The NBA's transaction moratorium was lifted on Monday, which means are able to trade picks -- and players -- during the 2020 NBA draft (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN). Which teams are primed to make a move up or down? And which teams should stand pat and hold on to their future assets?
Here's a rundown of the teams that could shake up the draft board before or on Wednesday night -- and which prospects they should be making moves to get.
On the clock
A year ago, 23 draft night trades were either made or agreed to (then completed when the July 7 transaction moratorium was lifted). In total, 11 trades involved first-round picks, and an additional 12 were made in the second-round.
This year there are eight teams who are on the clock for potential moves, starting with the team holding the No. 1 pick.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Draft picks: No. 1, No. 17 and No. 33
Minnesota will have no cap flexibility this offseason, but with three picks in the top 33 of the draft the Wolves have the opportunity to reload their roster via the draft, via trade or both.
Here are the decisions that they are facing leading up to Wednesday:
1. Can the roster sustain three draft picks?
Minnesota finished the season as the youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 24.1. Adding three rookies to a roster that returns 11 players would make the Wolves even younger. That might push them to consider trades.
2. Can we find the same player in the Nos. 4-6 range instead of No. 1?
Unlike last year when there was a consensus No. 1 in Zion Williamson, there is not one clear impact players staring at the Timberwolves with the top pick. Does swapping firsts with a team like New York (No. 1 for No. 8) and getting other draft assets (the two future first-round picks from Dallas) plus a young player like Kevin Knox make sense?
3. How about a trade up into the lower part of the lottery?
Is the combination of the Nets' first (No. 17) and the Wolves' second (No. 33) enough to get Minnesota a pick in the Nos. 10-14 range? Is there a team like New Orleans (No. 13) who would drop back four spots to acquire an additional second-round pick?
4. What is the value of the Nets' first?
One way to treat the draft like free agency is to trade a pick for a player. Last year the Suns, for instance, traded a future first-round pick to Boston for Aron Baynes (picking up the No. 24 pick last year in the process).
The Wolves have players -- including Jacob Evans ($2.0 million) and Omari Spellman ($2.0 million) -- who can be used as salary filler in these types of trades.
5. Can pick No. 33 turn into multiple future draft assets?
Because second-round picks are not on a rookie-scale contract, teams have the flexibility to structure the terms of the deal. Last year, Minnesota signed second-round pick Jaylen Nowell to a four-year, $6.6 million contract, but only the first year of the contract was guaranteed. -- Bobby Marks
Potential trade targets
Deni Avdija
The Timberwolves have evaluated their options with the No. 1 pick, but also looked at other prospects in the top 10, putting players through a battery of medical, interview, physical and psychological testing while also conducting background checks. Adding another multipositional defender with a strong feel for the game seems to be a priority, which would make any of Haliburton, Avdija or Okoro strong candidates to be selected if the team trades down from No. 1 or moves up from No. 17. -- Jonathan Givony
Draft picks: No. 2, No. 48 and No. 51
The Warriors have been linked to Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman if they remain at No. 2. However, what happens if Haliburton is a close fourth on their big board? Should the Warriors move back into the Nos. 4-8 range if there is enough intel that the guard will still be available? Or should they take Haliburton at No. 2 and not risk waiting if they feel he is the best prospect that can help them win now?
Golden State has a $17.2 million trade exception that is set to expire shortly after free agency starts and can target teams such as Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, Detroit and New York to pick up players to strengthen their bench in addition to future draft assets. -- Marks
Potential trade targets
Tyrese Haliburton
Deni Avdija
The Warriors, who have NBA Finals aspirations, likely are on the hunt for the more polished players -- role-player types with versatility who can step in and contribute immediately. Toppin's Naismith Player of the Year status, Avdija's huge amount of international experience and Haliburton's credentials on the FIBA and NCAA level would make them easy fits on the roster. -- Givony
Draft pick: No. 3, No. 32 and No. 56
Charlotte will spend the next 48 hours debating the answers to two key questions: What is the cost of moving up into the top two and what happens if Wiseman and Edwards are off the board when the Hornets are selecting at No. 3?
