Boston Celtics: 2 trades to get Cs a higher lottery pick

A simpler San Antonio swap

In recent days, we’ve seen the Boston Celtics intertwined with another trade idea with the San Antonio Spurs that saw the likes of Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter shipped off in exchange for Dejounte Murray, LaMarcus Aldridge, and their number 11 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Here, we propose a much simpler exchange for the only real valuable asset for the team from that proposal in their draft selection.

Why the Boston Celtics do it

There are reasons to believe that the Celtics might want to strongly consider moving up in the 2020 NBA Draft. Be it Danny Ainge’s lackadaisical track record with later draft picks — such as the ones he currently holds the rights to — or to increase their chances of nabbing a prospect that they likely would miss out on should they stay at pick 14 — Onyeka Okongwu, Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey, etc. — receiving a higher selection in this relatively shallow talent pool could wind up landing the team a real difference-maker in the long run.

Why the San Antonio Spurs do it

Caught between a rebuild and still competing for a spot in the postseason, the San Antonio Spurs could use for some young, cost-efficient ballers to fill out the roster alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, should he re-sign this offseason.

Going back three spots doesn’t hurt the Spurs too much, especially when it means acquiring the draft rights to another first-round pick and last year’s lottery-pick for the Cs in Romeo Langford who, despite an injury-riddled season, showed promise as a quality role player, specifically on the defensive side of the ball.