4 p.m.:Â Everyone’s going to be busy for the next six or seven hours, but perhaps no team’s basketball operations staff will be busier than Danny Ainge and the Celtics.
League sources say Portland trying hard to get into first round. Celtics (aka the https://t.co/DcH2s5OS60 of draft picks) open for business.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 23, 2016
There’s also this. The Oklahoma City Thunder might be looking to move Serge Ibaka, who could be a huge get for any team looking to improve its frontcourt.
The Thunder is shopping big man Serge Ibaka on this draft day, a source said. https://t.co/obBwkWDf6F
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 23, 2016
2:08 p.m.: Well, it’s not a blockbuster, but it is a trade. The Nets reportedly dealt Thaddeus Young after all.
Brooklyn has traded forward Thad Young to the Indiana Pacers for the 20th pick and a future 2nd rounder, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2016
1:05 p.m.: The Nets reportedly told forward Thaddeus Young he’s on the trading block. Brooklyn is looking for a first-round pick, as the Celtics own theirs in this year’s draft.
Thaddeus Young has been informed the Brooklyn Nets are shopping him around the league in search of a 1st round pick, according to a source.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 23, 2016
And speaking of that Celtics pick, it’s looking like a lot of teams want it.
https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/746014990348488706
12:30 p.m.:Â It sure sounds like the Boston Celtics are starting to get busy, and there’s no shortage of interest in that third pick, at least according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Celtics fielding calls for the No. 3 pick — and the majority of the teams interested to take Kris Dunn, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 23, 2016
It probably goes without saying, but it’s worth questioning each and every report like this. Not because there’s reason to question these reporters — just about all of them have proven track records — but because there’s something to be said for getting your message out there in order to build leverage.
With that said, here’s the latest from The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Kris Dunn has significant traction in Boston as No. 3 pick, sources tell @TheVertical. No final decision — and trades remain on table.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2016
All of sudden, there’s plenty of interest in a draft pick that the Celtics, according Wojnarowski’s tweet, sound like they’re willing to make. Hmmm …
12:05 p.m.: Another big move might be in the works, and it involves the Boston Celtics.
League sources tell @chadfordinsider and me: Philadelphia is ramping up its efforts to acquire tonight's No. 3 overall pick from Boston.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
Numerous rivals describe Philly as the most active team in circulation … with a trade involving Nerlens Noel looking more and more likely
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
If Philly is successful prying the No. 3 pick from Boston, it'll enable the Sixers to choose between Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn or Jamal Murray
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
10:59 a.m.: It looks as though the Phoenix Suns are trying to make some big moves, per ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Sources say Phoenix, in its failed trade pitch to convince Utah to surrender Gordon Hayward, tried to pair Eric Bledsoe with a lottery pick
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
The growing sense in league circles is that the Suns are determined to move either Bledsoe or Brandon Knight before the start of next season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 23, 2016
The Suns have the Nos. 4, 13 and 28 picks to use as trade bait.
9:53 a.m.: Well, here’s a very curious rumor about Thon Maker from Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer. The 19-year-old from Sudan already was an interesting pick after taking a fifth year of high school to skirt the NBA’s age rule and enter the draft. But apparently some teams don’t think he’s actually 19.
Several teams have entirely ruled Thon Maker out of the first round due to his age. Multiple sources believe Maker to be 21-23, not 19.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 23, 2016
Fischer also had some news about the Celtics, who reportedly are actively shopping the No. 3 pick.
Spoke to an exec picking top 8 last night. "Boston has changed their 'guy' every 12 hours." Teams think C's just trying to raise value of 3.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 23, 2016
9:15 a.m.: The day finally is here.
The 2016 NBA Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, but the rumor mill will be turning all day. And expect plenty, because beyond the Nos. 1 and 2 picks — the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to take LSU’s Ben Simmons and Duke’s Brandon Ingram, respectively — there are quite a few mysteries.
No one seems to know, for example, whether the Boston Celtics will make their No. 3 pick or trade it to the highest bidder. And given that a blockbuster trade already happened Wednesday with the Chicago Bulls sending Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, there should be plenty more where that came from.
We’ll be filling you in on all the goings-on around the NBA on Thursday, so keep it right here for more updates.
In fact, here are a couple of teams that reportedly already are looking to make moves before the draft.
Sources: Several Western teams aggressive on Thad Young, whom Brooklyn's working to move to highest bidder. This gets Nets into first-round.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2016
Sources: Charlotte's offering No. 22 – if team will take contract of Spencer Hawes or Jeremy Lamb. Hornets need space to re-sign free agents
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2016
Thumbnail photo via John Geliebter/USA TODAY Sports Images