Boston Celtics: 2 trades to get Cs a top-3 draft pick

Boston Celtics trade package for No. 1 pick) Minnesota gets Gordon Hayward

This deal is all contingent on if Gordon Hayward opts in to the final year of his deal or not, which is a decision that can be made anytime between right now and Thursday at 3 PM (ET). If he does, then it could be one both sides should strongly consider.

With the Timberwolves’ decision to trade for D’Angelo Russell at last year’s deadline, it’s evident that they are a franchise wanting to compete in the postseason NOW. By pairing the All-Star point guard with Minnesota’s All-Star center, Karl-Anthony Towns, the franchise has a nice set up with a young one-two punch entering their primes heading into the 2020-21 season.

That said, outside of these two players the team lacks substantial talent. And sure, while one could argue having the number one overall pick could, in theory, bring on that much-needed third-piece, with the fact that this year’s draft is relatively weak, it might take the player they choose a while to get adjusted to the flow of the NBA which, by the time that happens, Towns could decide he wants out, as it’s reported his patience is already running out with the Wolves.

Because of this, flipping the pick, along with the contract of James Johnson and roster fillers, for Hayward AND the 14th and 26th pick — along with other roster fillers, of course — could provide Minnesota with both a seasoned veteran who could serve as the team’s third option in between Russell and Towns as well as offer them draft pieces to help them build for the future as well.

This past season, the former All-Star had a fantastic year for the Boston Celtics. Averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 50 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from downtown Hayward proved to be quite a productive piece for this Cs team that came within just two games of reaching this year’s NBA Finals.

His ability to score off-ball as well as when creating his own shot and to facilitate could be seen as a great asset to acquire for the Timberwolves.

On the flip side, the Celtics get the number one overall pick where they could bring on anyone from James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball (if they so choose) or Anthony Edwards — to just name a few players — as well as the remaining year of the defensive-oriented/ floor spacing veteran big in Johnson, who is coming off a 2019-20 campaign where he posted 8.4 points, one block, and just shy of a steal per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor, 36 percent shooting from deep and boasted a defensive box plus-minus of 1.1 in the process.

While we believe the team should just stand pat with their 3 first-rounders — or deal them for an already established player –, if the Boston Celtics truly wish to nab a top-3 pick, this could be a way for them to get a deal done.