NBA Rumors: Rounding Up Buzz on Potential 2016 Draft Deals and Plans

The 2016 NBA draft plays host to more rumors than usual. 

Reasons flow without hesitation. The wacky Philadelphia 76ers clutch the top pick. Franchises such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics clutch top selections, but they could elect to opt out if it means pursuing the biggest names on the free-agent market this summer.

Remember, rebuilders wanting to make moves and the prospects themselves making the rounds in the weeks ahead play a large role in how the rumors market develops, too.

Below, let’s take a look at the updated rumors market surrounding the draft.

Utah Ready to Deal?

The Utah Jazz sit on the 12th pick in the order after picking up 40 wins this past season.

It’s not a terrible position for the franchise to be in, but at the same time, it’s not a slot suitable to helping the Jazz in a notable way.

This is why ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe hears the Jazz might find themselves willing to deal on draft day…again:

For the second straight year, rival execs expect Utah to quietly gauge the market for its lottery pick in search of veteran help at point guard or on the wing. And for the second straight year, Utah will have trouble finding a player under the right sort of contract, and in the right age range, to make a deal worthwhile.

Why not? Utah is far from a household team right now, with most folks perhaps unable to name a single player on the roster. A Shelvin Mack-Rodney Hood-Gordon Hayward starting trio isn’t gunning for the postseason, and the jury is still out on Dante Exum. 

All across the board, the Jazz could make do with upgrades. A player at No. 12 isn’t going to change the franchise in a meaningful way out of the gates. Another foundation piece to grow with a young core is nice, but it doesn’t seem like the approach the front office wants to take if it’s already looking to deal.

So long as Utah can make the contracts work, this might be one of the more notable deals to go down during draft season, as the Jazz seem to want immediate veteran help more than a long-term prospect.

The Lakers-76ers Saga

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