Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
The Celtics are one of the most primed teams to make a trade during the 2015 NBA Draft. Danny Ainge has surely been on the horn since the Celtics' first round exit in this year's playoffs searching for his next move. Isaiah Thomas, who Ainge acquired via one of the more shocking trades at the March deadline, could be one of the many pieces to leave Boston. Thomas emerged as a top candidate for Sixth Man of the Year and, although he did not receive the award, was deserving nonetheless after his performance with the Phoenix Suns carried over with the Celtics. The 26 year-old averaged 16.4 points per game throughout the 2014-2015 season, a regular season in which Thomas started just one game. The four-year veteran has proved his scoring ability and, although shooting is his strong suit, Thomas can facilitate offense, too. Ainge has a number of options and, while his moves in the draft may be hard to forecast, Thomas is a player that would get the most value in return.
Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City was able to get a pick in the lottery after narrowly missing the postseason and currently hold the fourteenth pick in the draft. After finishing second in the Northwest Division, with the hopes of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka returning to full health, Sam Presti will look to his bench for pieces to move. Jeremy Lamb is one of the primary options and could be dealt in a package deal to a team with a higher pick in the draft. The Thunder will be looking to strengthen their bench and potentially add another piece to their lineup to produce alongside Russell Westbrook. Lamb started eight games last season and averaged just 6.3 points per game. However, the former UConn Husky has shown potential and may be of interest to teams around the league. In a package deal that could include Lamb, Perry Jones, and the fourteenth overall pick, the Thunder could finally land the shooting guard they have sought after ever since James Harden departed.
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets
A team that was a mess for the majority of the regular season, the Nets were rumored to have been actively shopping Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams. Lopez is now a free agent with a player option for 2015-2016, while both Johnson and Williams each have two more years on big contracts. Williams is the more likely to be on the move because his performance was the worst of the three aforementioned players in both the regular season and postseason. The tenth-year point guard averaged 13 points and 6.6 assists per game in the 2014-2015 regular season and is owed over $21 million next season. Williams' productivity has progressively decreased and the Nets would be wise to squeeze out what value the aging point guard has left. Williams, who will turn 31 the day after the draft, may be the Nets' ticket to regaining draft picks that were lost in prior trades with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics.
Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were another team that struggled throughout the regular season and are bound for the seventh pick in the NBA Draft. Rumors have been circling around point guard Ty Lawson, who apparently did not get along with former head coach Brian Shaw, and it seems as though the six-year veteran is likely out of Denver. A trade before Thursday's draft would give the Nuggets a prime opportunity to move up on the board, if they choose. Or, it would allow them to acquire an additional pick or player that would have a more positive effect on the team. Lawson, who has two years remaining on his contract, averaged 15.2 points per game and 9.6 assists per game last season.
Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers
After acquiring Lance Stephenson in a trade that sent Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes to the Charlotte Hornets, the Clippers are reportedly shopping Jamal Crawford. Crawford averaged 15.8 points per game last season as the Clippers' go-to bench player. The 15-year veteran started just four games all season and continues to be a vital sixth man. Doc Rivers and the Clippers have some roster adjustments to make this offseason and, if the team hopes to bring back free agent DeAndre Jordan, they may look to make several deals to free up space in the salary cap. The Clips have no draft picks as a result of the Doc Rivers exchange with the Celtics and need to revitalize their bench. Crawford, who will be a free agent after the 2015-2016 season, would get the most value in return.