Why the Boston Celtics Shouldn’t Trade the Number One Pick
By Donnie Menke
Boston won the lottery Tuesday night, but questions still remain about what to do with the pick
There are a lot of ideas floating around about what the Celtics should do with the number one pick. Some say keep it and use it on Markelle Fultz. Some say keep and use it on Lonzo Ball or Josh Jackson or another top prospect.
However, one of most popular idea seems to be to trade the pick for a superstar. Jimmy Butler and Paul George, the two most popular names associated with the Celtics, would cost a high price.
This would not be a good idea for Boston. Not only would Boston have to trade the pick, they would also have to give up multiple rotational pieces and starters.
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Even if Boston were able to acquire Butler or George, they would not be able to compete with Cleveland, let alone Golden State or San Antonio.
On top of not being able to compete for titles now, Boston would throw away their chance to build for the future, when Golden State and Cleveland no longer have a strangle hold on the NBA.
A core of Jaylen Brown, Fultz, Marcus Smart, and whomever the Celtics draft next year would be able to compete well after LeBron James retires and the Warriors start to falter.
There is risk that one of the picks doesn’t pan out or another team builds a better core than Boston. However, taking this risk is better than going all-in right now. If Boston trades for a Butler or George type, they would have to give up too much to be able to compete for a title.
On top of that, the upside of the top prospects in this draft is tantalizing.
Many of the top ten prospects have all-star, if not superstar, potential. Why trade for a top player and give up a large number of assets, when one could just be drafted?
Fultz has incredible upside, and possibly has the highest in this draft. Fultz also has a fairly high floor, making him less of a risk than most top prospects.
Jackson has great two way potential and could be a top-tier defender. Ball could be the next Jason Kidd. The prospects ranked after them are amazing as well.
This is one reason Boston should not trade the top pick. If the pick is traded, there is virtually no outcome that brings home a championship. Danny Ainge is one of the best GMs in the NBA at making trades. However, even Ainge would have trouble making a deal for a superstar while also keeping the long term assets in tact.
Next: Boston Celtics Make Their Own Luck
Trading the pick is not a good idea. The potential of the top prospects is incredible and could bring Boston a title as a centerpiece. Trading the pick would compromise the future while not helping enough now. Keeping the pick is the best option, both for now and the future.