Boston Celtics: Too early to buy into Mo Bamba rumors
It is too early to be invested in the Mo Bamba rumors
The Boston Celtics‘ season has just ended, and the draft rumors are already emerging. With Danny Ainge, you have to expect this every season, and the reality is that the Celtics still have plenty of assets they can trade around with. Sean Deveney of Sporting News has reported that the Celtics have expressed in trading up for Mo Bamba.
Bamba is considered one of the truly elite prospects this season, so that means going after one of the highest picks in the draft. Deveney mentions Dallas and Memphis, and you know it is going to take a tremendous offer to get that high of a pick in this draft.
Before we even start thinking about what kind of pieces the Celtics might be willing to give up to move up, lets remember how early this is. Trade rumors will be going on from now until the draft starts, and who knows where we will end up when it actually matters.
There is no reason to doubt the Celtics are showing interest in Bamba. If we are being realistic, every single team should be showing interest in him, because he looks like he can be one of the next special athletes in the NBA, and we know how important versatility is becoming.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?
One thing we must first keep in mind is how stingy Ainge is. Even if this can become a real trade possibility, it will take time before we get there. If Ainge is actually serious in trading some of his most important assets, which could go as far as Jaylen Brown and Sacramento’s pick, he is going to shop around as much as possible.
They will wait as long as they have to in order to make sure they are getting the absolute best value out of it. On top of that, it still feels unlikely there is anything that will get the Celtics to give up someone like Brown after these last playoffs.
Getting Bamba means giving up a real piece of this core, and there is not much sense in doing that right now. The Celtics know they have the young talent that is ready to compete now, with their best players about to return.
The Celtics have rebuild in such a phenomenal way, that it is difficult to reconcile making any trade that threatens what they already have. There is too much risk in taking away part of what they know they have now, especially with so much uncertainty in drafting players. Ainge has been perfect with Brown and Tatum, but he is not going to hit on every single pick every single time.
If Ainge can figure something out with the Sacramento pick, Terry Rozier would be the furthest they could go. If the Celtics decide to pay Marcus Smart, that should make Rozier available, and they might want to get something for him before having to pay him too much money.
Next: Comparing Brown and Tatum's value
Keep in mind, however, how stingy Ainge has been with Rozier in the past, and it would have to take a tremendous opportunity for Ainge to actually go through with the kind of trade that would allow them to pick Bamba.