Post by Admin on Jun 23, 2023 10:36:04 GMT -5
First "financial flexibility" was about using the draft to fill out a costly core to have dependable rotation/bench guys. Brian Robb did a report on this after Denver acquired picks from OKC ... Here is what he said on June 9th:
Should Celtics take similar urgent path to Nuggets trade with Thunder?
Boston owns just one draft pick for 2023 at No. 35 and their cupboard for future second-round picks is relatively bare moving forward after a host of win-now moves in the last few years.
With Boston on a similar track towards Denver when it comes to focusing on the present to contend, acquiring more young cost-controlled talent that may be able to help the Celtics win now may hold some appeal to Brad Stevens in the wake of the NBA’s new CBA.
Outside of a 2028 pick swap with the Spurs for the first round, the Celtics’ entire catalog of first-round picks is intact after this year’s Draft. If Boston is willing to dip into their reserves now, they may be able to move up in the draft or add multiple picks to help fill out the roster with some developmental talent.
With Boston on a similar track towards Denver when it comes to focusing on the present to contend, acquiring more young cost-controlled talent that may be able to help the Celtics win now may hold some appeal to Brad Stevens in the wake of the NBA’s new CBA.
Outside of a 2028 pick swap with the Spurs for the first round, the Celtics’ entire catalog of first-round picks is intact after this year’s Draft. If Boston is willing to dip into their reserves now, they may be able to move up in the draft or add multiple picks to help fill out the roster with some developmental talent.
[Admin Comment: I read several times that Brad was trying to move up in the draft - for a player or to mimic Bill Belichick? Trading down once for an extra pick is one thing but doing it over & over comes with risk that you get stuck with a player that you don't really want if unable to flip him]
That type of deal will limit Boston’s ability to trade down the road depending on the year/protections of any pick dealt. However, this is a route that Boston should consider as they consider making sustainable upgrades to the roster without having to sacrifice talent in the present. Oklahoma City is one of several teams that have stockpiled plenty of picks in the next few years and not all of those teams will be capable of using all those picks. The Celtics are positioned well to take advantage (like the Nuggets) if they are willing to gamble some of their future for more cost controlled help in the present.
Now, after watching Kris Murray selected #23 and Omax Prosper #24, suddenly the C's move down to #31 via Detroit. Was that the plan all along ... if so, why not make that trade earlier if all along you want to stay in round 2 to be able to use the MLE ($5MM) when teams like the Lakers are paying $4MM for pick #40 and getting talent like Maxwell Lewis!
So today this is what Brian Robb reports:
Why Celtics made four trades in 2023 NBA Draft
Boston started the night with the No. 25 overall pick acquired from the Grizzlies in the Marcus Smart deal. From there, Boston proceeded to make four separate trades, dealing down or out of acquired picks in order to build up a stockpile of future second-round picks. Here’s how Boston’s draft night went down, pick-by-pick.
Celtics trade No. 25 to Pistons for No. 31 pick and two future second round picks
Celtics trade No. 31 to Hornets for No. 34 and No. 39 picks
Celtics trade No. 34 pick to Kings for No. 38 and a future second round pick
Celtics select Jordan Walsh at No. 38 and keep the pick
Celtics trade No. 39 pick to the Hawks for a future second round pick.
Celtics trade No. 25 to Pistons for No. 31 pick and two future second round picks
Celtics trade No. 31 to Hornets for No. 34 and No. 39 picks
Celtics trade No. 34 pick to Kings for No. 38 and a future second round pick
Celtics select Jordan Walsh at No. 38 and keep the pick
Celtics trade No. 39 pick to the Hawks for a future second round pick.
Here’s the full list of draft picks the Celtics acquired on Thursday night
* Dallas’ 2024 second round pick
* Dallas’ 2024 second round pick
* The best of Detroit’s, Golden State’s, or Washington’s 2025 second round pick
* The best of Minnesota’s, New Orleans’s, New York’s, or Portland’s 2026 second round pick
* Atlanta’s 2027 second round pick
With the Celtics in win-now mode, the team was not interested in adding many rookies to their roster in this year’s draft per a source. It comes as no surprise on that front as Brad Stevens has traded away all of his first round picks with the team during his tenure as president of basketball operations.
With the Celtics in win-now mode, the team was not interested in adding many rookies to their roster in this year’s draft per a source. It comes as no surprise on that front as Brad Stevens has traded away all of his first round picks with the team during his tenure as president of basketball operations.
[Admin Comment: So in one of deepest drafts in a long time and in need of a Wing and a PF they opt to ignore upperclassmen with talent to stockpile 2nd Round Picks - Really? And why did we carry Champagnie the entire POs rather than a vet like Snell or Valentine? Even Kabengele would have been better.]
The goal the Celtics accomplished on draft night instead was leveraging their position to replenish their minor trade assets (second-round picks). Boston entered Thursday night having traded four of their next seven future second-round picks.
Celtics second round picks entering Thursday night
2024 — Traded
2025 — Own
2026 — Own
2027 — Traded
2028 — Traded
2029 — Traded
2030 — Own
The Celtics addressed this shortfall by making four trades that turned into the No. 38 overall pick in Walsh and four future second-round picks that completely restock their draft cabinet. Boston now has the ability to use these picks to sweeten up deals this offseason or during the trade deadline for minor moves, keeping their supply of future tradable first round picks (8) intact for bigger scenarios.
Ultimately, the Celtics didn’t do anything splashy on Thursday night but their moves set the table for Boston for more action this offseason.
2024 — Traded
2025 — Own
2026 — Own
2027 — Traded
2028 — Traded
2029 — Traded
2030 — Own
The Celtics addressed this shortfall by making four trades that turned into the No. 38 overall pick in Walsh and four future second-round picks that completely restock their draft cabinet. Boston now has the ability to use these picks to sweeten up deals this offseason or during the trade deadline for minor moves, keeping their supply of future tradable first round picks (8) intact for bigger scenarios.
Ultimately, the Celtics didn’t do anything splashy on Thursday night but their moves set the table for Boston for more action this offseason.
[After telling us that Boston should follow Denver's route to acquire cheap but dependable bench help using the draft with late 1st and 2nd rd picks, suddenly the philosophy is restocking the cupboard of 2nds for future trade chips - so now we're to believe that we won't use experienced rookies but opt to add more veteran depth by trading and using 2nds as bait to get them ... luxury tax be damned - full speed ahead!]
