NBA Draft Rumors: Latest Trade Rumblings on Potential 2022 Picks and Prospects

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Set Number: X164001 TK2

The Houston Rockets sound ready to take their pick to the podium—even though the draft is two nights away, and two teams are selecting in front of them.

Still, if the board breaks as expected with Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren being the top two selections, then “signals are pointing stronger and stronger” at Houston using the No. 3 pick on Duke scoring forward Paolo Banchero, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

It’s worth noting the Rockets already shipped out one high-scoring big man with last week’s trade of Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks, so the path has been cleared for Banchero’s arrival.

He is the best scorer in this draft, making him an intriguing partner for last year’s No. 2 pick, Jalen Green. Houston’s defense could be disastrous early on, but Banchero has the tools to eventually help on that front.

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Between Ja Morant’s superstar ascension and the collective rise of the roster around him, the Memphis Grizzlies are way ahead of schedule.

That has them uniquely positioned as a contending team with the draft and prospect collection of a rebuilder. It also gives them a chance to buy big this offseason, and it sounds as if they are very interested in exploring that possibility.

Marc Stein reported that the Grizzlies are among the teams exploring a trade with the Sacramento Kings for the No. 4 pick.

Memphis reportedly has eyes on Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, and Stein opined this type of trade could cost the Grizzlies someone like Dillon Brooks or Brandon Clarke. Ivey is an interesting target, since he has drawn some comparisons to Morant, but a backcourt featuring both would be hyper-electric and potentially as productive as they come.

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The Portland Trail Blazers need a rapid recovery this summer from their (self-induced) second-half swoon.

The No. 7 pick might be their best hope for getting Damian Lillard more help, and that doesn’t necessarily mean bringing a rookie to Rip City.

“The Trail Blazers continue to explore the market for this pick,” SI.com’s Jeremy Woo reported, “… with the Thunder and Hawks primarily linked to this spot as potential trade partners.”

While the Atlanta Hawks have a wealth of win-not talent to trade Portland, the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t exactly overflowing with it. It’s tempting to assume, then, that Portland could seek a player like Lu Dort and the No. 12 pick from Oklahoma City in exchange for the No. 7 selection.