Boston Celtics Could Bridge From Playoff Team To Contenders During Draft Week
The Boston Celtics are in a power position to shape their franchise into NBA Finals contenders on a yearly basis, thanks to a slew of draft picks and young talent.
The Boston Celtics are a big wild card in the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft with eight draft picks, including three first-round selections. That also includes two of the first five picks in the second round. With a slew of picks, the Celtics are bound to have a big week.
How will the Celtics use those picks? They could draft forward Dragan Bender or one of the talented guards in Buddy Hield or Jamal Murray, or they could deal several picks for a star player.
Boston is interested in acquiring Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love as demonstrated by general manager Danny Ainge‘s meeting with Love’s agent Jeff Schwartz, according to RealGM.
Of course, the Celtics were one of many teams that courted Love when he became a free agent following the 2014-15 NBA season. The social media buzz of Love spending time in Boston was evident that he very well could have become a Celtic.
Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Boston Celtics
The feelings for one another could be mutual, as Love isn’t a great fit on the Cavs’ team and could use a change of scenery. The Celtics certainly have the assets to strike a deal with Cleveland to acquire Love.
And there it is, @MarcAtiyeh's Harvard graduation gift, a picture with the incredible @kevinlove! pic.twitter.com/k9ac7Q1PVD
— Eléonore Abou Ez (@Eleoabouez) May 31, 2014
The best asset for Cleveland would be Jae Crowder. He has the ability to play small forward or a small-ball power forward.
He is a 3-and-D player that could be used similarly to how the Cavs are using Love. Centering a package around Crowder could also involve picks, likely the 31st and 35th overall picks.
Related Story: Boston Celtics: Kevin Love Trade Becoming Realistic
With Cleveland having the most expensive roster, adding non-guaranteed contracts is the safest bet for improving the team for a team that lacks spending money. That may not be enough, however to entice the Cavs into a trade.
The Celtics could spice the deal up by including the 16th or 23rd overall picks, or even add young players like guards Terry Rozier or R.J. Hunter.
Adding Love would be beneficial for himself, as he could return to the three-time All-Star form he was in with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Love may not be the go-to player with the Celtics, he could be better utilized in the post to compliment his perimeter game, as opposed to hanging out on the perimeter.
| Season | Age | Tm | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 ★ | 22 | MIN | 73 | 35.8 | .470 | .417 | .513 | .850 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 15.2 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 20.2 |
| 2011-12 ★ | 23 | MIN | 55 | 39.0 | .448 | .372 | .497 | .824 | 4.1 | 9.2 | 13.3 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 26.0 |
| 2013-14 ★ | 25 | MIN | 77 | 36.3 | .457 | .376 | .524 | .821 | 2.9 | 9.6 | 12.5 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 26.1 |
| 2014-15 | 26 | CLE | 75 | 33.8 | .434 | .367 | .509 | .804 | 1.9 | 7.9 | 9.7 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 16.4 |
| 2015-16 | 27 | CLE | 77 | 31.5 | .419 | .360 | .499 | .822 | 1.9 | 8.0 | 9.9 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 16.0 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/19/2016.
The Celtics could also look to add another star player to their roster. The uncertainty around the Chicago Bulls plans could lead to a deal for Jimmy Butler. Boston attempted to trade for Butler at this year’s trade deadline, according to the Boston Herald‘s Steve Bulpett.
With a little more certainty of the status of draft picks, now is a better time than ever for the Celtics to pull the trigger.
Boston could look to package together the No. 3 pick, the No. 16 pick, Avery Bradley and either Rozier or Hunter. This would be an enticing package for the Bulls, and would possibly be better than a Wolves package of the No. 5 pick, Zach LaVine and Gorgui Dieng.
Related Story: Is Jimmy Butler The Glass Slipper The Timberwolves Need?
Chicago could end up with three picks inside the top 16 of this year’s draft if they were able to get a package including the top two Celtics’ draft choices. The Bulls would have the ability to build a young core through the draft, similar to how the Golden State Warriors built their roster.
The Celtics roster would look very different if they added Butler and Love, but it would build a big three in Boston with point guard Isaiah Thomas.
There would also be a good balance between offense and defense with the new additions to the Celtics, and it wouldn’t require an adjustment period with young rookie getting a reasonable amount of playing time.
Boston would also have some spending money in free agency to add to their back court or on the wing. They could look to re-sign the versatile Evan Turner and offer him big minutes.
They could also buy low on point guard Brandon Jennings to back Thomas up and play alongside Marcus Smart.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
If the Celtics are able to pull off both of these moves, they could have a starting lineup of Thomas, Smart, Butler, Love and Jared Sullinger before diving into free agency. They’d also be able to bring Kelly Olynyk off the bench at either the power forward or center positions.
Adding a shooting guard or small forward would become a priority in free agency to allow Smart to be a spark plug off the bench. They could also add a combo guard that is a playmaker or defender as a backup to compliment Smart’s scoring abilities.
Doing so would surely give the Celtics quality depth to go eight deep into their bench.
Depending on which picks the Celtics would give up in either deal, they may also hold on to a first round pick or a couple of seconds to possibly find a gem in the draft.
Adding a more experienced player would give the C’s a player that can contribute immediately as opposed to a player with more potential and needing more development.
Related Story: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Built On Unpredictability
Having a draft with so much uncertainty regarding talent may help the Celtics be aggressive in pursuit of a star. Owning the third overall pick also allows them to have leverage on teams looking to trade up, thus leading to the Celtics potentially landing a star.
Boston could add two stars to their talented roster. If they can add Butler and Love, they’d have a core of players that would be contending in the Eastern Conference for years to come.