Boston Celtics: 3 reasons to consider trading up to draft Onyeka Okongwu

The Boston Celtics must consider a move into the top 10 selections of the NBA Draft to have a chance at drafting Onyeka Okongwu.

The Houdini has long thought that a move up in the 2020 NBA Draft is exactly what the Boston Celtics need. Here’s why Onyeka Okongwu is a worthy inspiration for such a transaction:

1. Positional fit is more important than adding depth

The Boston Celtics don’t profile as the typical team that needs several incoming first-round draft picks. That situation is often saved for teams that just suffered through a losing season with few long-term keepers on the roster…not one that came within two games of the NBA Finals.

Boston has three selections, though, and there truly isn’t capacity for the team to add three young talents on rookie deals to this roster. Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, and Carsen Edwards all own guaranteed pacts while Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters will be in the mix for multi-year extensions themselves.

Taking on three more rookies–particularly after Danny Ainge arguably whiffed on the majority of his selections last year–could end up creating a roster too young to handle the challenges that are associated with wearing green and white.

Then again, a veteran-laden roster has seen serious chemistry issues the past few seasons when the going got rough. Brad Stevens has run a tight ship and has this team on the cusp of contending, but rookies will not help get the team over the hump. However, one rookie with the exact skill set the roster needs could make a tangible difference.