If Wiseman is the clear-cut No. 1 on their draft board, why not take an aggressive approach (Miles Bridges or a future protected first) and move up two slots? However, if that's not an option, and the Hornets aren't sold on whichever of the top three players is left when their turn arrives, then Charlotte could target a team like Detroit and move back five slots while picking up pieces (Luke Kennard, Svi Mykhailiuk and a future first). -- Marks
Potential trade targets
Trade up: James Wiseman
Trade down: Onyeka Okongwu
The Hornets appear to be comfortable picking any of the players projected in the top three, which means standing pat on draft night is a strong possibility. There has been some chatter about their affinity for Wiseman, who would provide a significant presence and plug an immediate hole in the middle with his physical tools. With Minnesota angling for future first-rounders, the protection on a 2021 pick will likely be the difference in whether or not Charlotte is able to move up to select Wiseman. If he's gone, would the Hornets consider trading down to take Okongwu? That likely depends on what they could get for Edwards, whose value fluctuates dramatically from franchise to franchise. -- Givony
DETROIT PISTONS
Draft pick: No. 7
The Pistons have been linked to Ball and are the lone team outside of the top three that has watched him workout in person. The question now is if they have the assets to move up and if the risk is worth the reward.
Detroit has all its own first-round picks in future years along with former lottery picks Kennard, Sekou Doumbouya and second-round pick Mykhailiuk. The Pistons also have $30 million in cap space to take back salary if needed. -- Marks
Potential trade targets
James Wiseman
LaMelo Ball
The Pistons have been unusually active in the rumor mill for a team with seemingly limited options at their disposal. With significant holes at both point guard and center, most teams expect them to target either James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball if they can move up. Wiseman is exactly the type of toolsy, upside-laden prospect GM Troy Weaver has coveted in the past, while Ball would bring a huge injection of excitement. -- Givony
Draft picks: No. 8, No. 27 and No. 38
For Leon Rose, the new head of basketball operations, the first major opportunity to shape the Knicks' roster starts on Wednesday night. New York has three picks in the top 38 with which it can add to its collection of young players or look to trade for future assets and players ready to contribute now.
Here are the questions leading into the draft that the front office will debate:
• Are we comfortable staying at No. 8?
• What is the cost of moving into the top three, and is it worth it?
• In trade talks, are the future first-round picks (2021 and 2023) from Dallas on the table or not? How much does the injury history of Kristaps Porzingis factor in when weighing the value of those picks?
• Draft for need or take the best available prospect?
• Is it worth exploring packaging No. 27 and No. 38 to move up into the late teens?
• Do we trade out of the second round for future assets?
• Should a team with six players age 25 or under keep all three picks? -- Marks
Potential trade targets
James Wiseman
Obi Toppin
Tyrese Haliburton
Since the cost for moving up in the draft would almost certainly involve Mitchell Robinson, most around the league assume that the Knicks have Wiseman in mind if they are able to gain any traction. If they don't think either player will be available at No. 8, the possibility of moving up a few spots to nab one of Haliburton or Toppin might be more realistic. Haliburton looks like an excellent fit alongside franchise centerpiece RJ Barrett, bringing the type of defensive versatility, unselfishness and shooting range the team could surely use. -- Givony
Draft picks: No. 13, No. 24, No. 39, No. 42 and No. 60
GM David Griffin does not have a top-four pick this year to parlay into two firsts and an early second like he did last June. What he does have is five 2020 draft picks along with multiple future first-rounders via the Lakers and Bucks.
Even though Milwaukee and L.A. are contenders right now, their future picks might be too valuable to use just to move into the top six this year. But the Pelicans could be able to hold onto their best draft assets while still finding a package that moves them into the top 10 or allows them to trade for more future pieces. -- Marks
Potential trade targets
Patrick Williams
Isaac Okoro
Tyrese Haliburton
The Pelicans will already have some solid options at No.13 in a floor-spacer like Jalen Smith or a versatile forward like Saddiq Bey, but moving up to get a high-upside wing like Williams or a tough defender like Okoro could certainly make some sense to grow with Zion Williamson. Depending on what happens with Lonzo Ball, the Pelicans could also make a play for Haliburton. -- Schmitz
Draft picks: No. 14, No. 26, No. 30 and No. 47
There are few guarantees when it comes to the NBA draft but one thing is close to certain: The Celtics will not enter camp with three new first-round picks on the roster. Boston already has 14 players under contract, not including restricted free agent Brad Wanamaker, before free agency begins. Adding three rookies to the mix might not work.
