The Celtics continue to search for potential pathways to get into the top three of tonight’s NBA draft, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). An earlier report suggested the C’s haven’t had much luck gaining traction on a move into the mid-lottery using their current three first-round picks (Nos. 14, 26, and 30).
It’s unclear if a potential deal involving Gordon Hayward would provide a path for the Celtics to move up in the draft. Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link) hears that the team is “mostly in a holding pattern” with Hayward for the time being.
Following up on a Tuesday report which indicated that the Hawks are eyeing Hayward, Jared Weiss of The Athletic cites a person familiar with the forward’s thinking who says Hayward wants to be a core part of a winning team and may not be interested in a move to Atlanta. Weiss wonders if the report linking Hayward to the Hawks may have been leaked to increase the 30-year-old’s leverage as he weighs his player option decision.
Meanwhile, in his latest Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst theorized that the Cavaliers, who hold the No. 5 pick, could be a landing spot for Hayward. Cleveland has interest in Hayward, according to Windhorst, who speculated that the Cavs and Celtics could be open to a deal that involves Andre Drummond and a draft-pick swap. Of course, if Hayward is prioritizing playing for a contender, he may try to angle to avoid a move to Cleveland.
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors, with the draft around the corner:
- Also in Windhorst’s latest Hoop Collective podcast, he and colleague Zach Lowe identified the Kings and Magic as two teams that may be looking to get a little younger this offseason rather than being content with competing again for the No. 8 seed. Nemanja Bjelica was identified by Lowe as a possible trade candidate to watch in Sacramento, while Windhorst added that Orlando would likely be open to moving Evan Fournier.
- Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link) wouldn’t be surprised if the Mavericks renew their interest in shooting guard Danny Green, who is being sent to Oklahoma City in a deal for Dennis Schröder. Dallas attempted to sign Green in free agency a year ago, and the rebuilding Thunder are unlikely to be too attached to him.
- Although the Nuggets had interest in acquiring Jrue Holiday, they were surprised by what it cost Milwaukee to land him and didn’t feel pressure to make as significant an offer as the Bucks did, as Mike Singer of The Denver Post explains.
Celtics want picks , not recent finals appearances, magic wanna remain mediocre rather then a contender…I swear some of these presidents/GM’s of teams should be fined when they can’t show they have improved within a 4 year span!
The Celtics want picks because signing old guys didn’t work Hayward and kemba didn’t work the future of that team is Tatum and brown now their trying to add to that
All those top picks over the years and no finals appearances. Celtics aren’t about winning and it shows. Watch they don’t trade for the right big man…
Everyone says this. They’ve only had 3 top ten picks since 2008. Tatum, Brown and Smart.
They’ve had 2-3 all-star caliber players over the last 4 years and no finals appearances. Let’s see if they will get an upgrade over Theis. Smart money says picks are preferred… Kemba still didn’t lead them to the finals, neither did Tatum.
Idk if you can really blame those guys Hayward got a very gruesome injury in his first game so it may have effect his mind set as for Kemba well he’s over paid they did play well when he was healthy and the break really didn’t help any of his progress with the team but in leadership and attitude where a major upgrade over crazy Kyrie (obviously not skill set)
but everything else you said is 100% correct on Danny should be fired if they don’t make the finals this yr or if he doesn’t improve this time during the draft and free agency they need a big and bench help but they’ll probably fire Brad Stevens first
Moving Love for Hayward puts them in East finals. Don’t get why they have hung onto a Hayward this long. Not the same player no reason to keep him. When Tatum plays same position. Even Aldridge would have been a better fit. Both were available. Three rookies are not going to get them in Finals. Time to grow some get bold. Even Drummond for a yr makes team better. Kemba has only been here a yr. A pandemic yr had nagging injuries. How can you give on him. He still scored 20. If anything his ast should have been better. Still an upgrade over Kyrie drama. Celtics got exposed by Bam. He’s not even a true center. Celtics need a real rim protector. And a stretch 4 like Love who rebounds is perfect IMO. I agree Celts should be looking at vets, young vets. They need to go for it now. It’s like they are in a holding pattern.
Agree 100%
uh…Magic GM was hired summer 2017 and within 1 season turned a capped out half decade bottom feeder team into a playoff team…all while fielding one of younger rosters in NBA.
FYI, small markets can’t attract big name FA’s so quick turnarounds don’t happen, hence they have to take gradual steps up the ladder or bottom out and cross fingers that draft gods bless them.
dallas better not trade pick 18 for lou williams or danny green… id be fine trading justin jackson or dorrell wright for d.green stright up
Danny Green is trash
I can’t think of any way that the Celts could get into the top 3 of the draft unless they’re willing to trade Brown or Tatum. 14, 26 and 30 don’t equal top 7-8, let alone top 3. Hayward isn’t going to add much value, if any. Maybe if they assume Wiggins contract, GSW would send them 2, for Hayward and their 3 picks.
I disagree. The 14 and one of those picks would probably get you 10. Logically adding an additional 1st round, even a low one would move you up another 3-4 picks. If I was Atlanta and not enamored with anyone at 6, I would take the three picks for 6. And with as many needs as Detroit has, they should be all over the deal at 7.