76ers Most Likely Trade Partner for Boston Celtics
The trade rumours have long been surrounding the Boston Celtics, and now that the NBA has crowned the Cleveland Cavaliers champions, the media is shifting its focus almost entirely on the draft. There will be more speculation and, of course, the closer the draft is the more Ainge may feel pressed to pull the trigger. Ainge has always been known as a stingy trader but he is known as a willing trader and things continue to point in the direction of the Philadelphia 76ers being the most likely trade partner.
According to CSNNE, the 76ers are seriously interested in Kris Dunn and there is no doubt that he will still be available to them at number three. With the current status of the 76ers, any deal with the Celtics will have to include the third overall pick, the question becomes how much more are they looking for.
While Celtics fans may prefer for them to go after a more bonafied NBA superstar like Jimmy Butler, but the 76ers have a remarkable collection of talented young bigs and that is exactly what the Celtics need. CSNNE also mentions how both Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are in play in these trades and either one of them should be the most dominant interior force on the Celtics, by far.
Noel and Okafor do, however, present an interesting contrast. Okafor will give the Celtics an interior force on the offensive end, while risking being a huge liability on the defensive end. Noel, on the other hand, has already proven that he has truly elite shot blocking potential, while lacking the versatility that the Celtics may want on the offensive end.
With all the picks and young prospects these two teams have, there’s no telling how many different trade possibilities there could be. Ideally, trading with the 76ers could mean that the Celtics won’t have to give up much more than just the 3rd overall pick, and certainly not one of their more important young players.
Getting someone like Butler is expected to require losing multiple key pieces to the team, in addition to the third overall pick. With Ainge’s stinginess, it may be impossible to work out that kind of deal.
If the 76ers are willing to part with one of their big men for only draft picks (yes, plural, the Celtics should have no problem parting ways with some of their other 7 draft picks if that’s necessary) and no current players that are a big part of their future plans, then a trade could be looming.
The Celtics have a lot of options at number 3 but if they want to address their size then there is no one that can score like Okafor in the paint and there is no one who can come in and block shots like Noel as a rookie. Getting one of those guys will give the Celtics a player who they know will be a main contributor right now, while still having an opportunity to develop along with the rest of one of the youngest teams in the league.
Both these players have had their issues but they will be entering a much more stable situation. Brad Stevens will allow them to develop and make sure that he finds the best ways to use them effectively on the court.
Next: Celtics Should Retain Tyler Zeller
The 76ers have always been the most speculated team when it comes to a trade with the Celtics on draft day and chances are these rumours will continue to pick up steam over the next few days.This may be the most important draft pick in the Danny Ainge era, and you can be sure that he will do everything to make sure he explores all the best potential options.