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Boston Celtics: Do not expect an impact player from the draft

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shares a moment with Danny Ainge prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 16, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shares a moment with Danny Ainge prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 16, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Do not expect the Boston Celtics to get another rookie that can have an impact next season

The Boston Celtics have been in a position to get a top prospect for multiple years now. The rebuild allowed them to compete while getting all the young talent, and that talent worked out in a special way during this last playoff run.

During that playoff run, and in all the years that built up to it, the Celtics have been getting impact rookies. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis all had an impact in their rookie season, but the setting is changing quite a bit for Boston.

They are no longer rebuilding, and there are multiple reasons why it would be unrealistic to expect even a top pick to have an impact this season. If they do not move up in the draft, then there is a chance they will not have a single rookie on their every day roster.

The Celtics have gotten more out of their young talent than any other team in the NBA, but that is largely because of the opportunities given to them with Brad Stevens. With the influx of talent, and young players that are not going anywhere, the Celtics really do not have room to accommodate a rookie.

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The Celtics need to be a polished team next season, and it would take some out of this world rookie sensation to crack this rotation. Keep in mind, after the five starters, the first three off the bench could be Terry Rozier, Smart and Theis.

With an eight man rotation that has that kind of depth, any rookies the Celtics bring in should expect to spend most of their time with the Maine Red Claws. If they are able to pull out some ready made front court player who can have an impact, then maybe. But even then, ninth man in the rotation is not going to get many minutes, and it would be foolish to think the Celtics will bring in a rookie that is stronger than any of those three, even if they try and trade up.

The Celtics are not going to want to take the time to let another rookie come in and fight trough young struggles. The Celtics already know they might still have to deal with Brown and Tatum having some growing pains in their second and third year, but they are at another level.

The Celtics cannot hope to get any rookie like Brown or Tatum, and that would be even if they traded up into the top five. The Celtics know how valuable young talent can be, but this team is too polished and too ready.

The Celtics are no longer at a point where they have to rebuild through the draft. They have the young talent and the established talent, but they still have picks to make. In fact, the Celtics could still have extra lottery picks in the future.

There is no doubt that Ainge will want to use the draft to make sure the team can continue to be great once some of the older players like Al Horford are no longer able to have their best impact.

Next: Celtics have assets to move up in the draft

For now, the draft is strictly for the far future. The Celtics know they have a roster and a core that is ready to compete next season, and there is not a player in this draft you could expect to play a prominent role on the Celtics next year.

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