Mark Murphy: The Celtics have Fultz, Jackson, Tatum and Ball rated as top four in this draft. If Lakers take Jackson at No. 2, Tatum looms large.
Everyone wins. Sixers might be the new version of the old Thunder with all of these potential superstars anchoring their core. Meanwhile, the C's probably get the guy they wanted, anyway, and arm themselves with yet another draft pick to barter with. That having been said, I don't like the idea of drafting for need -- which is what the C's will be doing if they decide to take and keep Jackson.
Boston isn't getting the 76ers pick, though. According to Woj's clarification, if the 2018 Lakers pick doesn't convey, Boston gets the Kings' 2019 pick. Unlike the 6ers, the Kings don't look like a team on the rise (anymore than any terrible team picking high in the draft). There's definitely risk, but Ainge is basically betting on his/his scouts' appraisal that Fultz isn't head-and-shoulders above the next three in the draft. If he's right, he's basically getting a free, likely premium, pick to keep adding talent as he continues building his team into the future.
Good deal for both teams. Boston finally making moves. This is what I believe Boston is thinking. The #1 pick is too valuable for a straight up deal for Butler or George, so they traded back to break up the asset. Celtics can now trade the 3rd pick for Butler/George, and still have the Lakers/Kings pick, along with Nets picks to trade for other talent. Celtics are going to build a super team, they have all the assets for it, they are in perfect position. They could easily trade for Butler and George, while signing Griffin. Not saying that's exactly what they will do (or anything near it) but they are easily capable of pulling something like that off.
Smart move by Ainge to diversify his portfolio. His endgame is the George/Butler & Griffin/Hayward bonanza. This allows him to retain future value with the additional pick in 2018 or 2019 and still trade a top 3 pick to the Bulls or Pacers. Secondly, Sixers have amassed a Thunder-like warchest of top 5 picks. Time for the process to produce. Fultz and Simmons as rookies in the same season is like the basketball gods shining a double rainbow upon Philly. Please whatever you do, don't screw this up! Lastly and most sadly, cheers to the fallen SAM HINKIE for making all of this possible. May the process be with you!
So Celtics are hoping this turns into two top five picks for the top pick. As for the crowded guard thing, they used the #3 pick on Jaylen Brown last year so trading down for Josh Jackson is another crowded situation at SF unless they think Jackson and Brown will play together in some small ball lineup.
Josh Jackson is a full-on gangster-thug criminal and I bet Boston either picks Tatum at #3 or trades down again if they think they can get Tatum at #5-#6. Ainge is a Mormon and he is big on character.
HAHAHA!! Pretty good! Way to go Colangelo! I'm happy to see the smugness of Boston fans wiped off their faces.. "Our pick is worth 3 other unprotected picks" Now I hope that Lakers pick Josh Jackson.
If it only took a top 5 pick to trade for Butler then he would already be gone by now to the Suns or Lakers. And if they try to trade just the 3rd pick for George the Lakers can beat them by offering the no2 pick. (if they can't wait). Butler imo isn't going anywhere for the time being. After this years' playoffs Chicago believes that their core can work from what they have been saying.
Excellent trade for the Sixers. This all goes back to Hinkie, still can't believe they fired him. Fultz, Simmons and Embiid together will be fun to watch.
