NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors, Rockets, Cavaliers Could Swap Lottery Picks For All-Stars

The order of the 2021 NBA Draft was determined with Tuesday night’s lottery, but the top of the first round might not stay the same. A few of the teams with the highest picks are already expressing interest in trading those selections for impact players.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers could be very aggressive in trying to trade their first-round picks for veterans or All-Star-caliber players. The Golden State Warriors are also expected to consider trading their lottery picks for a star who might become available.

After finishing with the NBA’s worst record, the Rockets earned the No. 2 overall pick. The Cavaliers earned the No. 3 pick, finishing in the bottom-three of the East for a third straight season. The Warriors are set to pick seventh and 14th.

The Detroit Pistons won the lottery and are expected to target Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham with the first overall selection.

Houston and Cleveland are unlikely to contend for the playoffs next year without making a significant trade. Their lottery picks could potentially be used as the centerpiece of a deal for an All-Star.

The 2021 draft class is viewed as having four or five potential stars. Cunningham is the consensus top pick. Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs and USC’s Evan Mobley could be franchise-changing players.

Jalen Green has an extremely high ceiling coming out of the G League. Fellow G Leaguer Jonathan Kuminga is considered by many to have All-Star potential, as well.

There probably won’t be a can’t-miss prospect available at No. 7 or No. 14, but the Warriors might be able to package those picks, along with 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, for an All-Star.

With Klay Thompson set to return from injury and Stephen Curry playing arguably the best basketball of his career, the Warriors can become a championship contender by adding another star-level player.

What All-Stars might be available via trade this summer? There could be a few answers to that question before the July 29 draft, considering the amount of player movement each offseason.

The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to explore the trade market for Ben Simmons, following the team’s second-round playoff exit. Despite his postseason failures, Simmons has been an All-Star in three straight seasons. Houston turned down the chance to acquire Simmons in exchange for James Harden during the season.

There’s been speculation for a couple of years that Bradley Beal might become available, though the Washington Wizards have given no indications that they plan on moving the All-NBA Third-Team selection.