Most Celtics-related trade speculation focuses on players on their current roster, or their collection of future draft picks, but the team has another group of assets that is drawing trade interest around the NBA, reports Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. According to Deveney, potential trade partners are keeping a close eye on the Celtics’ 2016 draft-and-stash players, including Ante Zizic and Guerschon Yabusele.
“They did a nice job of getting guys they could develop, and if you know you can’t get the big picks they have this year or next year, [then] the players they took last year, that is where you can get a lot of value,” one NBA general manager told Deveney.
Zizic, in particular, has attracted attention from teams and scouts around the league. After starting the season with Cibona Zagreb in Croatia, the 20-year-old made the move to Darussafaka, David Blatt‘s team in Turkey. It was a step up in competition for Zizic, who was selected 23rd overall in the 2016 draft, and he has responded well so far. In fact, the GM who spoke to Deveney believes Zizic would be a lottery pick if he were draft-eligible in 2017, even though this year’s draft class is viewed as deeper than 2016’s.
As for Yabusele, the 16th overall pick in 2016 has played second fiddle to Jimmer Fredette on the Shanghai Sharks this season, as Fredette has averaged a CBA-best 37.0 PPG. However, Yabusele has been a key piece for the CBA’s top team, averaging 21.1 PPG and 9.4 RPG in 31 contests.
“He is built sort of like Jae Crowder, he is big up top and is a physical player,” an international scout said of the French forward. “But he has more offensive potential. He is already a pretty good shooter from the perimeter, and he is athletic, but he needs to get smoother with his game. He is not going to back anyone down, even at his size, so he needs to work on his ballhandling. But he can rebound and he can score, he will be a very solid NBA player.”
In addition to their two first-round draft-and-stash prospects, the Celtics selected Abdel Nader in the second round of last year’s draft and had him sign an NBADL contract, stashing him in the D-League. Nader isn’t receiving the same sort of trade interest as Boston’s first-round selections, but he has arguably been the D-League’s best rookie so far this season, averaging 22.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.6 APG.
The Celtics, already stacked with young players and future picks, are unlikely to overload their roster next season with more first-year players, so Zizic and Yabusele will be worth keeping an eye on as this month’s trade deadline nears.
I liked both Yabusele and Nader coming out of the draft and in summer league. Yabusele kind of has a similar body type to Draymond Green, but not entirely defined…I thought China was a good fit for him b/c of the up and down tempo of that league. B/c of his fit on the Celtics roster, I personally don’t think he’d be included in a trade that has other top assets. Could say the same about Nader for his 3 and D wing possibilities. I could see Zizic go if they trade for a rim protecting big
Zizic, BKN pick, Rozier, Amir, other picks for Cousins?
The only way SAC moves Cousins is if they get another established superstar back in a deal
I’d have to disagree. Throw Jae Crowder into that deal, let them have their choice of 2 first rounders that aren’t the 1 remaining nets pick, and they could get Boogie and McClemore. I’d love to see them also ship a first to Phoenix for PJ Tucker, and they’d be a legitimate contender in the East.
Ya I think if you throw Crowder in there you definitely could get him for that; Maybe throw in the 2019 memphis or Celtics pick. Cousins only has 1 year remaining after this one…
….at that point, I’d go for Butler though, assuming he may he available
I really liked Yabusele in the sl as well, I thought he might make the roster, we have to get rid of j. Young he is no NBA player for me…