‘Unclear’ if Boston Celtics will keep their NBA Draft pick: Report
By Sam LaFrance
The future of the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA Draft pick is “unclear,” as the June 22 date looms large. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Celtics are trying to “bolster the roster,” perhaps using the pick as a trade chip.
“It’s unclear if Boston will keep this pick, though,” O’Connor wrote. “Sources say the Celtics are exploring ways to bolster the roster, whether it’s a sign-and-trade involving Grant Williams during free agency or something consolidating their plethora of guards.”
Boston’s hopes to improve the team are encouraging. Especially after their season came to a disappointing close in the Eastern Conference Finals. A team whose depth was supposed to be the selling point was “out-depthed” by the Miami Heat.
Many fans were left feeling as if major change is needed for the Celtics this summer. Whether they believe that means the team tries to trade Jaylen Brown, who is due a supermax contract extension, or possibly other rotation players, the feeling seemed to be that something had to give.
Boston Celtics have been ‘active’ in ‘trade talks’: Report
Well, it sounds like Brad Stevens agrees.
On Wednesday morning, MassLive’s Brian Robb released a similar report to that of O’Connor. Robb revealed that he’d heard that Boston has been “active” when pursuing trades in the weeks leading up to the NBA Draft.
“A league source tells MassLive that the Celtics have been one of the more active teams in the league in trade talks ahead of Thursday’s draft,” Robb wrote. “Boston only holds the No. 35 overall pick but the team is looking at making potential tweaks to the supporting cast around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics are particularly loaded in the backcourt with Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Payton Pritchard all under contract for next season and the team is investigating moving a guard to improve other areas of the roster per a league source.”
Boston’s top-three guards, Smart, White, and Brogdon could all garner some sort of intriguing return in a potential trade. The idea would likely be to swap a surplus (a guard in this situation) for a more depleted need (maybe a bench wing?).
As for Pritchard, he’s made it known that he’d like to be traded this summer. The 25-year-old didn’t see much playing time for the Cs this season and has just one year left on his rookie contract. From his perspective, getting on the court is a must. It’s the only way for him to prove his worth ahead of a chance to get paid next summer.