NBA Draft Night: What We Know

Now that we’re just over 24 hours away from the 2017 NBA Draft, there is sure to be an increase in trade rumors leading up to the event.

This offseason already seems like it has been one of the busiest in recent memory and we’re not even in July yet. Teams are eager to begin working to improve their respective rosters and there have been plenty of rumors to surface in the past few days.

As we enter the home stretch until the draft, here is what we know so far (in addition to what we covered last night):

Lakers are trading Tim Mozgov and D'Angelo Russell to Nets for Brook Lopez and 27th pick Thursday, sources say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2017

In the days leading up to the draft, the Lakers were said to have been interested in adding an additional first-round draft pick. It was reported Tuesday night that the Lakers had reached an agreement to trade D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the No. 27 pick in Thursday’s draft.

The Lakers were motivated to execute this trade in order to clear some long-term salary off of the books and, in the process, also picked up that desired additional first-round draft pick. The Lakers now hold three first-round draft picks: Nos. 2, 27 and 28.

By acquiring the extra pick, the Lakers are now expected to package the No. 27 and No. 28 picks in a deal to the Indiana Pacers for Paul George. Given George’s stated desire to leave the Pacers after next season, the Pacers are likely more inclined to make a trade with George prior to the Draft.

With Russell moving to the Nets, that likely opens the door for the Lakers to draft Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick, even though there has not been a promise made to Ball yet.

Celtics finally received Josh Jackson's medicals, but he still won't workout for Boston. C's still debating but appear to be leaning Tatum

— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 21, 2017

Perhaps the hottest topic not related to the Lakers at the pre-draft media availability on Wednesday involved Josh Jackson. With the Boston Celtics sliding down to the No. 3 spot following its trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, many are beginning to wonder which player the Celtics will take on Draft night.

Most mock drafts point to the Celtics taking either Jackson or Jayson Tatum. Both players figure to give the team additional wing depth and could become a cornerstone for the franchise. However, it’s becoming increasingly likely the Celtics opt to select Tatum with the third overall pick.

Chad Ford of ESPN reported early Wednesday that Jackson still won’t work out for the Celtics, despite the team receiving his medical history. Jackson addressed his decision not to workout for the Celtics during his pre-draft media availability.

“They did a little bit of moving around with their pick,” Jackson said. “I felt like they made it pretty clear who they were going to draft with the No. 1 pick, so I didn’t really feel like it was worth either of our times for me to work out with them. But then when they, you know, did the flip and went to No. 3, by then it was too late.”

As most teams begin to finalize their draft boards, it appears as though the Los Angeles Clippers are trying to land a draft pick. The Clippers, currently without a pick in the draft, are reportedly gauging the landscape for potentially trading center DeAndre Jordan, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.

The report indicates that the Clippers have held exploratory talks with a few teams, including the Phoenix Suns. Talks with the Suns have centered around the Clippers trading Jordan in exchange for Tyson Chandler and the No. 4 pick in the draft, an offer the Suns reportedly turned down.

With so much riding on the future of free agents Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick, the Clippers could be potentially motivated to start the rebuilding process should they believe that those players leave this summer. The report also mentions that the Clippers are “expected to be aggressive” in attempting to buy a second-round draft pick.

Currently, teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz currently hold at least two second-round picks.

Free Agency Scuttle: Houston is making Ryan Anderson/Lou Williams/Patrick Beverley available via trade to create summer spending flexibility

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 21, 2017

Each year, the draft serves as the unofficial start to trade season and this year appears to be no different. While this trade scenario involving the Houston Rockets doesn’t necessarily involve any draft picks, the Rockets could be potentially active tomorrow night.

In past seasons, general manager Daryl Morey has been extremely active when it comes to the trade deadline and draft night. According to ESPN, the Rockets will be targeting Paul Millsap, Kyle Lowry, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul in free agency this summer. But in order to do so, they’ll need to create cap space.

As things currently stand, the Rockets are looking at roughly $11.7 million in cap space this summer but could have more if they’re able to unload the contracts of Ryan Anderson, Lou Williams or Patrick Beverley. Those three players will combine to make roughly $32 million next season.

It was reported Wednesday morning by Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune that the Utah Jazz have made a trade inquiry on Beverley. The Jazz are one of 12 teams to have reached out to the Rockets, according to the report.

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With the 2017 NBA Draft nearly 24 hours away, be sure to check in with Basketball Insiders frequently for all of the latest news regarding the draft. We are updating our 2017 NBA Draft Diary around the clock with all of the latest news, rumors and trades to surface.