The Celtics have three realistic options:
1. Package all three and attempt to move into the top 10
This is another form of consolidation and goes with the "quality over quantity" discussion that the Celtics will have leading up to the draft. It is also where the Celtics would need to trust their scouting department. For instance: What is the value of moving up to No. 8 to get the Knicks' pick? Is it worth picks No. 14, 26 and 30? Or how about picks No. 26 and No. 30 for the Nets' pick at No. 19?
2. Keep No. 14 but trade the two later first-round picks
Last year, the Celtics flipped pick No. 20 to Philadelphia for Nos. 24 and 33. They then sent No. 24 to Phoenix along with Aron Baynes in exchange for the Bucks' 2020 first-rounder (the No. 30 pick they hold now).
Boston was trading No. 20 for essentially two valuable picks: a future first-rounder and the third pick in the second round. Trading Baynes also cleared cap space to sign Kemba Walker and Daniel Theis. Of course, the downside is that Boston essentially passed on players like defensive stopper Matisse Thybulle (No. 20 pick) and All-NBA rookie first team Brandon Clarke (No. 21)
3. Stay pat and treat the draft like free agency
Boston will be limited as to how it can add to its roster for the foreseeable future. Walker signed a max contract last year, Jaylen Brown's extension begins this season and Jayson Tatum is likely to sign a max extension that would start in 2021-22.
If the Celtics are unable to find a trade partner for the first two options, they could simply add three new players via the draft. That would give Boston six first- or second-year players earning a combined $20 million per season, or just $3.3 million per player. With that, instead of a revolving door of minimum-contract or tax-midlevel signees, Boston would have bench stability at a low cost. -- Marks
Potential trade targets
Onyeka Okongwu
Okongwu is the missing piece for a Celtics team that needs not only a center of the future, but one who can also contribute immediately as a rim protector and pick-and-roll defender. Okongwu is the type of big who doesn't need offensive volume to have an impact, and would give Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge another young building block and two-way player alongside Brown, Tatum and Grant Williams. -- Mike Schmitz
Draft picks: No. 19 and No. 55
A year ago, Brooklyn traded the No. 27 pick (Mfiondu Kabengele) for Philadelphia's first-round pick this year (via the Clippers), which landed at No. 19. This year, GM Sean Marks should not look to punt on the draft but dangle Spencer Dinwiddie to secure an additional first-round pick. Dinwiddie is technically under contract for the next two seasons. However, because he has a $12.3 million player option for 2021-22, the Nets' guard will all but certainly become a free agent next offseason.
At a minimum, 15 teams are projected to have cap space of $15 million or more in the summer of 2021. Dinwiddie has established himself as a starting point guard, and he should see a more lucrative payday compared to what Brooklyn can offer him in an extension. Two trade partners that make sense for Brooklyn are Dallas (No. 19, 31 and Delon Wright) and Philadelphia (No. 21 and Josh Richardson).
There's also the possibility that the Nets' draft assets become an important part of any discussions with the Rockets surrounding James Harden. -- Marks
Potential trade targets
Obi Toppin
Deni Avdija
Tyrese Haliburton
Should the Nets move into the top 10, they'd be wise to target the draft's most NBA-ready prospects given their timeline with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. New York native Toppin would be an excellent fit, as he's comfortable playing off of other stars as a rim-runner, lob-catcher and floor-spacer, and his underrated passing ability would shine bright with talent around him. Haliburton would also fit nicely alongside Kyrie Irving, and Avdija would give the Nets versatility at 6-foot-10. -- Schmitz
Draft picks: No. 21, No. 34, No. 36, No. 49 and No. 59
The 76ers once again have an astounding number of draft picks. Can a roster that was built with title aspirations punt on free agency and fill the open roster spots with players selected on Wednesday?
