Boston Celtics Should Trade Up to No. 1

The Boston Celtics did not see their third pick move during the draft lottery, but that does not mean that they will be picking at number three. With two bigs, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram the two clear cut top picks, the Celtics should package some of their assets in order to trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, who already have top prospects in their front court.

The Celtics need to improve their front court and they have more assets than they can use. They will not be sacrificing more than they can afford to move up to number one and, for the Celtics, the difference between picking 1 and 3 can transform the franchise.

The 76ers have Nerlens Noel, they have Jahlil Okafor and, if he gets healthy, they have Joel Embiid. If the 76ers want to select the best player available, they are much better suited at the number thre pick, where they can take the top point guard in the draft, Kriss Dunn.

The Celtics, on the other hand, are in the opposite position of the 76ers. They have all the youth and depth they need in the back court, with almost nothing in the front court. The Celtics need to get top talent in their front court and if they do not land Ingram or Simmons, they may not get the answer in this draft. Dragan Bender could be an intriguing option at 3. Unfortunately, there is too much uncertainty around him, giving the Celtics a much safer selection.

Normally. trading up to the top pick involves giving up much more than it is worth. The Celtics. however, have enough assets that they can afford to over pay, without sacrificing too much in their future. Throw in that the 76ers are not falling too far and the Celtics are in an ideal position to make the move that will land them their top player in this draft.

The Celtics have 2 other first round draft picks this season, and another potential top pick coming their way via the Nets next season. The Celtics should be done collecting their assets and it is time for them to cash in, and they may not find a better situation than what is presented with the 76ers in this years draft.

Perhaps the Celtics could use their top pick in a trade for an already established player. Both Jimmy Butler and Paul George may be options and if Danny Ainge can make that happen that is surely the top option. Unfortunately, the Celtics will have to give up a lot more in addition to the third overall pick, and that may include some of the more important players currently on the team. Coming up with a deal for some like like Butler or George will be more difficult than trading up to the top pick in the draft.

The Celtics will try to rebuild though free agency but they have an opportunity to get a chance at that transcendent talent through the draft and their chances of landing that talent, along with addressing their biggest needs, is much better if they find a way to move up in the draft. Even if Ingram may not be a tradition big, there is no doubting he can become the ideal stretch four for Brad Stevens.

Simmons may not have the shooting ability of Ingram but his rebounding and passing are already at an elite level. The Celtics could run their offense through and around Simmons. Simmons has the versatility to play multiple positions and the same goes for Ingram. The Celtics have an opportunity to get their most talented and top prospect on the team in this draft, and they my never get another opportunity at that.

Danny Ainge has also shown a willingness to move up in the draft. It was well documented how much he pushed  to trade up for Justise Winslow last season. Now, the Celtics are in a better position with better assets and the 76ers are a perfect partner as a team that needs to take the best player available, while desperately needing to address their back court, rather than their front court. The Celtics can make an offer that will be worth it for the 76ers with draft picks alone.

Trading up to number hinges on the idea that Simmons and Ingram are clearly at the head of the pack. If the Celtics have another player in mind, that will also be available at three, and who they believe is as good as Ingram or Simmons, then they will stay put and use their assets for something on top of what could be their top player in the draft..

Right now, everything is pointing to Ingram and Simmons being by far the most coveted players in this draft and the Celtics should avoid being in a position where a guard is the best player available. The Celtics have loved drafting guards and with talents like Buddy Heild, Dunn, and Jamal Murray being available at three the Celtics may go that way once again. The top end of this draft does feature more front court talent but Danny Ainge has made it clear that they will be taking the best player available, regardless of position.

The Celtics have all the assets they need to make big movements this offseason and that can start by getting the number one overall pick. The needs of the Celtics and the 76ers suits this trade incredibly well. The Celtics have all kinds of assets that they are no longer in dire need of, and the 76ers are still in a position where they need to be thinking about the potential value of those long term assets.

Next: The Boston Celtics Land the 3rd Pick in the Draft

If the 76ers are dead set on the player that they believe will change their franchise then the asking price may be too much. That being said, the Celtics have an opportunity to go out and get their top prospect in the most important draft in the Brad Stevens era.