The Pistons have received many inquiries about their first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, as the Thunder went as far as to offer them Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the sixth pick for the first opportunity to select Cade Cunningham.
There has been increased chatter that the Pistons could look to trade down or just stay right where they are and select Jalen Green instead, as Green had an “outstanding” workout with Detroit, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
As of late Wednesday night, however, O’Connor relays that executives around the league expect the Pistons to hold onto their first overall selection and draft Cunningham.
More NBA Draft Rumors
- Despite Detroit declining Oklahoma City’s proposal, the Thunder are still interested in moving up, as they have spoken to all five teams ahead of them about the possibility of moving up, per O’Connor (same article). OKC is said to be interested in Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes in addition to Cunningham.
- The Grizzlies are looking into moving up into the No. 6 to No. 8 range just days after acquiring the No. 10 pick, according to O’Connor. O’Connor also says that Memphis has pursued last-minute meetings with Jonathan Kuminga, Alperen Sengun and Davion Mitchell.
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The Pacers are “juggling” trade talks involving the 13th pick, Myles Turner and T.J. Warren in separate deals, per O’Connor. The Pacers are also fielding calls from a lot of teams looking to move up, with the Hawks being one of them, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report.
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The Hawks are also looking to package Cam Reddish and the 20th pick in order to move up, O’Connor relays. Hawks are eyeing teams in the late lottery. Reddish, the 10th pick in 2019, averaged 11.2 points per game this season, but just made 26 appearances in his second season in the league.
