The latest batch of NBA Draft rumors come with draft night just days away and teams like the Pelicans, Hornets, Cavaliers and Warriors working on trade options.
NBA Draft rumors: Pelicans weigh trading Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram
The Hornets enter the draft in a position of great power. Sure, they don't get to draft Victor Wembanyama, but they control the dominos from there. Any team that wants Scoot Henderson likely has to go through them.
Enter the Pelicans, who are so interested in adding a franchise point guard like Henderson they may be willing to trade one of their stars, according to Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show.
Charania reported that the Pelicans haven't called the Hornets to directly talk about doing a swap for the No. 2 but they want Henderson and any trade to get him would have to involve a big name.
"Realistically when you look at it, the only way you're going to go get a guy like [Scoot Henderson] is if you're going to give up someone like Zion Williamson," Charania said.
That's when he dropped the bomb: The Hornets have their eye on another Pelicans star.
"I don't know that the Hornets would want Zion Williams. I think who the Hornets want, from what I'm told, is Brandon Ingram," Charania said.
Ingram, the former No. 2 overall pick by the Lakers, is coming off a career year averaging 24.7 points and 5.8 assists. Could he be the centerpiece of a massive draft night trade?
NBA Draft rumors: Cavaliers looking to move up
The Cavaliers made it to the playoff for the first time in five years the past season but they were promptly knocked out in the first round. The goal this NBA Draft is to land pieces who can help fuel a longer playoff run.
That may involve moving up into the late first round, according to Cleveland.com.
Cleveland has the 49th pick in the draft but they fear that the "older, NBA-ready rotational prospects" they covet will be off the board by then.
Chris Fedor reported that "calls have been made to multiple teams in the 20-30 range, gauging the cost of a potential deal" ahead of the draft.
It makes sense for Cleveland to look at NBA-ready players, but they'd also be flying blind after a trade up since they haven't held workouts for any players expected to be drafted in that range. So this is something to keep an eye on, but it's also a risk.
In terms of draft capital, the Cavaliers have some future second-round picks available to deal but it's not clear what teams will be looking for to move back. However, we know of at least one team who might be willing to listen…
NBA Draft rumors: Warriors explore moving back, Jonathan Kuminga trade
The Warriors hold the No. 19 pick in the NBA Draft but it looks like they're trying to move back while also maneuvering for more, per Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer in his latest mock draft.
O'Connor also noted a recent report from ESPN's Jonathan Givony (subscription required) about Golden State "exploring the option of acquiring a high draft pick in exchange for a young prospect such as Jonathan Kuminga."
The Warriors drafted Kuminga at No. 7 overall in 2021. He's averaged 9.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game in the first two seasons of his career. Just when it looked like he was beginning to flourish in Andrew Wiggins' absence, the young forward saw his minutes dwindle in the playoffs. Now he's trade fodder.
And he's not the only one Golden State can ponder trading. The team has received trade calls regarding Jordan Poole, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
Basically, new GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has a bunch of balls to juggle as the draft approaches and a shocking trade or two could be part of the trick.
