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Boston Celtics: 2018 NBA Draft Lottery odds

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 16: Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics looks on during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 16: Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics looks on during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What are the Boston Celtics chances of landing a top-five pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery?

Rarely does a team as good as the Boston Celtics also reap the benefits that a losing team gets. The Celtics are in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but could also be drafting in the top-five come June if the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery goes their way. That is what happens when you have a shrewd front office.

The Celtics pulled off one of the biggest heists in NBA history in 2013. Boston traded Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, D.J. White and two draft picks for the Brooklyn Nets for Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, Gerald Wallace and four first-round draft picks. None of those draft picks were protected and the Celtics have made the most of those picks.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were selected No. 3 overall by the Celtics the last two years thanks to the Nets. The 2018 pick they acquired was used to land Kyrie Irving from the Cavaliers. It is safe to say that the Celtics won that trade with the Nets.

Boston actually won the lottery last year, landing the No. 1 pick that turned into Markelle Fultz. However, they completed a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, which resulted in them moving down to the No. 3 spot and selecting Tatum. As a result of that trade, the Celtics could be in the top-five again this year.

As part of the trade, the Celtics received a future first round pick via the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Lakers selection lands at No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5, it will be conveyed to Boston. If it lands No. 1 or No. 6-30, it will be sent to the 76ers.

If the Celtics are to land the pick from Los Angeles, they will need Lady Luck on their side in a big way. Here are the odds for where the Lakers’ selection could land in the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery:

  • 1st:  1.1% (76ers)
  • 2nd:  1.3% (Celtics)
  • 3rd:  1.6% (Celtics)
  • 10th:  87.0% (76ers)
  • 11th:  8.9% (76ers)
  • 12th:  0.2% (76ers)
  • 13th:  >0.0% (76ers)

It would be a huge upset if the Celtics landed the selection from the Lakers this year. As you can see on the chart, there is only a three percent chance of the pick landing between No. 2-5, as the Celtics need to have the pick conveyed to them.

More than likely, this selection will be going over to the 76ers. If Boston does not receive the selection this year, it will receive the lesser of the 76ers’ and Sacramento Kings’ selections in 2019. However, if either of those selections lands in the No. 1 spot, then the Celtics will receive the lesser of the two picks.

In the lottery era, the Celtics have landed the No. 2 or No. 3 pick twice. In 1997 they selected Chauncey Billups third overall. In 1986, they selected Len Bias second overall.

Bias was the only No. 2 selection that the Celtics have made in their franchise history. They have selected No. 3 four other times, however, prior to the lottery era. In 1980 they selected Kevin McHale. In 1955 Joe Loscutoff was selected. Before him, it was George Hauptfuhrer in 1948 and Bulbs Ehlers in 1947.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Will the Celtics overcome the odds this year? We will have to wait and see! The 2018 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday, May 15.

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