Nerlens Noel (Photo : Mitchell Leff | Getty Images Sport)
Kris Dunn (Photo : Twitter)
The NBA trade rumors are reaching fever pitch as the 2016 NBA Draft is only days away.
One of the trades that have been speculated since the trade deadline is that between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers-perhaps the two most active teams in the draft. With their armada of picks, they could heavily influence the direction of the proceedings, especially with possible trades.
The latest declaration from CSNNE Sports Analyst Tim Welsh is that the Sixers and Celtics talks are heating up because the Sixers are determined to take Kris Dunn. (h/t Celtics Blog)
"Philly has told Kris Dunn's camp and his agent they are trying to push the buttons to have this happen before the draft," Welsh said. "They've been in Providence locked in to the city talking to everyone that's ever encountered Kris Dunn. They are putting the full court press on the Celtics to acquire the third pick. It could go down in the next two days, so we'll see. Boston has the upper hand in knowing what Philly wants."
Welsh believes that Philly is after the no.3 pick because Dunn could be gone by then, even if it was reported that Dunn doesn't want to be drafted by Boston. The Sixers also value Joel Embiid over Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, according to Welsh, so the Celtics could choose from the two. He also added that the Celtics prefer Noel as he would be more useful in today's NBA
However, it is speculated that the Celtics have gotten wind of the Sixers' interest in Dunn and are probably hiking the asking price. The caveat is that Philly does not have any more assets to give them aside from future draft picks-something the Celtics have stockpiled as well.
Kevin O' Connor of Celtics Blog believes that the 3rd pick is a valuable asset and the Celtics should use it to get a star, even through a package rather than settle for Noel. He stated that Noel does not have as much upside as some prospects for the 3rd pick (Jaylen Brown or even Dragan Bender) and he will also be a restricted free agent at the end of next season.
The ultimate goal of the Celtics is to sign Kevin Durant and they should trade the 3rd pick for someone who can lure KD to Boston, like Jimmy Butler. Adding Avery Bradley to a package along with more picks could convince Chicago to pull the trigger.
