NBA Draft night is upon us, and it comes just days after the conclusion of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.
The NBA offseason is just three days in, and yet there has already been significant movement that will undoubtedly continue to change the league’s landscape. There have already been three league-altering moves, with the biggest one that came on Sunday, which sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
That trade is likely just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a wild few weeks — and things could really kick off tonight during the first round of the NBA Draft.
With the rumor mill already buzzing just hours before the draft, here are the top three boldest and most intriguing predictions for draft night.
Bucks Get Offer From Nets They Cannot Refuse for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The summer of Giannis Antetokounmpo is underway, and while all signs point to him returning to Cream City, there could be an offer out there that can blow the Bucks out of the water.
Although the Bucks want to keep the two-time MVP, the Brooklyn Nets are a team that could throw the entire kitchen sink at Milwaukee and present them with an offer they cannot refuse. The Nets have five first-round picks tonight alone. If they are serious about landing a perennial superstar, they could offer a multitude of first-rounders to add Antetokounmpo.
Thunder Move Into the Lottery, Target Top-Three Pick
The Thunder are fresh off their first title in franchise history and an epic championship parade; however, there is no rest for the weary. Oklahoma City will be significant players on draft night, holding a multitude of first-round picks for not only this year’s draft but also for the next handful of seasons.
As for this season, the Thunder holds the No. 15 and No. 24 picks. There is chatter that they want to trade up to acquire a lottery pick. Not only will they do so, but they will move into the top three and continue to build off what they accomplished on Sunday night with another talented, young player on their side.
Paul George Gets Dealt Along with The No. 3 Pick
A ton of eyes will be on the Philadelphia 76ers as they hold the No. 3 pick on Wednesday night. The 76ers are coming off a nightmare of a season that saw them depleted by injuries and forced to compete for the No. 1 pick. Although they failed to acquire the top pick, it’s clear they have bigger expectations for themselves, knowing they have a nucleus in place to compete in the East.
With that being said, this past season may be the last we saw of Paul George in the City of Brotherly Love. The 76ers will package a deal that sends George and the No. 3 pick away for a possibly younger and more durable star to pair alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
This year’s NBA Draft is scheduled to be one for the ages.
More NBA news: Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Drawing Significant Interest From Several NBA Teams
Jeanie Buss Finally Speaks Out on Lakers’ Record-Breaking Purchase
Celtics Trading Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in Blockbuster Three-Team Trade
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