Boston Celtics: 3 draft night mistakes Cs are currently feeling

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 25: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates in the game against the Toronto Raptors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 25, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 25: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates in the game against the Toronto Raptors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 25, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
3 of 3
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics draft day regret No. 3) Not looking to deal for an established player

Coming into draft night, the hot story was that the Boston Celtics were looking to make moves.

Though the majority of the buzz was that they were looking to move up in the draft, we here at the site were huge advocates for the franchise to move some of their capital to acquire an already established player and, on numerous occasions, discussed players they could target.

Unfortunately, as has been the case for over the last several seasons in which the Celtics held multiple first-round picks, the team ultimately ended up keeping them (for the most part, at least).

Now, with a record of 12-11 and staring at an uphill battle to catch up with their title-contending competitors out in the Eastern Conference, they are stuck trying to figure out ways in which they can make improvements to their roster to better their chances at competing come the postseason.

One of the hottest reports is that Boston is “up to something”, with a recent quote from Ainge insisting that the team is looking to add “shooters with size” prior to the March 25th NBA trade deadline.

Players such as Myles Turner and Lauri Markkanen — two players who fit this desired mold — were both reportedly being shopped at around the time of the draft, and it appeared the Celtics made no serious inquiries on either of them at that point in time.

At the very least, they should have been more active in trade talks than they inevitably were for, maybe had they landed an already established player by dealing one or two of their picks, they could have better addressed an area of need on the roster (*cough, center, *cough) and not be in the just over .500 situation that they currently find themselves in.