Latest trades, news heading into 2021 NBA Draft

The 2021 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. With the offseason soon approaching and free agency next Monday, there are plenty of trade rumors swirling around heading into the first round. We’re going to be tracking the latest reports and chatter throughout the day leading into the draft.

Latest 2021 NBA Draft trades

Favors lands with Thunder after draft

The Jazz agree to deal C Derrick Favors and future first to the Thunder for a future second as a way to dump salary, per Woj. OKC has yet another future first-round pick, which brings the number up to roughly 153,487, if my math is correct (it isn’t).

Wizards trading Isaiah Jackson to Pacers

The Pacers are getting UK big man Isaiah Jackson from the Wizards, who got the 22nd pick in the draft from the Lakers in the Westbrook deal earlier in the evening.

Knicks trading again, back to No. 25 with Clippers

New York traded back again, this time with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are taking Tennessee G Keon Johnson with the 21st pick in the draft, per Woj.

Knicks trading No. 19 to Hornets

The Hornets are moving back up to the 19th pick via the New York Knicks to select Texas big man Kai Jones, per Woj.

OKC trades No. 16 pick to Rockets

The Rockets are moving up to select Turkish F Alperen Sengun with the 16th pick from the Thunder, per Woj and Shams. Houston is sending two future first-round picks, per Woj, so it seems the Rockets will hold onto the 23rd and 24th picks tonight.

Pacers, Bucks swap picks

We’ve got a minor swap of picks between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.

Lakers, Wizards agree on Russ trade

The Lakers and Wizards have reportedly agreed on the Westbrook deal, per Woj and Shams. The Wizards are also sending two future second-round picks in the deal.

Pistons sending Plumlee to Hornets

Detroit is sending C Mason Plumlee and the No. 37 pick to the Charlotte Hornets for the No. 57 pick, per Woj.

Lakers, Wizards close to Russell Westbrook trade

So right after Woj said the Lakers and Kings had a deal for Kuzma-Hield. Now, the Wizards have swooped in and are giving the Lakers Westbrook in exchange for Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a first-round pick in tonight’s NBA Draft. This deal was first reported by Shams Charania and then confirmed by Woj.

Cavs acquiring PG Ricky Rubio from T-Wolves

The Cleveland Cavaliers are sending a 2022 second-rounder, cash and F Taurean Prince to the T-Wolves in exchange for Rubio.

Nets ship Shamet out to Phoenix before draft

Nets send G Landry Shamet to Suns for PG Jevon Carter and the 29th pick in tonight’s draft, per Woj.

Sixers asking price for Simmons is ... a bit much

The Sixers’ asking price for Simmons in a trade with the Warriors is absurd. Apparently it’s going to cost the Dubs Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, picks Nos. 7 and 14, as well as two future first-round picks for the All-Star guard who is reluctant to shoot jumpers, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Spurs also in on Kuzma

The Lakers and Kings are still talking Hield-Kuzma, but now Marc Stein is reporting the San Antonio Spurs are also interested in a possible sign-and-trade involving Kuzma and soon-to-be free agent G/F DeMar DeRozan.

Pistons expected to take Cunningham at No. 1

This isn’t all that surprising, but the Detroit Pistons are going to take Cade Cunningham first overall, per Woj. Usually he waits until a few minutes before the pick to leak this type of information, but YOLO, let’s just get it out of the way 6 and a half hours before the draft is set to begin. NBA Draft’s aren’t any fun anyway, amirite?

Sixers hope to move Ben Simmons on draft night

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had been reporting that the Sixers were working the phones trying to find a new home for Simmons, who wants out now. It’s a tough move to pull off but it appears draft night is the most likely time for a deal. It will be interesting to see if teams at the top of the draft pull the trigger on a deal, teams like the Toronto Raptors (4), Cleveland Cavaliers (3) or OKC Thunder (6).

Cavaliers intrigued by Mobley-Allen pair

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft tonight and apparently JB Bickerstaff is “intrigued” by the idea of selecting USC C Evan Mobley to pair with C Jarrett Allen, per Cleveland.com. Bickerstaff called Mobley a “unicorn” in the article and it seems the USC product may be too enticing for the Cavs to pass on.

Lakers looking to add Buddy

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be very active in pursuing free agent stars this offseason. That includes Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Spencer Dinwiddie, per The Athletic. The Lakers are also dangling the No. 22 pick at the Sacramento Kings in an attempt to land G Buddy Hield. LA desperately needs shooting and Hield would provide that. Kyle Kuzma’s name has popped up again and he could be dealt with multiple teams interested.

Knicks, Warriors targeting Chris Duarte

The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors are both interested in Oregon G Chris Duarte in the first round of the draft. Duarte is already 24 years old, which will likely turn some teams off. The Dubs and Knicks can afford to take that risk if it means Duarte can come in and contribute right away.

Rockets could try and move up

Houston has the No. 2 pick in the draft tonight, but also have picks 23 and 24 later on in the first round. According to The Athletic, the Rockets could use G Eric Gordon and one of those picks to move back up in the first round if a player they like happens to fall a bit.

Pels, Hornets showing interest in Turner

The New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets are apparently showing interest in Indiana Pacers C Myles Turner. The Pacers could look to move Turner and shift Domantas Sabonis to center, playing more of a small-ball lineup that can stretch the floor a bit better. Turner is a solid rim-protector but isn’t a great rebounder for his size.