While lottery picks and mid first-rounders have been the more popular topic of trade speculation leading up to next week’s draft, history tells us that the first-round selections most likely to be on the move are the ones in the back half of the round. And according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), several of those late first-rounders have been included in trade discussions as of late.

The Timberwolves, who hold the 28th overall pick, are “very much in conversation” to move that first-rounder, Fischer reports, writing that rival teams say Minnesota is searching for another ball-handler to add to its backcourt.

The Knicks, meanwhile, control the 24th and 31st picks, but they’ll likely trade at least one of them, per Fischer. It’s possible New York will decide to keep No. 24 and move No. 31, since the team would have nearly 24 hours between the first and second rounds to field trade offers and potentially create a bidding war for that selection.

Both the Wolves and Knicks are believed to have interest in Valencia guard Sergio de Larrea, says Fischer, though it’s unclear if either team would draft him in the first round if they were to keep their respective picks. While Fischer suggests that Minnesota could target the Spaniard in a trade-down scenario, he’s ranked 34th overall on ESPN’s big board, so he might not be available too far beyond the No. 28 pick.

The Nuggets and Celtics, who will pick 26th and 27th, respectively, have been “increasingly interested” in trying to move up in the first round, sources tell Fischer. Denver doesn’t have many future draft picks available to make the sort of aggressive offer that might be necessary to move up more than a couple spots, though the team does have a handful of trade candidates on its roster.

The Pelicans, whose own first-round pick is controlled by Atlanta, continue to actively try to get back into the first round, Fischer confirms. Previous reporting indicated that New Orleans is hoping to acquire a lottery selection and perhaps has a specific target in mind, but if there’s a player the Pelicans like in the back half of the first round, engaging teams like Minnesota and/or New York in the 20s could make sense.

Finally, while they’re not looking to move into the first round, the Pacers are hoping to acquire a pick early in the second round, Fischer reports. Indiana previously traded away both of its own selections in this draft, but drafting a second-rounder who would earn the rookie minimum would help the team manage its cap situation as it flirts with the luxury tax line.