As of the now the Boston Celtics are a top heavy team in the Eastern Conference, and a potential threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Back in 2013 the famous blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to the Nets for three first round draft picks as well as the right to swap picks in 2017 was classified as robbery in favor of the Celtics. Since then, the Brooklyn Nets has made one playoffs appearance, and the Celtics have been on the rise since. With those picks the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and James Young, all solid players currently on the roster. The Nets did not have a 1st round pick in 2016, with those other picks they drafted Chris McCullough, Mason Plumlee, and a bunch of no names who aren’t even on the roster still.
The Nets currently has the worst record in the NBA at 16-57 and the Celtics are a borderline championship team at 48-26. From the perspective of many analyst, they are only one move away from a championship appearance. Boston with that 2017 pick can choose between a pool of college talents that including, Kansas forward, Josh Jackson, UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball, Kentucky shooting guard, Malik Monk, and a point guard heavy draft.
Which player would make the most sense?
With Isaiah Thomas being the franchise player in Boston and a miniature 5’9, it’ll be strange to imagine Boston drafting another point guard. Especially a star talent that potential will be bigger and have a better career than him. That scratches out Lonzo Ball, and Washington guard, Markelle Fultz. Boston shooting guard Avery Bradley is a core player, and has the longest tenure on the team. He’s an all-NBA defensive player and 2nd in scoring, averaging 16.7 points. With all of that being said, he’s only 26 and has been in the league since 2010, maybe they move him to get younger.
Allonzo Trier, out of Arizona is the only pure shooting guard close enough to a lottery pick, ranking at the #12 prospect per CBS Sports Draft Big Board.
The Celtics are a defensive minded team, the only non-defensive player is the point guard Isaiah Thomas. Drafting Josh Jackson would make perfect sense only if they have plans on moving forward, Jae Crowder, who has also been a solid defender. Jackson is 6’8 207lbs, averaging 16.3 points 7.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists for the Kansas Jayhawks and is ranked the #2 prospect for CBS. He’s only 20 years old and right now he’s a better overall basketball than what the Celtics have at his position.
