The Boston Celtics hold the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft thanks to a trade with the Nets (among two other first-round picks), and while it's a very high pick, they're unlikely to get either of the draft's two stars in Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. They also haven't been shy about their desire to sign a superstar to help turn their core group - which earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference this year - into a legitimate title contender, and they could use their multitude of draft picks to do just that. Here's three potential draft day trades they could make:
3) Celtics get: No. 2 overall pick
Lakers get: No. 3 overall pick, No. 16 pick, No. 23 pick, No. 45 pick
This deal is extremely unlikely because of LA's desire to take Ingram. However, if the Sixers decide to take Ingram - and the Lakers decide Simmons can't play with Julius Randle and can't trade the pick for a veteran superstar - this could happen. Los Angeles simply needs more talent on their roster, and acquiring three first-round picks and a second could be enough to convince them to move back a slot. For the Celtics, giving up this many assets isn't an issue considering how strong their roster already is.
2) Celtics get: No. 9 overall pick
Raptors get: No. 16 overall pick, No. 31 pick, No. 35 pick, No. 45 pick
Toronto is willing to trade out of the top 10, and getting this many assets could help them build an exciting young group to add to their current core. Boston gets to keep the No. 23 pick in this deal, while adding another top 10 talent. However, they only make this move if someone they really like (Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn) fall to No. 9.
1) Celtics get: Jimmy Butler
Bulls get: No. 3 overall pick, No. 23 overall pick, No. 31 pick, Brooklyn's 2018 first-round pick
This...this is what Boston is hoping for. Butler is a bonafide superstar who would give Boston the key piece they've been missing - while also making them more attractive to top-tier free agents. Sure, it's a lot to give up (especially that Nets pick), but it would be absolutely worth it for the Celtics.
They will also try to make this trade for Indiana's Paul George and Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, yet neither of those players are expected to be made available by their teams.
The move would also give Chicago four of the 31 picks in the draft.
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