Following the completion of the Celtics’ trade with the Sixers earlier this week, C’s president Danny Ainge suggested that the player the team drafted at No. 3 would likely be the same player the club would’ve taken at No. 1. Ainge reiterated that point on Thursday night, telling reporters that he felt the draft was “very even” at the top, and would’ve selected Jayson Tatum with the first overall pick (Twitter link).
Josh Jackson was the other prospect considered to be in play for that No. 3 pick, and Ainge admitted that he was upset when the former Kansas forward cancelled his workout with the Celtics. As Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com details, Ainge, Brad Stevens, and Mike Zarren flew out to Sacramento, only to find out that Jackson wouldn’t be working out. Ainge indicated that there may have been something to the idea that Jackson didn’t want to be drafted by Boston.
“Agents and players have all sorts of motivations to get to certain places, as we’ve seen in the past,” Ainge said, per Forsberg. “Remember last year, Kris Dunn didn’t want to come here; we didn’t hold it against him. We felt like we were just taking the player that we wanted [last year]. And I think the same thing this time. I don’t think we were trying to penalize Josh too much, but we didn’t get to see him or talk to him face-to-face.”
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Asked about the Kristaps Porzingis rumors that swirled around the Celtics this week, Ainge said that he felt they were “a little blown out of proportion” (Twitter link via Forsberg).
- Ainge suggested there could be “some truth” to the idea that teams ask for more from the Celtics in trades due to the team’s stockpile of assets (link via Scott Souza of The MetroWest Daily News). “People around the league know the things that we have and they are asking for some of our prime real estate,” Ainge said. “Over the last few trading periods it’s been a little bit of a hurdle. But the bottom line is we have to do the trades that we believe in.”
- One player Ainge generally isn’t interested in discussing in trade talks is Jaylen Brown. The team president said on CSNNE that Boston gets the urge to “hang up” when Brown’s name comes up in negotiations (Twitter link via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe).
- It’s possible that neither of the Celtics’ draft-and-stash prospects will be on the team’s Summer League roster. Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe tweets that Guerschon Yabusele won’t play due to foot surgery, while Ainge said that Ante Zizic has visa issues, raising doubts about his status (Twitter link via Jay King of MassLive.com).
I can understand Tatum + a no. 1 rather than Fultz with so many other point guards; good trade for C’s. And too many ‘red flags’ to take Jackson — another good call. Looking forward to what other changes are made to the roster before camp to get this team in a position to at least get to 2017/2018 finals.
And they complement Tatum with Ojeleye later on
Luke not to be rude but the Celtics had the 3rd pick, not the 4th.
Thats rude
Thank you for the very polite correction. Fixed now!
Bro you can’t talk to Luke Adams like that this man deserves respect
Luke is gaining a cult following in these comments sections (deservingly so). All we need to do is give him a fantastic nickname. Let’s make that the next community shootaround
Tatum reminds me so much of Pierce with Derek Jeter type leadership. I love the pick he gives us the scoring we need. Zizic is what we need right now as well , rim protector and rebounder if he was in this years draft he would have gone 12-15 just after Collins at C . Yabusele tough shortish banger not sure how well his game will translate in NBA . Abdel Nader very solid bench piece, Rookie of the Year the D league 21 pts 7 reb 4 ass top 10 scorer #2 in league in usage. Solid. Love Semi from SMU in round 2 . Celts need to scoop up Hayward and trade for a big man Deandre Jordan for Memphis #1 next year and whatever pick is lower next year either the one from Nets or the one we got in Philly trade ( both our top picks could be top 4 picks next year) and send them Zeller and Olynk to give some salary back.
C D Jordan PF Horford SF Tatum SG Hayward PG I. Thomas bench starts with Jae Crowder Jaylen Brown Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart Terry Rozier and Zizic and last spot up for grabs with Semi O Abdel Nader etc… ridiculous depth but we still need a big-time star to get to the next level
Honestly I rather them sign Hayward and trade for DJ. Probably cost Crowder Rozier and a 1st maybe 2019. Could even offload Mickey if needed since Clips need youth. Just hope if they don’t sign Hayward that Ainge has a back up plan. 2018 champs baby Celtics!!!
Hayward cant play sg…
Well said, Jordan might be an under the radar pickup for the Celts! Especially after rumors of LAC fielding trade offers!
Is it just me or is it totally frustrating at possibly not being able to see Zizic and Yabu against real competition in the Summer League??
I’m tired of watching YouTube clips on these guys and not knowing if Ainge was a genius or if he should’ve packaged these picks last year.
Not only that but these Euros need to get a baptism in the NBA and C’s system ASAP or they may end up as useless as other C’s recent draft choices like Mickey, Zagorac, Jackson, Bentil, Allen, and J. Bird that Ainge insisted on selecting.
Until the C’s hire a scout away from the Spurs or Warriors, they’re prob better off packaging these lower picks instead of letting them die on the vine.