Including the non-guaranteed contract of Furkan Korkmaz, the 76ers have 10 players. Filling out the roster via the draft would be the cost-efficient measure, considering that the five new players would combine to earn $7 million, in contrast to one player at the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel and two more with the $1.6 million minimum exception (the only ways the capped-out 76ers can add to the roster via free agency). Even with its roster crunch, Philadelphia could sign two of the second-round picks to two-way contracts and build out the bench with the other three prospects.
Philadelphia's wealth of picks gives the team a number of other trade options, including:
• Nos. 49 and 59 for cash to offset the luxury tax bill
• Nos. 34 and 36 for future draft assets
• Nos. 21 and 36 to a team like Brooklyn at No. 19
Potential trade targets
Tyrese Haliburton
Like the Nets, the Sixers are in win-now mode and need shooting more than ever. The 6-foot-6 Nesmith is arguably the best shooter in the draft after knocking down 52% of his triples on 115 attempts in 14 games last season. While Philly may not have to move up far, Saddiq Bey is a mature combo forward who can pass, dribble and shoot. Haliburton is maybe the best fit of them all, as he could provide shooting when Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid dominate the ball now, and eventually step in as the point guard of the future. -- Schmitz
In a holding pattern
While a short-term decision to move into the draft (Memphis) or up (Oklahoma City) has appeal, taking a patient, big picture approach makes the most sense for these teams unless an astounding deal materializes.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Draft pick: No. 40
The Grizzlies' first-round pick this year (No. 14), belongs to the Celtics thanks to the Jeff Green trade from 2015. They are, however, one of the few teams who possess a future first-round pick that is not their own.
If the Grizzlies want to jump into the first round (but not advised), they have picks from the Jazz (2022, top-six protected) and Warriors (2024, top-four protected) to use. -- Marks
Potential trade targets
Deni Avdija
Isaac Okoro
The Grizzlies need a wing in the worst way, and climbing into the top-10 to get the 6-foot-10 Avdija would give them a potential floor-spacer and secondary playmaker to spell Ja Morant for stretches. Head coach Taylor Jenkins could mix in a variety of different lineups given Avdija's versatility, especially with weapons like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke at his disposal. A 3-and-D wing like Vassell could also make a lot of sense and he has enough upside to grow alongside Morant. -- Schmitz
Draft picks: No. 25, No. 28 and No. 53
Considering that the Thunder have an outstanding amount of first-round picks and swap rights in the future, there will need to be restraint and patience in the draft room on Wednesday night. Yes, the Thunder could take the multiple firsts they have from the Clippers (2022, 2024 and 2026) to move into the top half of the lottery. While the Clippers should still be contenders in 2022 and maybe 2023 (if Paul George and Kawhi Leonard re-sign), less clear is where their roster will be in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Similarly, the long-term value of Houston's top-four-protected firsts in 2024 and 2026 -- acquired as part of the package in the Westbrook trade -- is an intriguing part of OKC's bounty. Russell Westbrook (age 32 by next season) and James Harden (31) have contracts that expire after the 2022-23 season and there is no guarantee that either will be on the roster when the picks come to fruition.
While the Thunder will likely be in a holding pattern with the Clippers and Rockets first, don't disregard them moving into the teens or possibly moving out of the first-round for additional assets. They have already acquired additional draft assets from the Lakers and Suns in trades this week. -- Marks
Potential trade targets:
Aleksej Pokusevski
If the Thunder can get into the late lottery, I'd be interested to see Maxey alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City. The Kentucky guards complement each other extremely well, as SGA has the size to defend off guards and shoulder ballhandling duties while Maxey can pester point guards and function both on and off the ball while sticking to what he does best: scoring. Oklahoma City may have to ultimately move up for Pokusevski, long linked to the Thunder at No. 25 overall. The skilled 7-foot Serbian can handle like a guard and shoot on the move, yet is a long way from being able to play in the NBA physically. -- Schmitz