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2017 NBA Draft: 5 teams that should consider trading first round picks

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 30, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Allen Crabbe (23) react after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Allen Crabbe (23) react after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Draft
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 /

2. Boston Celtics

No. 1 overall picks should be treated as the precious commodities they are, especially with a prospect as tantalizing as Markelle Fultz sitting atop most draft boards. After finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference this season, the Boston Celtics now have the chance to sustain their success for the long haul by keeping this year’s top draft pick.

HOWEVER.

As rare as it is to finish with the No. 1 seed in the conference and the No. 1 overall draft pick, drafting Fultz won’t help the Celtics overcome the LeBron James-shaped hurdle in the East anytime soon. With Al Horford on the wrong side of 30, Isaiah Thomas approaching free agency next summer and Boston seemingly one star piece away from legitimate challenging the Cavs, now is the time to strike.

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Rumored draft target could 'pave way' for scoring G.O.A.T. to join Boston Celtics
Rumored draft target could 'pave way' for scoring G.O.A.T. to join Boston Celtics /

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    • To be fair, maybe the Celtics could draft Fultz and still sign a difference-maker like Gordon Hayward this summer. Maybe they find a way to land a star at a position of need like Blake Griffin. Maybe they consider signing a Paul Millsap or a Serge Ibaka, or maybe they just run it back as is and hope the aging Cavs finally fall off the map.

    But outside of signing Hayward or Griffin — which would take some serious salary cap sacrifices — the Celtics still have the tantalizing option of dealing the No. 1 overall pick for someone like Paul George or Jimmy Butler.

    Either superstar wing would help the Celtics match up better with LeBron James, and with both the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls toying around with the ideal of a full-scale rebuild, offering the No. 1 pick and the chance at a young franchise player would be a pretty formidable nudge off the ledge.

    There are obvious downsides to consider. PG-13’s affinity for the Los Angeles Lakers is worrisome with his 2018 free agency approaching, and although Butler is locked in for a few years, Chicago may prefer to rebuild around him than take the long-term approach of building around Fultz.

    It’s also worth mentioning that Fultz could become a bonafide star and make Boston regret going all in on George or Butler, who still might not be enough to usurp an aging LeBron as kings of the East. You could certainly make a strong case for drafting Fultz and keeping him as the next face of the franchise, even if it means remaining second-best in the conference.

    However, the time is now for this Celtics roster to contend. They have the pieces to sustain long-term success, sure, but with King James now 32 years old and the opportunity to land a superstar staring Danny Ainge in the face, Boston has to at least consider trading the coveted No. 1 overall pick.