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5 reasons the Boston Celtics should keep the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) crosses the logo during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) crosses the logo during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) crosses the logo during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boston Celtics have a decision to make with their No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but here’s why they should keep it and draft Markelle Fultz.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are true Boston Celtics legends, not only because they brought the franchise its NBA-best 17th championship, but also because their trade to the Brooklyn Nets is still feeding them a treasure trove of draft assets.

General manager Danny Ainge has been unable to turn all those stockpiled picks into a star player on the trade market, but the truth is, he might not have to. With the No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, nothing is standing in the Celtics’ way of snagging Washington’s Markelle Fultz, the consensus top prospect in the NBA’s most loaded draft class since 2003.

The only problem is, the Celtics just finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference, winning 53 games before suffering a gentleman’s sweep in the conference finals at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With Isaiah Thomas having a fringe MVP-caliber season and the 31-year-old Al Horford being signed to a four-year, $113 million deal last summer, Boston’s time for contention is now. A 19- or 20-year-old rookie won’t help close the gap on LeBron James, but trading the pick for a legitimate star might.

Related Story: 2017 NBA Draft - 5 teams that should trade their picks

That being said, after years of staying patient, the Boston Celtics shouldn’t overthink this. Here are five reasons they should keep the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

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