Kevin Durant (Photo : Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler dunks on Rudy Gay (Photo : Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images Sport)
The latest update prior to the draft is that the Boston Celtics have decided to shop their top pick (no.3 overall).
In a report from A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE "[I'm] hearing that No. 3 pick overall is the one that they are really shopping," said CSN's Celtics Insider A. Sherrod Blakely, "trying to be as aggressive as possible in trying to move that pick, because they want to get a difference-making, impact player right now. And they believe using that No. 3 pick, and maybe some other players and/or picks, might be the best way to [make] that happen."
When pressed on to identify the trade targets, Blakely offered: The guys that they want are the guys that everybody wants. We're talking about [Kevin] Durant, we're talking about Jimmy Butler, those type of players. And those guys are going to be at the top of their wish list until those guys say, 'We don't want to come to Boston.'"
Jimmy Butler has long been a target, even at the trade deadline. Kevin Durant is a free agent and it was surprising to hear his name mentioned as the topic is about possible trades. This opens the possibility that Ainge may be offering a sign-and-trade transaction.
However, as the Celtics don't really have a player at the star level that the OKC Thunder would consider, there could be a three-way trade in the offing. Of course, any trade for superstar players would involve other players and assets and the question is just how far Ainge is willing to go.
Blakely also mentioned that in the event that the Boston Celtics keep the pick, they would choose Jaylen Brown of Cal.
Celtics Blog also noted that this draft is projected to be deep but not top-heavy and this is why Ainge is willing to shop the top pick because there is a big chance he can find some value with their lower picks.
To compare the 2011 Draft class was similarly described. They had only Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson as the only difference makers in the lottery but Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler were picked later in the first round, while Chandler Parsons and Boston's Isaiah Thomas were in the second.
With eight picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Celtics hope the projection is accurate.
