If You Had To Pick One, Which Star Gets Traded On Draft Night
Saenz: If I had to make a prediction, I’d probably guess Jimmy Butler. I think he’ll get moved to the Boston Celtics. If this trade doesn’t go down on draft night, I have no idea what the Celtics are thinking or doing. They’ve been building to this very moment. For them not to come away with a star this summer would be…odd.
Macri: Jimmy Butler. With Boston seemingly set to trade down and acquire more draft assets in the process, Butler is the only logical target. Carmelo Anthony will almost certainly start next season wearing a different uniform, but the teams on his list know they can wait on such a move until free agency shakes out. Also watch out for an Eric Bledsoe deal if Ball does indeed end up in Phoenix.
Nelson: Jimmy Butler.
McFee: Just one? I wish I could pick multiple, I refuse to accept the Serge Ibaka for half a season trade counting as the most exciting trade I’ve seen on draft night in recent memory. Since I do have to pick one, I’m going with one of either Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum. (I know, I cheated). Before you go beelining for the comments section, hear me out. Portland has 3 first round selections, and a backcourt that is defensively challenged that’s a part of a roster Portland’s upper management is locked into for the foreseeable future; barring a big trade.
Moe Harkless was linked to being traded to the Knicks already, so whether that happens or not, it shows that Portland is looking to rid themselves of financial burden. Moving a guard of Lillard or McCollum’s caliber makes a lot of sense, because a) which one of you out there reading this doesn’t want one of those players on your team, and b) what (small market) GM doesn’t love having cap space and an opportunity to get future draft picks/solid players?
Webb: IF someone is traded. I’ll say Jimmy Butler. As a Bulls fan, I’ll say Jimmy heads to Boston and Chicago jumps up to 3 and takes Josh Jackson…I can dream right?
Massara: Paul George. I can see something like Crabbe and Portland’s three first round picks going to the Pacers. It is worth it for the Pacers to rid themselves of Crabbe’s contract and they have a pretty full roster as it is. With George saying he doesn’t intend on staying in Indiana, they will look to move him.
Dyal: Jimmy Butler to the Celtics
Wooden: The easy answer here is Paul George, but I’m not sure anyone is willing to give up the Pacers’ asking price (2 first round picks and a starter) for a one-year rental. I’ll go with Kevin Love here. The Cavs need to do something different to run it back against the Warriors next year, and that something different starts with a versatile defender. Kevin Love has been better than most think in his Cavs tenure, but it was clear when Durant and Curry torched Cleveland in the Finals that they didn’t have the lanky, rangy defender (like George) to defend Durant. Love will go somewhere, even if it isn’t to Indy.
Magdziarz: Jimmy Butler. All of the current/ future picks the Celts got in this Fultz trade, will be going to Chicago for Jimmy on Thursday.
Chapman: I’d say Jimmy Butler. We’ve already been hearing a lot about Paul George so his trade could happen before the draft. The Celtics already made a trade, which gave them more future picks. They could use this for some leverage to set up a trade for Butler.
Murray: Paul George.
Pontin: After the chaos that has taken place today between Boston and Philadelphia, it would only be right to assume that if any star is traded on draft night, it will be Jimmy Butler. In my opinion, the only situation in which a star is dealt on draft night is if the reported negotiations between Danny Ainge and Bryan Colangelo for the number-1 overall pick become a reality. The Celtics would stockpile even more picks in return for Markelle Fultz, and they would then send a package of picks to Chicago for another star with the goal of taking down LeBron James in 2018.
Jamieson: Jimmy Butler. The Boston Celtics have a lot of assets and want to make a splash. They are in the process of making a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for the first overall pick. The 76ers want Markelle Fultz, and the Celtics want a star to help compete with LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Fultz has star potential, but he’s no Jimmy Butler. There were rumors that the Celtics, 76ers, and Bulls are engaging in trade talks, but Boston might just move back two spots and pick up more assets to trade for Butler.