New Pick Protection Rule Could Change Boston’s Trade Negotiations
With the NBA now allowing teams to place protections on acquired draft picks, it could help Danny Ainge trade away the potential top pick Boston holds.
Zach Lowe explained in an ESPN piece Monday that the Boston Celtics can now place a protection on the Brooklyn picks they own. This bit of news is a significant development for the Celtics if they were considering the possibility of trading the potential #1 overall pick.
Boston has been linked to Jimmy Butler for what feels like ages now. One of the main assets reported in a possible Butler package has been the 2017 Nets pick. Danny Ainge has not given the pick up easily, which is most likely why we haven’t seen a deal just yet.
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The recent rule change allowing teams to place protections on acquired draft picks like the two Brooklyn picks Boston still owns could change things in a positive way for the Celtics. Giving up an unprotected pick is risky, but being able to protect it even a little could prompt Ainge to pull the trigger on a trade.
The reason the pick is so valuable is the incoming crop of prospects. I think that this class is the strongest we’ve seen since 2003, and a likely #1 pick is incredibly luxurious to have if you’re the Celtics.
A likely trade proposal with the new trade rules could look something like this.
Bulls Receive:
Avery Bradley, Jaylen Brown, 2017 BKN pick: Top 1 protected
Celtics receive:
Jimmy Butler, Cristiano Felicio
In this case, Boston would get the superstar player that can put them into legitimate title contention, and they still have a chance to secure the top pick in the draft. Chicago gets a steady veteran who always improves in Bradley, and a future all star player in Brown. Also, they have a 75% chance at keeping the Nets’ pick.
If the ping pong balls bounced the right way for the Celtics come lottery time, Boston would find themselves in an enviable position. This deal is a win-win for both teams, but the true winner would be decided on lottery night. As if that night didn’t have enough drama.
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What we can be certain about is that Danny Ainge is going to explore every possible direction there is until the trade deadline passes. This new rule only helps the Celtics in their quest to build the best possible team to not compete this year, but to win multiple championships down the road. Stay tuned everyone, this Thursday could get interesting.