Celtics might benefit most from what didn't happen at this year's NBA Draft

Hindsight will render the ultimate verdict, but the Boston Celtics had to walk out of Day 1 of this year's NBA Draft feeling like a winner.

Jaylen Brown is still on the team. It's a subject Brad Stevens addressed afterwards. Beyond that, if this is the end of an era in Boston, their top potential trade options are still available. As it pertains to what did and did not happen on Tuesday, most notably, the New Orleans Pelicans did not move Trey Murphy III for a top-10 pick.

We haven't even gotten to who the Celtics selected yet. Picking near the end of the first round, they swung for the fences. Their bet on Chris Cenac Jr. is a high-upside wager on his potential, motor, and their elite player development program. It was a decision compelled by what they saw from him under hard-nosed head coach Kelvin Sampson.

There was also a report shortly before the draft got underway that benefits Boston.

How draft day preserved Pistons as a prime Celtics trade partner

The franchise residing in the Motor City is on the hunt for more shooting. They would reportedly love to acquire Tyler Herro. The former All-Star is on his way to the Milwaukee Bucks. That's thanks to his former team, the Miami Heat, pulling off a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

That deal could expand to include more teams before it gets finalized. Detroit is hoping to get involved. However, Jake Fischer from The Stein Line conveyed that Herro's hometown club might move forward with him in the fold.

"The Bucks also value Tyler Herro, sources say, and don't necessarily plan to move him," shared Fischer.

The Pistons were unlikely to leave the draft having secured a spot in the trade that will send Antetokounmpo to South Beach. However, they also didn't satisfy their search for more floor spacers around Cade Cunningham. They acquired the 17th overall pick, Ebuka Okorie. He's a talented scoring guard, but he won't slow their pursuit of more shooting.

Detroit also didn't find a deal that would've sent Isaiah Stewart elsewhere. That's a worthwhile target for the Celtics. The 25-year-old center averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, including 1.7 on offense, and 1.6 shots in just under 23 minutes per game last season.

The Pistons' sixth man is coming off a campaign in which he had a strong showing at the defensive end. He brings physicality, energy, and an approach that Boston would quickly fall in love with.

Celtics could look to target Isaiah Stewart

Stewart's potential from beyond the arc is another intriguing part of this possible pursuit. Two years ago, he knocked down 38.3 percent of the 3.3 threes he hoisted.

The playoffs didn't go well for him, and he got surpassed by Paul Reed. The latter is less expensive, further signaling that Detroit will move on from the former this offseason.

The six-foot-eight, bruising big man is on the books for $15 million for the 2026-27 campaign. He has a player option worth the same amount for the following year. A swap of Stewart for Sam Hauser makes sense for both sides. It would allow the Celtics to find a partner with Neemias Queta to form the potent 1-2 punch they need at center. The fact that this scenario is still in play was one of the developments that made Boston a winner on day 1 of the draft.

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