Boston Celtics
After a successful season as they surpassed expectations with great coaching from Brad Stevens, an All-Star appearance from Isaiah Thomas, fluid, fast-paced team play and elite perimeter defense, the Celtics have been rumored as a team ready to take the next step for some time.
They need more offense and help for Thomas, and with so many valuable young role players on their roster and eight picks (three in the first round) of this year’s NBA Draft, a blockbuster trade is surely on the way, right?
Well, as Keith Pompey of Philly.com has reported, there’s “a sense” in Boston that the Celtics will be keeping the 3rd pick, after all. He added that they would be expected to take either Jaylen Brown or Kris Dunn if that’s the case, possibly trading the latter to one of the many teams who would love to get their hands on him.
However, while that may surprise us and be the case, the Celtics are still left with seven other draft picks, including the 16th overall selection that many teams will be interested in. You can include the Clippers in that group.
per @chadfordinsider the Celtics have a standing offer from the Sixers: Okafor for the #3 - so far C's "want more"
— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) June 23, 2016
As ESPN’s Marc Stein has reported, though, the Celtics have tried to trade the 3rd overall pick in a package for a top player; their offers just haven’t been enough:
"But sources told ESPN that the Celtics, to date, have been rebuffed in their efforts to assemble a sufficiently enticing deal to acquire any of these four prime targets: Chicago Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward and Milwaukee Bucks teammates Jabari Parker or Khris Middleton."
Even if the No. 3 pick stays in Danny Ainge’s hands, you can certainly expect others to be on the move. And if he does trade for a star, Celtics fans will hope it isn’t the defenseless center that is Greg Monroe (another rumored possibility).
Next: Checking in with the Clippers