The 2016 NBA Draft is in the books, and bad teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers landed their studs. For other squads, however, their selections could come into play quickly because the incumbents at their positions are either free agents or trade bait.
Kris Dunn for Ricky Rubio
Kris Dunn landing with the Minnesota Timberwolves means point guard Ricky Rubio's days in the Land of 10,000 Lakes are numbered. It may not come immediately, but barring the unforeseen, the Spaniard can likely be expected to be moved by the 2017 trade deadline.
Rubio will have suitors thanks to his game and his favorable contract - signed through 2019 at a relative bargain of $14 million per season. While he's never been a great shooter, Rubio's passing game is sublime and he's a ballhawk.
Dunn had reportedly been a favorite of Tom Thibodeau for a while, exhibiting the toughness the new Wolves coach loves. In four seasons at Providence, he became the only player in the history of the program to register at least 1,000 points, 500 assists, 400 rebounds, and 200 steals.
Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry for Kent Bazemore
The Atlanta Hawks' top priority is re-signing Al Horford, but starting small forward Kent Bazemore is an unrestricted free agent as well. Much of Atlanta's future hinges on Horford's decision, but drafting Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry is a move to go younger in the small forward/stretch-four department.
Prince has been compared to former Hawk DeMarre Carroll, and the comparison may go beyond the hair: He's an athletic late bloomer with length and ability to thrive as a 3-and-D player. In Bembry, Atlanta lands perhaps one of the better value picks in the draft.
Wade Baldwin IV for Mike Conley
Nobody should suggest that rookie Wade Baldwin IV could instantly replace Mike Conley's leadership if the point guard chooses to leave the Memphis Grizzlies via free agency. However, the Grizz went with the scrappy Baldwin from in-state Vanderbilt because he fits their adopted "Grindhouse" culture.
Aggressive and a tenacious defender, Baldwin needs to learn how to run the point. But if the Grizzlies enter a reset mode, he's a good building block.
Jakob Poeltl for Bismack Biyombo
It's not likely the Toronto Raptors will retain backup center and high-energy playoff contributor Bismack Biyombo. They do not hold his Bird Rights, and his solid postseason performance ensures suitors flush with cash. Enter Jakob Poeltl.
Unless he becomes part of a bigger trade package, the 20-year-old Austrian will push Lucas Nogueira for the Raps' backup center spot if and when Biyombo leaves. At 7-foot-1, Poeltl has size and is regarded highly enough both offensively and defensively to merit a crack at NBA rotation minutes.
