2020 NBA Draft rumors: Bulls eyeing Warriors’ No. 2 pick via trade; Celtics want to move into top three

After a flurry of trades on Monday in the NBA, there wasn’t much action on Tuesday around the league. However, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning with potential trades heading into the NBA Draft Wednesday night. The league is operating at a lightning-fast speed on a condensed timeline, with the 2020-21 season set to tip off on Dec. 22. Teams have had to gather intel on draft prospects as well as trade targets and free agents at the same time, with free agency opening just two days after the draft on Nov. 22. 

This continues to be one of the most hectic weeks in league history, and with all the rumors circulating on social media it can get hard to keep up. So, here’s a look at some of the latest rumors in the NBA world. For an up-to-date look at every player with a player option for next season, click here:

Thunder discussing a trade to send Gallinari to the Mavericks for No. 18 pick

Danilo Gallinari is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Nov. 20, and he’s likely to have several suitors for his services. The Hawks have been reported as a “favorite” to land the 32-year-old forward, but the Mavericks seem to be trying to secure the talented Italian through a sign-and-trade. Dallas would send its No. 18 overall pick in Wednesday night’s draft in exchange for Gallinari if the deal works out, but nothing is imminent yet.

Bucks add second-round pick from Magic

The Bucks have had a busy week with some blockbuster trades for Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic, and they’ve kept right on dealing. Ahead of the draft, the Bucks traded two future second-round picks to the Orlando Magic in exchange for the No. 45 overall pick in the 2020 Draft. 

Okongwu dealing with fractured toe

Onyeka Okongwu has a fractured toe, according to a report from Jonathan Givony of ESPN. The big man out of USC was not able to work out for teams prior to the draft due to the injury, but it’s not expected to affect his draft stock, nor his availability for the start of the season. Okongwu is currently projected No. 9 overall by CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone in his latest mock draft. 

The Warriors have sent out all sorts of smoke screens for who they could potentially be targeting with the No. 2 overall pick, but our latest mock draft has Golden State selecting big man James Wiseman. He would be an ideal rim protector for the Warriors, which is a need they must fill. However, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported Wednesday morning that the Bulls may be willing to trade Carter Jr., and the No. 4 pick in exchange for the No. 2 pick. If the Bulls pull that off, O’Connor reports that Chicago would select Wiseman with the pick, who would immediately fill Carter’s role in the starting lineup. 

For the Warriors, it’s a matter of who they would prefer to be their center. Wiseman has tremendous upside and would be a nightmare in transition as a lob threat. Carter has shown promise in his first two seasons with the Bulls, but injuries have hampered him in his young NBA career. For Chicago, the Bulls must see a brighter future with Wiseman as their center than Carter, otherwise they wouldn’t include a guy who they just picked seventh overall in the 2018 draft.

Celtics want to move into top three

Boston has been trying to find a buyer for all three of its first-round picks for weeks, but no one seems to be biting. It’s unclear who they’re targeting if they do move up into the lottery, but it’s clear that the Celtics would rather come away from the draft with quality over quantity. It’s also imperative that they try and trade some of their first-round picks seeing as they wouldn’t have roster spots for all of them if they do draft players with those picks. 

The Celtics are reportedly trying to move as far up as the top three of the draft, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, but in order to convince one of Minnesota, Golden State or Charlotte to trade out of those spots, they probably have to come to the table with more to offer than just three first-round picks in Wednesday’s draft.

Edwards likely No. 1 pick if Wolves stay put

Armed with a lead guard in D’Angelo Russell and a franchise-caliber center in Karl-Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves are likely to make Anthony Edwards the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft … if they stay put. According to a report this week from ESPN, however, the possibility remains open that Minnesota trades down from the top spot, potentially injecting even more uncertainty as to who will go No. 1 overall. 

There’s been scuttlebutt throughout the draft process that Minnesota would consider parting ways with the top pick if it were to receive an offer worthwhile, though, and to this point no such deal has materialized. Edwards, a 6-foot-5 wing, presents the best positional fit next to Russell and Towns in Minnesota and is considered a top-three talent in the class. 

Knicks strengthen draft position in deal with Jazz

The New York Knicks packaged the 27th and 38th picks in a deal with the Jazz to acquire Utah’s 23rd pick in this year’s draft, the team announced Wednesday. The deal moves the Knicks up the draft board four spots and gives them two top 25 picks, at No. 8 and No. 23. Wojnarowski reported Wednesday that the strengthened position is enough to potentially put a package together to target a player higher up on the board, a possibility that could put in play some of the draft’s top guards for a franchise that needs a reset at the point guard position.