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Boston Celtics draft news: Jayson Tatum might be the obvious choice at No. 3

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals forward Mangok Mathiang (12) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center.
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals forward Mangok Mathiang (12) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center. /
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On the same day the Boston Celtics officially traded the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, the team had Jayson Tatum in for a workout.

Danny Ainge is one fearless NBA executive.  Years from now he could be ripped apart for passing on Washington guard Markelle Fultz, but he could also be praised depending on what else results from the blockbuster deal between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

Many fans and some critics feel Ainge didn’t get enough in return for the No. 1 pick overall.  However, he could be considered a genius for getting the player he wanted anyways plus an additional asset.  That player could be Duke star Jayson Tatum.

On Monday, it was reported that the team worked out the 6-foot-8 forward.  It marked the first time Tatum visited the Celtics and apparently, he impressed the team with his offensive ability.

Both his size and athleticism should be appealing to the Celtics.  Like another player the team is high on, Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum has the ability to create his own shot and give the team some much needed rebounding.

In his only season at Duke, he averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Danny Ainge’s choice at No. 3 is his No. 1 choice

If it is Tatum or Jackson, Danny Ainge told the media on Monday that the player he selects would’ve been taken at No. 1.

Related Story: Boston Celtics draft prospects: Making a case for Jayson Tatum at No. 1

As the team wasn’t as high on Fultz as most, trading the top pick to a team who wanted him made the most sense.

"“We think there’s a really good chance the player we take at 3 is the player we would have taken at 1,” Ainge told the media, via NBA.com."

In adding an additional future first-round pick, Ainge has yet another asset to dangle in front of a team ready to get rid of a star in order to rebuild.  That player is highly rumored to be Jimmy Butler.  An even higher goal for Ainge is Anthony Davis.

Whatever the case, the Celtics president of basketball operations will make a move at some point.  Seven first-round picks in the next three years is a lot to hold onto for a guy who with the nickname “Trader Danny.”

Next: Boston Celtics: Making sense of the Markelle Fultz trade

For more Boston Celtics draft news, keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.

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