Should the Boston Celtics trade down if they land a Top-3 NBA Draft pick?
The Boston Celtics are still fighting through Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs, but with the draft lottery coming up they have more to think about.
The Boston Celtics should trade down if they land a top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery. The top 3 players in the draft are all point guards, and it’s just not a position of need for the C’s.
Markelle Fultz is the favorite to be selected by the Celtics, but should they really draft him? No. Instead, Boston should send the #1, #2 or #3 draft pick away in exchange for another first round pick and a young, talented player.
Boston could look to trade with the Sacramento Kings for a player like Skal Labissiere and one of their two first round picks. They could still come away with a top-10 talent, while also adding young, 6’11” power forward.
Labissiere is not a superstar, but he would be a great addition to Boston’s bench if the team moves on from Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko or Kelly Olynyk.
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Boston will likely still aim to land a high-profile player in free agency, and some believe a Gordon Hayward deal is nearly a done deal. Hayward would reunite with his former college head coach Brad Stevens.
If the Celtics truly believe they can land Gordon Hayward, they should not draft in the top-3. This team should aim to win now. They could roll out a starting lineup of Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Gordon Hayward, Jae Crowder and Al Horford. They’d also still have Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier coming off the bench. Adding Skal Labissiere to that second mix could be huge, and could go a long way towards the Celtics making a run at a title in 2018.
Boston should aim to win now, not later.
Next: Draft Profile: Markelle Fultz
In the NBA, you never know how things will shake out 3-5 years from now. Another superteam could even be formed by then, and then you’ve wasted your window of opportunity to win an NBA Championship.