By my count, the Celts now have 8 first round picks over the next three seasons.
That's in addition to other current assets they have like Smart, Sully, Olynyk and Bradley.
Here's a look at players which Ainge could perhaps pry to Boston next offseason by either trade or free agency.
Trade Targets
1.) Dwight Howard: Howard can become a free agent as soon as the summer of 2016 if he opts out.
If the Rockets can't make it past the first round this season and Ainge comes cashing in, does Houston consider dealing it's star center?
I think Howard is at that "KG of 2007" stage of his career where he isn't getting any younger and likely has 4-5 productive years left before he starts to decline. Not to mention, Howard already missed 11 games this season with a knee injury.
Could Howard be had with some of our assets?
2.) Chris Bosh: This one might be more realistic than you might think actually. Bosh just signed a 5 year mega deal this past summer. Right now, Miami is an underwhelming 12-15 and if you look at their roster, there isn't much to look at past Bosh and not much flexibility.
To me, Miami has the makings of another roller coaster ride of going from the top back down to the bottom. Could they be tempted to deal their star player for future assets and cap relief?
3.) Chris Paul: I know we've been down this road before. But I believe if the Clippers don't win a title this year, the Clippers could look to move Paul and get younger by building around Griffin. If we already had another star in toe, could Boston be viewed a more attractive destination to Paul from what it was 3 years ago when we were a much older team?
4.) Russell Westbrook: If the Thunder have another underwhelming season this year, at what point does OKC consider breaking up the Durant/Westbrook pair? If DA offered Smart and a plethora of draft picks to Thunder, wouldn't they consider that return for Westbrook? My prediction: Durant leaves OKC in 2016, Westbrook gets dealt and the Thunder go back to 2007 territory where they start from the beginning with Ibaka as their star player.
FREE AGENCY
1.)Kevin Love - Yes I know we've been here before, or have we? Remember, last summer Love wasn't a free agent and Cleveland wasn't his first choice til Lebron got there. Say Cleveland doesn't go as far as they would like and Love wants to go somewhere where he's the go to guy. Why wouldn't Boston be on his list with all the cap space we'd have? This is where a Westbrook/Love duo would be a dream!
2.)Goran Dragic: Great player. Even if we go the younger route and stick with Smart long-term, tell me you wouldn't love a Smart/Dragic backcourt? And if you want to attract another star player, suddenly Dragic/Smart would be a nice backcourt to play with, wouldn't it?
3.)Deandre Jordan: Sort of far-fetched because I'd be shocked if the Clippers didn't resign him. But, if they didn't, our long awaited center target would be on the market. Jordan would be perfect on a younger, up-tempo Brad Stevens team. Sully, Smart and Jordan would be great AND…see number 4
4.)Greg Monroe: Monroe is a guy who is not only good but I am surprised Ainge hasn't made a more earnest attempt to get him. Also Monroe would be a great pick up if you don't necessarily want to go the star route and want to keep building around Smart, Sully, Bradley, Olynk, etc. If Ainge could also get Jordan then Monroe/Jordan with Sully/KO off the bench would be perfect!!
Or we could go the boring, miserable route of just "building through the draft"(yawn!)
Thoughts or suggestions?