COMMENTS
We finally know for sure how many picks the Boston Celtics will have in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Celtics traded Jeff Green to Memphis in 2015, and the Grizzlies sent back a first-round pick. Thursday’s draft lottery confirmed that selection will transfer to the Celtics this year in the form of the no. 14 general choice. That, what then?
Boston owns the picks no. 14, 26, 30 and 47, but the 2020 NBA Draft is anything but normal, just like everything else in the last eight months. The coronavirus pandemic has eliminated personal workouts, interviews and pro days until October 16, making it only more difficult for teams to evaluate prospects. With virtual interviews their only outlet, NBA teams are as limited as ever when it comes to evaluation tools prior to the draft. In an already weak class, the uncertainty is through the roof.
That you might say to yourself, “Wow, that doesn’t sound good. What a terrible concept to have three first-round picks in.” And you’re partly right. The loaded 2021 class would be a much better place to be. to use those picks, assuming the process is then at least semi-normal.But the Celtics are in a luxurious position, as the No. 14 slot offers a great chance to get a role player who immediately from the bank can contribute.
With all that in mind, what are Boston’s options on draft night now that the lottery order has been confirmed?
Acts
Danny Ainge is no stranger to swapping picks, and that will surely be on the table this year. A weak class, an abnormal advance process and a lack of grid space point to the Celtics packing these picks to go up, down or even out if they do not like the board.
Boston’s lack of roster space should be emphasized when considering how the front office will consider handling its share of draft picks. It is quite possible that the Celtics have just two open roster spots this offseason, making it difficult to slide more than one rookie to an active spot.
Unfortunately, completing a trade will not be easy.
Thanks to the previously mentioned reasons, draft picks will not have as much value this year. A pick for late lottery, like Boston’s no. 14-selection, does not hold the same weight in 2020 as in a deeper class. It can be hard convincing teams that the no. 14 pick the centerpiece is what they are looking for in a trade. On the bright side, Memphis’ lack of playoffs helped the Celtics move up three slots, and no. 14 is more valuable than no. 17. Boston also has the luxury of holding four picks, which means they can sweeten the pot much more than most other trading partners by adding their extra capacity.
If a player on the board of Boston starts to slip in the early first round, you could see Ainge making a puzzle for pack picks, and even one of the young Celtics players, to get to the back end of the top 10 to go. Yes, it is a weak class, but there are many prospects with high floors who could help the Celtics so next season. If Boston has a shot on one of the goals, then don’t be surprised if they move multiple picks to jump a few spots up. However, in a class where evaluation has become increasingly difficult, some teams cannot stay away from wasting ability to bring up only a few slots.
Retail trading does not seem like a great option this year unless you find a design-and-stash perspective that is ready to develop overseas. With a volume Celtics roster, a late first-round or second-round pick in this draft could find herself in the G League over her first year or two. At present, there is no guarantee that the G League season will take place next year itself due to its dependence on commercial aviation travel. Therefore, stashing players abroad can become a popular option among teams with selections after the late first and second rounds. Bottom line: the further back you move, the more uncertainty you run. The draft-and-stash route sounds appealing, but there are not a ton of options in this class.
Of course, when we talk concept deals with Ainge, you should always consider trading for a future first round selection. As of now, the 2021 draft will be the first instance in seven years where the Celtics have no chance of owning a team’s first team selection. That could change if Ainge does not like what he sees on design night.
Potential goals
As I mentioned earlier, this class may not have the depth that concept experts are looking for, but there is no shortage of projectable role players who can contribute directly from the bat. Focusing on players with higher floors and lower ceilings this year would benefit the Celtics immensely, and there is a bunch of players under that umbrella who come to the fore.
It’s no secret that Boston could use some shots from the bench. Saddiq Bey en Aaron Nesmith are two 3-and-D players who could immediately jump into the Celtics’ rotation. They are big, confident shooters, defenders of smart team and would provide some need of floor space. Both players would be ideal choices on the no. 14-slot.
With Brad Wanamaker hitting free agency on this offseason, Boston was able to search deep into the wait for draft night. Tyrese Maxey en Cole Anthony would be great backcourt options at no. 14 if available. Maxey is a workhorse at the defensive end and a creative score, while Anthony would deliver a great scoring punch from the bench.
If the Celtics look to improve their lead, picks 26 and / or 30 would probably be best. Players alike Xavier Tillman, Jalen Smith, Paul Reed, Zeke Nnaji of Killian Tillie are all intriguing options for big men who might be interested in the interior of Boston.
Picks Nos. 26, 30 and 47, if retained, should all be considered as spots where the Celtics can choose a design-and-stash perspective. With virtually no grid space, this option makes the most sense from both a salary cap and grid building standpoint. It is often difficult to find prospects who are ready to go this route. You would also want to go straight to the NBA, right?
As you can see, a bundle of four selections gives the Celtics a plethora of options on head night. Packing those picks and moving up to get the best role player possible seems like a promising option, given the uncertainty that arises in many forms as you continue to sink into this year’s concept. But, as we know, Ainge zigs often when people predict a saw, so we just have to wait until October 16th to get our answers.
