The Boston Celtics now clearly visualize possible trade deals involving their top picks following the conclusion of the NBA's draft lottery.
The Celtics, one of the most storied franchise in the league, have struck bronze in the draft lottery as they get the opportunity to choose the third best available talent in this year's draft class.
However, there are rumors that the Celtics could trade their top pick for proven NBA stars, who could instantly boost the team back into title contention once again.
The Celtics have a flurry of picks in the 2016 NBA draft, thanks to general manager Danny Ainge's past deals for Boston. But it is also the team's agenda to find a superstar and a go-to-guy to finally complete the missing piece of Boston's back-to-title-contenders puzzle.
Chris Mannix of The Vertical has revealed some of the Celtics' offseason plans, which mainly centered at going hard in pursuing Kevin Durant in free agency. But for Boston to orchestrate such blueprint, Mannix suggested the Celtics have to deal for a budding star like Jimmy Butler, who has been linked to trade rumors prior to the Feb. 18 deadline.
"Boston needs a deal for Jimmy Butler, a commitment from Al Horford, a carrot to dangle in front of Durant to persuade him that relocating east is the smart play," Mannix wrote.
There is a reason to believe the Celtics could capitalize making the No. 3 pick in this year's draft as their trade bait to acquire the player they deem fit for their roster. Lachlan Marr of SB Nation chronicled the Celtic's draft history within the top-10, which mostly featured busts selections. Jeff Green, drafted first overall at No. 5 in 2007, and Randy Foye, No. 7 in the 2006 draft, did not translate to an All-Star talent in the league.
The Celtics' most recent top-10 selection produced one of their backcourt players in Marcus Smart, although the Oklahoma State product has not shown much of a potential to take a starting role, with Isaiah Thomas thriving in Boston.
Moreover, with uncertainty in potentials on prospects from the top three selection and beyond, there is little reason for the Celtics to keep hold of their picks, with the team also featuring a pack of young talents in their lineup.
Meanwhile, Butler has been linked to the Celtics numerous times, but Thomas' meeting with the Chicago Bulls star has reignited any of the trade rumors involving Butler.
While it would be monumental for the Celtics to acquire a budding yet experienced talent in Butler, the Bulls have a high asking-price for the 26-year-old All-Star, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Blakely also claimed, citing his sources that any deal would have to include the No. 3 pick and at least one "legitimate, NBA starter" for Chicago to budge.
It is undetermined whether Boston would truly entertain the idea of trading away their No. 3 pick, but Ainge is known to pounce at any chances to improve the team if the price is right.
"Right now, where we are, it's all combined," Ainge said, reports NESN. "We have to look at trades, draft and free agency in order to build our team with the assets that we have."