Report: Celtics looking to make aggressive move at NBA Draft
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
With just over two weeks to go until this year’s NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics are aggressively trying to maneuver into a top spot.
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Celtics have offered all three of their current first round picks in trades, in an effort to move up in the draft. “So far, no one is biting,” O’Connor adds.
How fare up might they be looking to move? The Celtics currently hold the 14th (from Memphis), 26th (their own), and 30th (from Milwaukee) overall picks in this year’s draft. According to a trade chart from ESPN NBA Draft analyst Kevin Pelton, those three picks could fetch up to the fourth-overall selection in return.
For a team that was missing an interior presence last year, such a move would be appealing. The top of this draft class has a number of promising big men, including Dayton’s Obi Toppin, USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, and Memphis’ James Wiseman.
This report adds on to what seems to be a busy fall for Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge, who is also rumored to be actively fielding offers for forward Gordon Hayward.
After a disappointing playoff exit, is Ainge trying to retool the roster around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker to make another run in a weak Eastern Conference? It’s starting to look like that is his plan.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
