The Celtics have the option to trade their #1 pick on draft night, but their best move might not involve that pick.
The Celtics are in an interesting spot. They hold the top pick in the 2017 NBA draft, and they are competing with the Cavaliers in the eastern conference finals.
With the top player in the draft being Markelle Fultz, the pressure to trade the pick isn’t as intense as last season. Fultz is a franchise player who can be a perennial all star for years to come. Next to Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics back court would be one of the best in the NBA.
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For those reasons, I think keeping the pick is the right move for Boston. LeBron James is a serious problem that other teams(Toronto) have tried to go all out and defeat, but came up short and now their future is in trouble. There is still a way that the Celtics could trade for a superstar caliber player and still end up with Fultz. I’m not sure if Indiana goes for it, but man would this be a good deal.
Pacers Receive: Jae Crowder, Terry Rozier, 2018 BKN pick
Celtics Receive: Paul George
Here the Celtics get the superstar that fits in perfectly to what they like to do on both ends, and keep Fultz and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics would be able to compete for a championship, all while having a beautiful future lined up.
I think that the Pacers go for this deal for a few reasons. One would be that there’s a new GM with an idea of building for the future and not wasting any time. Crowder would be a great player to instill an identity to the team, as Rozier is an up and coming point guard that has shown his ability to play big time playoff minutes. Throwing in the 2018 Nets pick gives Indiana a chance at the top player next year, which would most likely be Michael Porter Jr.
The Pacers will have reason to think about moving George. His contract is up in the summer of 2019, and he will most likely leave for nothing. The offer above would most likely be the best offer they’d receive unless some team is stupid and offers their entire roster(Cough-cough Lakers).
So how would that team look? Oh it’s something alright.
Starters:
PG-Thomas, SG-Bradley, SF-George, PF-Horford, C-Zizic
That’s a starting five that can challenge the Cavs. George has always given James issues with his all around play, and stopping Thomas would be much more difficult with another all star on the floor. Zizic would provide physicality and rebounding, as Horford could play his natural position and slice up defenses with his passing.
Bench
PG-Smart, SG-Fultz, SF-Brown, PF-Yabusele, C-Olynyk
What a second unit this would be. You have the Celtics’ present in the starting five, and Boston’s future coming off the bench to put games out of reach. Fultz could alongside Smart because both players can play on or off the ball. There would be so much defensive versatility that the Celtics cold switch anything with their bench unit. That’s something special.
We’ll see if this is a deal that comes to fruition. I’m sure Danny Ainge will try to have is cake and eat it to, but you never know. If it does happen, I see this team winning 60 games and having an eight year window for championships at the least.