One Step Back, Two Steps Forward

How moving back in the draft could benefit certain teams.

Generally speaking, the idea of the draft lottery is to be awarded a higher draft pick. Obviously, everyone wants to be No. 1.

If you’re going to be a bad NBA team and enter the draft lottery, why not be the best at being bad?

But those Ping Pong balls can bounce in more ways than Metta World Peace’s mood swings, and sometimes teams end up in non-ideal drafting positions. When that happens, an idea strikes: trade back.

Though this year’s draft is allegedly going to produce superstar-quality players, there are teams that might benefit from knocking themselves down the totem pole.

1. Philadelphia 76ers (third overall)

This could happen if Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins go one and two. Philly has an obvious need for a scorer — specifically a go-to superstar who can carry the franchise for the next 10 years. If Parker and Wiggins are gone when the Sixers are on the clock, I think Philly would consider trading down instead of risking a top-three pick on Joel Embiid. Embiid could end up being very good, but the issue isn’t his potential but rather his back, and as interesting as it might be to pair him with Nerlens Noel, it might be better for Philadelphia to move down.

If Embiid’s back concerns other NBA teams, then he might still fall to Philly if they do slide down. That, ladies and gentlemen, would be a win-win scenario. The Sixers could get value for the third overall pick and still take a shot on a possible superstar center.

Three possible trade partners could be the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics. Utah isn’t far off with the equation it has brewing right now. Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward are young, competitive and talented. Adding a top-three-pick into the mix could help the Jazz in the immediate future. Charlotte might consider him by trading the ninth pick, and imagine what getting Embiid could do for them considering he’s healthy. At the same time, Charlotte made the playoffs for the second time ever and would also consider taking Noah Vonleh or Julius Randle — more secure picks. Boston is in desperate need of a young superstar. Again, if Embiid does pan out, getting the big man from Kansas could have Bill Russell-like effects (note I say, “could,” not “will”). Rajon Rondo could give up basketball to play professional poker… doesn’t mean it will happen.

2. Boston Celtics (sixth overall)

Boston, I think, could either move up or down. The Celtics want Kevin Love, and realize they won’t find him on Match.com or Tinder. Danny Ainge was praying to Red Auerbach for a top-three pick. He didn’t get it.

If Boston decides to trade back, Charlotte and the Orlando Magic would love to move up for either Vonleh or Randle. This is assuming Ainge can’t pry away Love in a Kevin Garnett-like deal like he did nearly seven years ago.

If I’m Ainge, I carefully consider keeping the pick and trading Rondo instead. He’s 28 and a free agent after next year. He has a rich history of injuries and temper tantrums. Why not consider dealing him? It’s more than likely he’ll walk in free agency after next season anyway. Ainge could look to trade Rondo to a team like the Milwaukee Bucks or Orlando Magic. Orlando is the better fit because it can offer Boston two lottery picks and more. Now the Magic get a point guard, who at his best is arguably the best at his position in the league, and Boston ends up with three lottery picks.

Boston could then take a shot at Embiid, and if he doesn’t pan out, there are two more lottery picks on which to bank. Orlando would benefit because Rondo is proven, and the Magic would save money that would have been promised to a top-14 pick. That dough could now go toward a Greg Monroe or another high-quality free agent. See how that win-win thing keeps reappearing? I should be a general manager, folks.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves (13th overall)

This pick could be swung to help the Timberwolves for the long haul. It’s safe to assume Minnesota won’t compete next year in a talent-heavy Western Conference. Love wants out too. Minnesota has said it won’t trade him before the draft, and I don’t think he’s dealt until next season. But with pick No. 13, the T-Wolves won’t add a player who will catapult them into playoff contention. Therefore, trading back would be their best bet.

Minnesota could take the pick and parlay it into a 2015 first-round pick, which could turn into Jahlil Okafor or Cliff Alexander. I would trade Love now off the talent level of this class. You don’t think Cleveland would deal the top pick for Love? Partnering Kyrie Irving and Love would be deadly in an Eastern Conference bound to be bad for a while. Now, the assumption is Love signs an extension. If he’s open to it — pull the trigger. The T-Wolves could then pair Parker or Wiggins with Ricky Rubio and have multiple first-round picks next year. And imagine if Shabazz Muhammad ever turns it around.

Back to the No. 13 pick, I think the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls would both be interested in sliding up. I also think Oklahoma City would consider moving up to get Zach LaVine. It will probably lose Thabo Sefolosha in the offseason, and adding a young, athletic wing to a core of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant is never a bad idea.