Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have solid chances at the lottery as they are hinged on the Brooklyn Nets.
However, they could still enhance their chances by prying away Brook Lopez, the Nets prized center.
The Celtics are still in trade rumors with their desire to acquire a center, and they have been linked to DeMarcus Cousins or even Dwight Howard. Brook Lopez is a tier beneath those names, but he is a solid option.
As stated in a comment in a Celtics Blog post, Lopez was named as a target for Boston instead of Joe Johnson. The team has no shortage of talent to offer, and David Lee would be the basis to match salaries. However, it is expected that the Nets would demand a pick in return-specifically their own pick.
It's a good thing for Danny Ainge that they have more first round picks at their disposal. A Real GM forum thread stated that if the Celtics could acquire Brook Lopez, it would weaken the Nets and make the possibility of their draft pick becoming the first overall pick higher.
It would be a win-win situation for Danny Ainge as they accelerate their development by getting a solid big man. Lopez has a steep paycheck at almost $ 20 million but that would seem reasonable with the salary cap increase.
So what could the Celtics offer? David Lee, Jonas Jerebko possibly Tyler Zeller and one of their guards like Terry Rozier plus the Dallas Mavericks pick (Top 7 protected) would be a good haul for the Nets. It's better for the Celtics to have one lotto pick that would rate higher and acquire a solid big-which is one of their goals in the draft anyway.
