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2014 NBA Draft: Hypothetical Draft Night Trades

By Nathan Giese

Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Shane Battier (31) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Shane Battier (31) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers receive Kendrick Perkins and 2014 first-round pick (No. 29 overall) from Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Thaddeus Young

Mar 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks defeated the Sixers 93-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks defeated the Sixers 93-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Thaddeus Young leaving Philadelphia has been one of the longest running rumors in the NBA. The 76ers are on the decline (dramatically) and are going for a youth movement, building through the draft and starting from the ground up. Philly could have two of the top 10 selections in the 2014 draft — their own and the Pelicans’ pick, which is top-five protected — and five picks in the second round. Who needs eight draft picks in one draft, though?

One team that could be the biggest mover of good and services in the draft is Philadelphia. With those projected seven picks in the draft, picking up another first-round pick wouldn’t do much to hurt or harm them. They could easily make several moves throughout the night.

For Oklahoma City, Kendrick Perkins is no longer a viable option at center. While he brings veteran leadership and some toughness in the paint, he doesn’t fit well with the Thunder anymore. Steven Adams is on the verge of being the go-to center and the offense isn’t flowing through Perkins anytime soon.

By making the deal for Young, the Thunder could use a starting five of him, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Jeremy Lamb and instantly become one of the youngest and most talented starting fives in the NBA. If OKC wanted to go with Adams as the starter instead of Thaddeus, Young becomes one of the most talented sixth men in the league. Those six players are all 25-years old or younger. The core would be intact and the Thunder become younger, more athletic, a better overall shooting team and as dangerous as ever.

Philadelphia could either keep Perkins and use him as a mentor to the likes of Nerlens Noel and their other young guys, or simple release him immediately and save themselves the cap hit. There’s a lot of flexibility with this deal and could work for both teams. Perkins gets to continue to be a mentor and Young gets moved to a championship contender, still makes his money and has less pressure to carry a dying team in the process. OKC doesn’t exactly need their own first round pick, especially since they own the rights to Mavericks’ pick at 21.

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