Kevin Love (Photo : Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics eventually used their no.3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft after failing to secure a trade.
There were various rumors about interest for the pick because of Providence standout Kris Dunn. The Celtics' decision to draft swingman Jaylen Brown instead of Dunn is a signal that Boston has used the draft for themselves.
An unsuccessful run for Jimmy Butler (as chronicled here) has left the Celtics yearning for a superstar. Celtics' front office head Danny Ainge's gameplan was to secure a superstar using the current draft picks, but the no.3 pick was grossly undervalued, partly because there were only two projected All-Stars in a relatively weak draft.
Still the Celtics are determined to make the moves that matter, especially since they scored a meeting with Kevin Durant as reported by Sam Amick of USA Today.
While that may be a milestone for the team, more so because teams like the LA Lakers and Washington Wizards reportedly missed out, the Celtics won't be able to impress KD with their current roster. Considering the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are there, not to mention the OKC Thunder, Ainge has to present a stronger (read: superstar laden) roster.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted that the Celtics are doing exactly that on a Lowe Post podcast with Zach Lowe (h/t Mass Live) when they mentioned trades for Kevin Love.
"The Celtics is the trade that has made sense for six months," Windhorst said. "I happen to know the Cavs really like Avery Bradley and to me, I would want Marcus Smart and I would want one of the draft picks. You're not getting the high (No. 3 overall) pick obviously, but you want a draft pick."
However, Windhorst reiterated that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the champions and they are not pressed to move Kevin Love. Boston has to take the initiative and in this case, they are negotiating from a position of need.
Thus, the Celtics need to make a convincing offer to the Cavs. They have LeBron James and two young stars-they are not thinking of draft picks to build their future. What they would want are pieces that could make them even better-as only four points separated them from the Warriors.
Avery Bradley is one of them and Lowe mentioned the other chip-Jae Crowder. There is a big possibility that Cleveland plays hardball and asks for both and it would spark debate-but having Kevin Love would give them a better chance at KD, whom Lowe mentioned was the ultimate target.
It's a steep price to pay but if they want a shot at Durant, they should pull the trigger.
