz).
Hornets coach Steve Clifford praised the team’s draft day deal to acquire Marco Belinelli from the Kings in exchange for the rights to No. 22 overall pick, Malachi Richardson, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer tweets. The coach noted that a player selected at that draft spot would not have been able to contribute this season, unlike the veteran shooting guard they obtained in the swap, Bonnell relays.

Traded First-Round Picks For 2017 NBA Draft

September 13th, 2016 at 3:11pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2017 NBA draft is still more than nine months away, but with the start of the regular season fast approaching, it’s worth taking stock of how this season’s results will affect next year’s draft. Depending on how certain teams perform during the 2016/17 campaign, other clubs will have the opportunity to pick up an extra first-round selection, or to swap first-rounders with those teams.

There’s a good chance that a few more 2017 first-round selections will change hands before the 2017 trade deadline, or on draft night next June, but many picks have already been included in trades. Five teams currently have the opportunity to grab an extra first-rounder in 2017, while two other teams could have the chance to move up in the first round by swapping picks with another club.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the first-round picks that could (or will) change hands. For each selection, we make a note of which team is sending and receiving it, the protection on the pick, and what will happen if the protection language prevents the pick from being conveyed. For instance, the Bulls are on track to receive the Kings’ first-round pick, but only if it falls outside the top 10. If Sacramento’s pick is a top-10 selection, the Bulls will instead receive the Kings’ second-rounder.

Here’s a breakdown of the traded first-round picks for 2017:

Traded first-round picks:

Brooklyn Nets

From: Washington Wizards
Protection: 1-14
If not conveyed: Nets will have chance to get Wizards’ 2018 first-rounder (protected 1-14).

Chicago Bulls

From: Sacramento Kings
Protection: 1-10
If not conveyed: Bulls will instead receive Kings’ second-round pick (protected 56-60).

Los Angeles Lakers

From: Houston Rockets
Protection: None

Orlando Magic

From: Los Angeles Clippers or Toronto Raptors (less favorable)
Protection: 1-14 (Clippers pick)
If not conveyed: In the unlikely event that the Clippers’ pick gets protected and the Magic receive Toronto’s pick, the Raptors would have a chance to get the Clippers’ 2018 first-rounder (protected 1-14).

Philadelphia 76ers

From: Dallas Mavericks
Protection: 1-18
If not conveyed: Sixers will instead Mavericks’ 2017 second-rounder (protected 56-60) and Mavericks’ 2018 second-rounder (protected 56-60).

Philadelphia 76ers

From: Los Angeles Lakers
Protection: 1-3
If not conveyed: Sixers will get Lakers’ 2018 first-rounder (unprotected).

Portland Trail Blazers

From: Cleveland Cavaliers
Protection: None

Portland Trail Blazers

From: Memphis Grizzlies
Protection: 1-5
If not conveyed: Trail Blazers will have chance to get Grizzlies’ 2018 first-rounder (protected 1-5).

Sacramento Kings

From: New Orleans Pelicans
Protection: 1-3
If not conveyed: Kings will have chance to get Pelicans’ 2018 first-rounder (protected only for No. 1 pick).

Utah Jazz

From: Golden State Warriors
Protection: None

Pick swaps are rarer than simple pick trades, but they’re often included in deals to get around the fact that teams can’t trade consecutive future first-round picks. For instance, in the Nets/Celtics blockbuster that saw Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett land in Brooklyn, Boston received the Nets’ 2014, 2016, and 2018 first-rounders, plus first-round swap rights in 2017. The Nets couldn’t leave themselves without first-round picks in back-to-back future seasons, so giving the Celtics the right to swap selections ensured that the Nets would still have a 2017 first-rounder — either their own or Boston’s.

That pick swap is one of two that could be in play this season. Here they are:

Potential first-round pick swaps:

Boston Celtics

Can swap with: Brooklyn Nets
Protection: None
If Celtics choose to swap, they’d owe Nets their second-round pick (protected 31-45).

Philadelphia 76ers

Can swap with: Sacramento Kings
Protection: 11-30 (can only swap if Kings’ pick falls in top 10)
If Kings’ pick falls between 11-30, their obligation to Sixers is extinguished.

RealGM’s database of future traded pick details was used in the creation of this post.

And-Ones: New Orleans, Bogut, Gabriel

August 4th, 2016 at 9:20pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA formally removed the All Star Game from Charlotte on July 22nd because of concerns about North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which eliminated anti-discrimination protections for those who fall into the LGBT demographic. It appears the event is close to landing a new venue, with the league closing in on a deal with New Orleans to act as host, Scott Kushner and Brett Dawson of The New Orleans Advocate relay. The 2016/17 NBA All-Star game is scheduled for February 19th, 2017.

Here’s more of the latest from around the league:

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is excited about the team’s addition of Andrew Bogut, who fills a big need for the team at center if he can remain healthy, Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com writes. “You know, it gives us not only a legitimate starting center, but it gives us one of the best centers in the game,” Carlisle said of the trade with the Warriors. “I’m looking forward to getting to know Andrew. He’s overseas in Australia with their national team. And you know, it will be a lot happening quick.”
Forward Kenny Gabriel, who played for the summer league squads of both the Cavs and the Heat this offseason, has signed a one-year deal that will pay him in excess of $1MM with the Russian club Kuban, international journalist David Pick tweets.
Kansas swingman Josh Jackson tops the first Big Board for the 2017 NBA Draft from ESPN’s Chad Ford (Insider subscription required). Rounding out Ford’s top three are Duke freshman Harry Giles and Washington guard Markelle Fultz.