How the Boston Celtics benefitted from the Draft Lottery
The Boston Celtics were winners in many ways last night. While they did land the #14 pick of the draft via the Sacramento Kings, it was how other teams shook out that benefitted them big time.
The Boston Celtics are no longer benefitting from the follies of Billy King and the 2013 Nets trading away several unprotected first rounders while also swapping the picks with Boston the years the Stepien Rule prevented them from trading picks in consecutive years.
The city of New York’s misfortune is still helping out Boston though. This time it was the Knicks whose suffering is great news for the Celtics.
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?
Last night the Knicks’ tanking the 2018-19 season resulted in them getting only the third pick after a disastrous season that saw them win just 17 games. What that means is obvious: no Zion Williamson.
Williamson is a powerhouse of a man that threw up some gaudy college numbers (22 points, eight rebounds) on Duke. While the Knicks will likely land his teammate RJ Barrett (who put up almost identical numbers with more assists), Barrett doesn’t inspire fear like a rim-bound Williamson does.
Williamson has a stronger build than most pros. On the Celtics, only Semi Ojeleye comes close to his size. Williamson is a truly freakish athlete.
He is an athlete the Celtics don’t have to play four times a year now. The New Orleans Pelicans now own the top pick and will likely start their rebuild with a beast of a human being.
Speaking of the Pelicans, how does this affect the Anthony Davis saga? Well, for one, the Knicks no longer have the top trade asset to land him. In fact, no other team has what would have been Pelicans GM David Griffin’s top target.
The most realistic asset that can be traded for Davis is the #3 pick the Knicks now own. Is that, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox getting a deal done? That’s doubtful.
Next. Kyrie’s decision and his legacy. dark
Boston still has the best package for Davis. The Los Angeles Lakers might have skyrocketed to #4 in the Draft Lottery, but the Lakers’ young core ended the season with injuries and question marks. Jarrett Culver is not moving the needle on a deal for one of the league’s best players.
Even when the King trade stops giving, the Celtics still have lottery luck. New York looks less attractive for free agents and they don’t have the ammunition for a Davis deal. Even the Lakers, who would have had a great package if they had landed at #3, are not any more threatening.
Rest easy, Celtics fans. You won another lottery.