The Boston Celtics are looking to get active in the trade market. The team has been hoarding draft picks over the past two seasons, not for the purpose of using them, but to trade them and this is the season they are targeting as one to fully rebuild the team. Danny Ainge is targeting several players with draft deals, but if those fail what is the backup plan for the Celtics?
The Celtics have the No.16 pick in the NBA Draft and they want to move up with several players as their intend target. According to Andrew Perna of RealGM.com, the Celtics are very interested in Texas star Myles Turner along with Willie Cauley Stein, Frank Kaminsky and Justise Winslow. The Celtics need a top defender. Ainge as stated that with the confident in Marcus Smart, the Celtics need someone under the rim for defense and rebounding. Any of those players would be ideal to fill the need and while someone like Turner could be available at No.16, the rest could be drafted.
It is unclear just how high in the draft the Celtics are looking to move. The Denver Nuggets are aiming for a move down the boards. The Celtics could put together a deal with them while acquiring someone like Kenneth Faried. The Sacramento Kings continue to downplay draft deals, but yet keep getting linked to a move regarding DeMarcus Cousins. Boston could really capitalize if they are truly willing to give up their first-round draft picks.
If the Celtics fail to get a deal done on draft day, where can they look for defenders? According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics can still explore trades with players like Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger. They can also afford to sign a top name off the free agent market. Isaiah Thomas told the media that Ainge asked him to help recruit, something the point guard is taking seriously. LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe and Paul Millsap are all considered available options for Boston should they fail to get someone in the draft.
While the Celtics are willing to deal both Bass and Sullinger, they could be dealing with the departure of another player. According to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, Jae Crowder is ready to hit free agency and test his worth. Celtics' president Rich Gotham has stated that he would prefer to retain Crowder and re-sign the small forward, but the young player is looking to test his worth before making another move.
