For the first time since 2015, the Celtics won’t have a top-five pick in the draft this year. However, it sounds like they may still have their eye on a top-five prospect.
According to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, sources say that Boston has expressed interest in Texas big man Mohamed Bamba, including interviewing him at the draft combine in Chicago earlier this month. The Celtics’ first-round pick is at No. 27, and Bamba is expected to come off the board within the first six or seven picks on draft night, so in order to have a shot at the young center, the C’s would need to move way up.
While a trade doesn’t seem particularly likely, Deveney has previously reported that the Grizzlies are open to making a move with the No. 4 pick, and suggests today that the Mavericks may be willing to discuss the No. 5 selection. Additionally, Boston has no shortage of potential trade chips. The team could own up to four first-round picks in 2019, including the Kings’ selection (if it doesn’t end up first overall). Plus, given the Celtics’ backcourt and wing depth, players like Terry Rozier or Jaylen Brown could become trade candidates for the right return.
The Celtics made a big draft trade last year when they sent the No. 1 pick to Philadelphia, but going from No. 27 into the top five would be an even more drastic move. As we wait to see if Boston seriously explores that possibility, let’s round up a few more Celtics notes…
- While Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck didn’t want to discuss specific dollar figures, he told Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald that ownership will have no qualms about spending to keep Boston’s roster together and pursue championships. “We put winning ahead of everything else,” Grousbeck said. “Every now and then you’ve got to make room and play the kids and get a Gordon Hayward in free agency, and other times you just try to keep a core together and build onto it. And we’re in the latter stage right now in trying to keep this group together and build onto it as best we can.”
- More from Grousbeck, via Bulpett: “We can’t keep everybody if we’re going to keep adding (because of roster size limitations), but everybody who’s watched this team for 15 years knows what we’re about. … We live for banners. We live for rings. That’s what we live for.”
- In a look at the Celtics’ potential roster and rotation for 2018/19, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe notes that Marcus Morris seems aware that a healthy lineup could create a minutes crunch for the team. “There’s going to be a lot of players next year, so I’m not 100% sure where I fit totally yet,” Morris said. “It’s just something I’m still kind of wary about.”
- Within that same story, Himmelsbach says it’s “quite unlikely” that the Celtics will have interest in re-signing Greg Monroe this summer.
The Bamba item might have legs, because without a true talented big, Boston will have to go with Horford at the 5 — and that’s unsustainable in series against Embiid and the Sixers. A starting 5 of Irving, Tatum, Hayward, Horford and Bamba could do a lot of damage.
Unsustainable?!?! Didn’t they already handle the sixers without a legit center?
I’d love to nab Bamba, but question what would it take. If the price isn’t too high then move up otherwise get a big at 27. My trade scenario would be Rozier and Kings pick and Clips pick(w/protections for 6th (Magic).
team is crazy deep, i wonder if that rotation would stay the same for the playoffs next year
Smart probably gets pushed out almost entirely even if he doesn’t leave.
Brown, #27, Sacramento’s 2019 pick (which would become the Clippers’ pick if Sacramento’s become #1), and some kind of sweetener to the Mavs for #5.
Such a crazy overpay for an unknown.
Brown was the #3 pick just two years ago… what has he done to show that his stock has dropped since then?
Exactly. I dont see these teams necessarily choosing Rozier. Brown would probably be the choice. However, I really dont sre why its necessary to do anything. Giving up Brown and a potential lottery pick for a guy who isn’t polished offensively seem like overkill. 27 and zbrown sounds more reasonable if it goes down. I just think Brown is going to be a beast and you could have options. Next year. Kyrie, Hayward, Horford, Brown and Tatum as a starting 5 is going to be difficult to guard against. Its mos def a small ball team I think with Horford at center. He’s not really suited for Center. Mamba sounds Interesting. However this team could win it all next year provided everyone is health
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Yeah no. Way overpay.
Never seen Brown play, eh?
Any NBA team that trades away a top 5 pick (or an elite young guy picked in that range) for pieces and/or remote draft picks should immediately fire their entire FO. Busts happen, but you have to at least try and get All Star level players when you have the chance to draft that high, or step aside and let someone else try.
I’d have more faith in Jaylen Brown, but it would fill a need for Boston. If they got Brown plus it’d be fine for whatever team it was.
Well- Celtics just traded the #1 pick, in order to get an additional possible remote draft pick. The front office should be safe for now anyways.
The fact that desperate teams in the top 5 of the draft would be willing to deal away a chance to get Bamba makes me think he could be more Fab Melo than Patrick Ewing. Would much rather make a godfather deal to pry K-A Towns from Minnesota than get bent over a barrel by some GM to trade up and get a project.
Also, I say ‘NO’ to Greg Monroe!
The problem isn’t whether the Celtics want La La Labamba, it’s the Celtics shouldn’t trade any core players. Draft picks, fine, bottom bench, fine, MM, a reluctant ok, but I doubt we get this done
I’m cool with using J. Brown & T. Rozier as trade bait while their stock is high because we’ll have a lot of wings when Hayward comes back and Tatum has more potential than Brown. Plus, Rozier will probably want more playing time when Irving comes back and Smart has more intangibles.
