The Celtics may want to move up in the draft, but getting a deal done won’t be easy, writes Tom Westerholm of MassLive. Other teams recognize Boston’s urgency to turn the 14th, 26th and 30th picks into a higher selection, which means president of basketball operations Danny Ainge might have to attach a significant asset to entice a trading partner.
Westerholm states that Tremont Waters, Carsen Edwards or Romeo Langford probably won’t be enough, and teams are more likely to ask for Grant Williams or Robert Williams, whom the Celtics would prefer to hold onto. Instead of moving up in the lottery, Boston may opt to keep the 14th choice and try to package No. 26 and No. 30 for a selection in the middle of the first round. They could also opt to use those two picks on draft-and-stash players who wouldn’t be on the roster next season.
- Aaron Nesmith of Vanderbilt is the betting favorite to be the Celtics‘ selection if they keep the No. 14 pick, according to Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston. Nesmith, ranked 13th on ESPN’s list of the top 100 prospects, is listed as +550 and is followed by Patrick Williams of Florida State and Saddiq Bey of Villanova, both at +600.
- Eric Koreen of The Athletic tries to build the perfect offseason for the Raptors, which includes re-signing free agents Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, Chris Boucher and Oshae Brissett. Also in Koreen’s scenario, Toronto lures Harry Giles away from the Kings at $4.2MM for one season with a player option for 2021/22, and drafts Malachi Flynn and Paul Eboua. In a potentially significant move for the future, Koreen has Giannis Antetokounmpo turning down a super-max offer from the Bucks.
- John Abbamondi, the new CEO of BSE Global, the Nets‘ parent company, relies on his military training to succeed in the business world, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. A former Navy pilot, Abbamondi is looking forward to the upcoming season. “We have a really exciting season coming up,” he said. “We’re thrilled with the coaching staff (Steve Nash) has put together, excited to see (Kevin Durant) and (Kyrie Irving) on the court together, and there’s a whole bunch of talented players on this roster. There’s a lot to look forward to. We do hope to have fans back in the building at some point, although we have to be realistic: Everybody’s safety and health comes first.”
There’s a typo you may want to fix: Giannis “turning down” the max offer, not “during”.
Gasol will go back to the Raptors, Ibaka has stated he does not want to play the center position in the past. Ibaka and siakam play the four, Ibaka is a goner
How long ago was this? Ibaka has played center almost his whole career. In the new NBA no team is going to have ibaka as there permanent 4.
So how is it a bunch of lottery teams are not fond of the draft and want to trade down… and simultaneously Boston will have trouble trading up?
Doesn’t make sense.
Exactly.
The drop off from the top 6 to 14th isn’t worth all those late first that Boston has, especially in a weak draft.
If the C’s do have trade a body also Grant
Sorry it cut me off I would deal him in a heartbeat he’s a dime-a-dozen type player and toss in Edward’s they don’t need anymore young talent we need some vet help of the bench
If their able to jump up in they need to draft a big that should be the only position they look for in the draft
I think GM Ainge painted himself into a corner by selecting 17 picks in the last 4 years in a league that has very few impact players outside the first 5 picks.
Ainge wasted all his late firsts, while nailing Brown Tatum and Smart picks. All those late firsts could’ve been traded for an impact player, but Ainge is waaaay too gun shy
Agree…’Trader Danny’ turned into ‘Hoarder Danny’ or better yet ‘Over-Value Danny’ and with the G-League stocked the rest of the league knows he’s up against the wall and has to deal from a position of weakness, so there’s no way he’s going to get a deal to his liking.
Just wondering when Celtics’ ownership will take the GM for life tag off of Ainge and force him to make a deal even if it isn’t a home run?
More like sit on my hands Ainge unless it’m completely violating the other team. He messed up by not trading of Tristan Thompson last season. I’m sure all those picks could’ve got something done with Cleveland. And they lost in the playoffs because of their inability to slow down Bam.
I think Robert Williams was really good at the end of the season and Grant Williams makes sense in small lineups. I think they went away from their best lineup at times, and thats when they got hurt. Celtics could use a shooter though
Celtics have maybe the largest collection of great young talent in the league right now. So Danny does not bat 1000. Who are you replacing him with? Who is doing a better job that is also available?
I am curious does green kool-aid have a lime taste? Many teams draft better Euros and better later in the first or even the second round than Ainge. Look back at his 17 picks in the last 4 years (I think one draft he insisted on picking 8 players) see where they are now. The Celtics have the largest collection of young players not talent.
Celtics have a couple of spots they can move on from, and could use shooting at the guard spot, or with their roster versatility could allow that shooter at the 4 instead, possibly a big that can defend/space the floor, and possibly a backup pg
If they keep their picks, I have Toppin, Achiuwa, and Mannion going to them in the first round, and vernon carey at 47. Obviously, I dont expect them to keep all of their picks, and they’ll likely have to find a way to trade up for Toppin, even though he doesnt fit anyone else in the lottery…
I could see them trying to use that 14th pick,Watters, Javonte Green, a future asset, possibly even Edwards, and maybe that 30th or 47th pick to attempt to move up for Toppin, although Nesmith would make a lot of sense for them if they stay at 14, of the wings that are in that area, depending on how the board looks. I have him there at 16 for Portland, so outside of moving, that might be the ideal fit
Harry Giles was among the names on my list for Toronto, as well as Noah Vonleh, other similar bigs, and a couple of shooters…i also have flynn to them in the draft
P Williams and Bey are nice players. Like them both. At 14 either a shooter or PG. K Lewis should be there. Celtics don’t need to trade up. Unless it’s for Wiseman, Toppin, or Okongwu. They are real talent and fit their biggest need. Pretty sure all will be gone by 6-8. Celtics window is now. So they would want a player that can play, help now. Imagine if they had Okongwu guarding Bam. I think he fits their team Chemistry best. Celtics still need a rim protector. But that they can get in FA.