The Boston Celtics took a major step forward in their rebuilding process with a berth in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, and are looking to improve their team in the draft. Here are three things to know about their plans on draft day:
1) Try to trade for DeMarcus Cousins
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Boston will try to trade for Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, thinking he's the superstar they need to take them to the next level:
Will they open their war chest of future draft picks to try to pry DeMarcus Cousins away from Sacramento via trade? The early word out there is: Bank on it.
Will they be in the mix for pretty much any name player who unexpectedly comes available in coming months?
Bank on that, too.
The Celtics have an astonishing 24 picks between now and the 2019 draft, so look for them to give a plethora of them to try and land Cousins.
2) Boston "intent on moving up in the draft"
All of those draft picks also give the Celtics an extreme amount of flexibility in trying to trade up, which is exactly what Boston is trying to do this year, according to ESPN's Chad Ford:
The Celtics seem to be intent on moving up in the draft. The question is whether their assets (a bunch of solid young players and some middling first-round picks) can get them there.
After the first five picks are off the board, things will start to get interesting. Five of the next six teams in the draft -- the Kings, Pistons, Hornets, Heat and Pacers -- all have playoff aspirations next season and if the right offer comes along, these picks can definitely be had.
3) Willie Cauley-Stein "an ideal fit" for Boston?
Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix thinks that Willie Cauley-Stein is the type of player who can come in the league and provide an immediate impact on defense, making him the perfect fit for the Celtics.
“If you’re looking at size, defense and rebounding, Willie Cauley-Stein is it. He is an ideal fit for, really, any team, but certainly Boston who has some offensive options at the four and five spot with Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. Can Boston jump up to get him? Not if they make the playoffs because he’s going to go in the lottery. But if they can find a way to get their hands on him, he is a terrific defensive prospect.
“To me, if Boston can find a way to move up and draft Cauley-Stein — and that may mean trading a future first round pick — that’s a guy who would step in seamlessly. Unlike the other Kentucky players, he’s a junior so he’s more NBA-ready than a lot of guys coming into the draft. He could step into the team seamlessly next year and be that defensive presence they’ve needed.”
Follow our Boston Celtics team page for all the latest Celtics news and rumors!
Back to the Boston Celtics Newsfeed