Boston Celtics: History of the Third Pick

Here is a look at every player taken with the third pick since the 2000 Draft

The Boston Celtics landed the dreaded third pick in the draft this year. There’s usually a couple of players ahead of the pack leading up to the draft, however, this year there isn’t a lot of faith outside of the first two picks.

Throughout the history of the NBA there have been a lot of busts and really good players selected with the third pick. The greatest player of all-time, Michael Jordan, was selected by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 with the third pick. The Celtics won’t hit that big in this draft, but there is still hope that they can land a player who will become a solid contributor for many years.

Here is a look at every player selected with the third pick since the 2000 Draft (italics indicate at least one All-Star appearance):

2000 – Darius Miles, Los Angeles Clippers

2001 – Pau Gasol, Atlanta Hawks

2002 – Mike Dunleavy Jr, Golden State Warriors

2003 – Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

2004 – Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls

2005 – Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

2006 – Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats

2007 – Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

2008 – O.J. Mayo, Minnesota Timberwolves

2009 – James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

2010 – Derrick Favors, New Jersey Nets

2011 – Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz

2012 – Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

2013 – Otto Porter, Washington Wizards

2014 – Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

2015 – Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Over the past 16 drafts there have been many All-Stars drafted with the third pick, and a couple of busts. Two of the best players in the NBA – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony – were both picked at three, a good sign for the Celtics. Last year’s third pick, Jahlil Okafor, lived up to his draft position by being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

While only five of the past 16 players picked third overall have made an All-Star team, there were very few busts with the pick. Sure, some players didn’t live up to the hype but only a couple can be considered a bust.

Otto Porter of the Washington Wizards was on the fence heading into this season before finally putting together a respectable season. Besides Joel Embiid, who hasn’t played in a NBA game yet because of injuries, Adam Morrison was the only one not to have a long career in the NBA.

Darius Miles last played during the 2008-09 season and Ben Gordon didn’t play this past season but the rest of the group is still in the league.

Since 1980, the Celtics have only picked third twice. In 1980 they drafted Kevin McHale, who became a Hall of Famer with the Celtics. In 1997, Chauncey Billups was selected with the third pick and he had a very productive and long career in the NBA. He made multiple All-Star appearances with the Detroit Pistons, where he was the starting point guard on a championship team.

There is a lot of talk about this being a weak draft and focus on the top-two picks, however, the Celtics are not in bad shape. It’s rare that a team has a top-five pick and doesn’t draft a player who has at least a decent NBA career. There are busts in every draft, however, Boston has a history of being a good drafting team.

There might not be another franchise altering player outside of the top-two but there is still a lot of talent. There hasn’t been an All-Star selected third overall since 2009, so maybe Boston will be able to break the streak.

Also, the past two teams to select third overall have done so two years in a row. The Celtics have the option to swap picks with the Brooklyn Nets next year and there’s a good chance they’ll be around this position again.

Next: Five Trade Targets With the Number Three Pick

The Celtics are two-for-two when drafting third overall since 1980 and the recent history of the pick has a very good track record. If history repeats itself then Boston will end up with a very good player.