Can’t move Brown. He’s going to be a good one. Between Hayward, Brown and Tatum, they can cover two positions at peak performance, while providing depth in the case of injury.
I’d hate to trade Brown only cause I love the idea of him along with Tatum being star forwards averaging 20ppg but these past playoffs Tatum kinda outshined Brown a tad plus with Hayward coming back and Danny promising Al he wouldn’t have to play C I could see why. I think Memphis and Orlandos asking price would be minimal compared to Atlanta and Dallas.
I would honestly Trade (as much as I like him as a person and player) Gordon Hayward instead of Brown… Rozier and Hayward would be two id go with…
starting 5 would look like 1.Irving 2. Brown 3. Tatum 4. Horford 5. Bamba.
I honestly think Brown and Tatum both could be all-stars
I feel they jumped the gun signing Hayward after drafting Tatum and having Brown start. Best case scenario they draft Als future replacement at 27th and role with Tatum at PF barring some big trade. Doubt they’d flip Hayward though.
I just don’t think Ainge would trade Hayward this offseason because his stock is down coming off injury, he’s close with Coach Stevens, and Hayward was a huge FA get (like Hordford) so it would look bad to future FA’s if they trade him right away.
Agreed- especially with last statement. Boston has struggles signing big FAs in the past… getting Horford and Hayward was huge for them. Trading Hayward before he even played a full game would set them back in the future market… guys wouldn’t trust this front office.
It’s not a matter of his stock, it’s dumping the salary. He was a free agent signing. It’s not like they gave up anything for him.
I ‘d stay put and draft Wagner from Michigan at 27. This is a big tough kid with range and an attitude.
Is he projected to be there? I take back what I said. Keep the pick.
Yes but i get the feeling he’ll go earlier probably way earlier than 27th. Reminds me of back in 2016 when Celts had Maker pegged at 23 and he went to 10.
Move the 27th and Kings pick next year to Dallas for the 5th. Draft Bamba or Carter.
I just can’t see Dallas going for this… what is the upside? The Kings pick could be higher than 5, but it also could be 10th or lower too. Or what if it is #1 and instead it is the 20 something pick.
I like the idea of a trade, but I don’t think Celtics will be able to move in the top 5 without giving up a player and that pick.
If there’s one thing the Kings have been consistent with, it’s drafting in the lottery.
I hear ya. Maybe a Rozier or sign and trade of Smart along with the picks.
So basically what I reading from Celtics fans is that they are okay with trading bench crap and future picks (as long as they are not good) for the #5 pick. Enjoy picking #27.
C’s aren’t interested in consolidating assets unless they get better. It’s going to be difficult to move Brown and a pick and a get a better player in return. Rozier is up for grabs. Any pick is up for grabs. Any idea of Kyrie, Gordon or Tatum being moved is unrealistic.
If KAT or Davis was available… then I could see the Celtics moving Brown and more in order to get him. But for a top 5 or 6 pick – just can’t see it. Just my opinion.
I agree. Not worth taking the gamble for a potential project.
If Boston has 4 1strounders in 2019 and none of the choices are as useful as Bamba, then they screwed up in 2018 by not giving up a couple 1s or JBrown.
Reading these comments tells me people don’t understand basketball. I love a good rumor but trading Jaylen for top 5 pick to get Bamba is ridiculous. Did anyone even watch the conference finals. Not a lot of centers playing basketball.
Celtics often play 2 centers. GSW plays multiple centers and they’re the traditional kind. Houston’s centers are all traditional and always present, and the Cavs gave up making Love a center. Look at the NBA? Look at the winners!
The NBA is all about crunch time lineups. Aron baynes may have started but he played less the 20 min a game and doesn’t play in crunch time. Al isn’t a center he is a stretch 4. GS went to the Hampton 5 line up which doesn’t have a center vs Houston and took Capela out the series. Cavs played Thompson because love was getting killed by Al. My point is clear traditional centers can’t play when it matters most. Outside of Embiid.
Please Boston cannot ever give up Brown, Rozier or so on for a high lottery pick, if anything I would be more happy to give up Kyrie or maybe Gordon, but you cannot give the young talent & maybe mess up with the future. Unfortunately I think Hayward is the odd man out. As for sure JT is got a much much higher ceiling than him & I think even JB does too, as Hayward is only once been an all-star, never an all-nba, so unless he can play the PF, which I cannot see, where does he fit? JT hasn’t got the body.
The Celts should not be looking to trade up at all in this year’s draft. It may be boring, but I think they should play things out conservatively, no trades, sign FA Baynes for not more than 2 years, 14 million total. Say goodbye to Monroe and Larkin, make a qualifying offer to Smart, but only match if less than 11 million next year. Draft a guard like Kyrie Thomas, Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, Grayson Allen, or Gary Trent Jr, if available at #27.