In an interesting piece devoted to what Danny Ainge and the Celtics might do next, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald writes that the team’s trade with the Sixers doesn’t necessarily make a ton of sense to him and that Boston seems hardly better equipped to pull off a trade for a star veteran.
Still, Bulpett preaches patience. After all, the last time Bulpett had this feeling of a wasted trade – following the acquisition of Ray Allen – Ainge went ahead and dealt for Kevin Garnett, rendering that previous move more meaningful. In his piece, Bulpett also speculates that there must have been something about Markelle Fultz that gave Boston pause, since, on the surface, he is exactly the type of player the team needs.
Here’s more from the Atlantic division:
- The Celtics have named Scott Morrison an assistant coach for the 2017/18 season, says Chris Reichert of FanSided’s The Step Back (link via Twitter). Morrison had been coach of the Maine Red Claws in the NBA Development League.
- Raptors GM Masai Ujiri said that there are approximately five different paths or directions the front office has studied and is prepared to take depending on how free agency turns out, tweets Josh Lewenberg of TSN 1050.
- Lewenberg also tweets that Ujiri says he’s “open-minded” with his use of the 23rd overall pick. He does not expect the Raptors trade the pick, but would consider drafting a project, stashing a prospect, or nabbing a more NBA-ready player.
What is Bulpett thinking? If we are to believe Ainge he drops down to 3 and gets the same guy he would take at 1, pay him less money, and gets another potential lottery pick in 2018 or 2019 in what may be better drafts for franchise players.
Maybe because it’s very peculiar that Ainge dealt the coveted #1 overall pick that the franchise finally landed for the first time in their history several days before the draft? Maybe because Ainge should’ve gotten more for trading down than protected picks? Or maybe because it’s been 3 years since the owner of the Celtics promised fireworks?
While I think criticism towards Boston for the trade is ridiculous, I could see Ainge being turned off by Fultz motor
Wreck less speculation by Bulpett and nothing more.