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Boston Celtics: Do not expect any big moves in draft

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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There is a lot of talk, but it would be a surprise for the Boston Celtics to make a big move in the draft

There has been a lot of talk about the Boston Celtics potentially making another big move in this year’s draft. There is all kinds of talk about Kawhi Leonard, and the Celtics have been connected to multiple top draft picks.

The Celtics have a history of making big moves, and no one would put it past Danny Ainge to move high up into the lottery. Even so, the current state of the franchise makes it difficult to reconcile any of these moves.

Unless the Celtics were able to get something done strictly with their future draft picks, there is too much risk in trading one of their significant pieces, even if they believe it will get them their top prospect.

The Celtics are rumored to have been interested in Mo Bamba and Jaren Jackson Jr. Both of them are elite prospects that could be a huge part of the future of this team. If, however, the cost is Jaylen Brown, the Celtics will be losing value.

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The young talent on the Celtics has grown in a way that most draft prospects cannot even dream of. If the Celtics believe that one of these top lottery players will become a more complete and talented player than Brown is by age 21, then they will be setting themselves up for disappointment.

Even with all these rumors swirling, it still feels like a lot of noise. Ainge has always been willing to trade, but he has never been willing to sacrifice value. When you look at what it takes to trade up to the point where they could get one of those two prospects, it will be almost impossible for the Celtics to get the most value out of the trade.

Ainge has always liked to keep the future in mind, and trading up has the chance to improve their future. That being said, the Celtics have never been able to contend they way they can right now, and it is time to start thinking about the now as much as the future.

Fans are always going to get excited about the big trades, bringing in significant pieces. Right now, however, this core is what everyone should be getting excited about. The Celtics have put too much into this rebuild to threaten any of it, and trading up high in the draft will always bring that additional risk.

Next: Pros and Cons of trading for Kawhi Leonard

If Ainge finds his dream deal, then he will always be the first one to pounce on it. With what the Celtics have to offer, and what people are saying about the top talent in this draft, it would be a shocker to see the Celtics make any kind of significant move.