Rumors: Boston Celtics Selling the 3rd Pick

It comes as no surprise to hear about the Boston Celtics looking to trade one of their 8 draft picks, but CSN’s insider Sherrod Blakely had this to say about which pick they would like to trade: “[I’m] hearing that No. 3 pick overall is the one that they are really shopping” (via CSNNE). She also added that the Celtics want ” to be as aggressive as possible in trying to move that pick, because they want to get a difference-making, impact player right now. And they believe using that No. 3 pick, and maybe some other players and/or picks, might be the best way to [make] that happen”.

The Celtics realize that their third overall pick may be their most valuable asset and if they are looking to make the kind of blockbuster trade that Danny Ainge keeps talking about, then it will almost certainly include the third pick.

The fact that the Celtics are being this aggressive with the third pick in particular shows the kind of faith they have that they can find and develop that transcendent talent with their selection. The third pick continues to feel all over the place. There’s talk of Dragan Bender, Jamal Murray, Marquese Chriss, Jaylen Brown, Buddy Hield and I’m sure many others.

The Celtics may not have one guy in mind or they may not believe in the high end potential of their guy and they want to make sure they do everything to get that sure thing, even if it means spending more than just the third overall pick.

Unfortunately, Celtics fans should temper their expectations. There probably has not been a single point in Ainge’s GM career where he has not been an aggressive trader. The reality of the situation is that these trade are incredibly difficult to work out.

The Celtics may be aggressively looking to trade the third pick but that does not mean they are going to give it up easily. Ainge has been an aggressive trader, but he has also been a smart trader. He has always been willing to move these kinds of significant pieces, but he will not do it unless they are absolutely certain of the player they are getting. Throw in that the duration of the player’s current contract is also a factor and there are more things working against a trade than working for it.

There are players out there like Jimmy Butler and Paul George, who have been speculated as potential trade targets for teams looking to rebuild. Although, most of that hype is generated outside of the franchises and they may be looking to rebuild around these key players.

It isn’t news that the Celtics are looking to make a big trade this summer. It is, however, revealing that the third pick appears to be what they want to trade most. The problem may be that if the Celtics don’t have the necessary faith in the third pick, then it may be impossible to find a trade partner that does value it enough.

The fact of the matter is that the Celtics have more than enough assets to make this kind of trade happen but that has been the case since the Celtics traded away Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers. Ainge needs to get the right return if he is going to be sending away key pieces of the team.

Next: NBA Draft: Top 5 Three Point Shooters

The bigger problem may be that the Celtics are going to reach a point where they have too many young prospects and it will hurt their growth. The Celtics are in a great position to get better value of their assets out of a trade, and they can feel a lot more comfortable knowing that they have two other first round draft picks if they are forced to part ways with number three.