Trading down in the draft?

[sadleprechaun]

Based on Ainge's comments from earlier today that this year's draft is overrated, do you think he might actually trade down?  Or trade away this year's pick(s) in exchange for future picks?  It's an approach that we've seen Belichick use successfully, so could it work for the Celtics, too?

[LooseCannon]

You don't need his comments from today to know that he is willing to trade down depending on who he likes.  If, at the point the Celtics pick, Ainge projects the guy he likes the most to be available five slots later, he would certainly try to trade down and pick up additional assets.

Any decision to make such a trade won't happen until draft day, though.

[libermaniac]

Trading down from the top of a draft is rarely ever a good move in the NBA.  Basketball is a game of stars, football is more of a team sport where you need to field a solid roster top to bottom.  In the NFL two mid-to-late first round picks is more valuable than the 7th pick, but probably not so in the NBA.

It's just a smokescreen.  That means Ainge really wants his picks this year.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I really believe that you only trade down when other teams seems to be overpaying for your own draft selection.

There could be teams like that who thinks they are one piece away, and the piece they are looking at is out of their reach at Draft Night, so they'd rather overpay and give future picks/assets.

Of course overpaying is different from person to person. But the only reason we should trade down is if we get an overpay.

[Who]

Trading down looks a good choice if Celtics aren't in top 5.

Either trade up or trade down. Those next few picks don't look like they offer good value.

[sadleprechaun]

Sure--Ainge is an opportunist, but I guess I'm wondering if people think that trading down might already be Plan A.  Would it be better for us to have a bunch of picks in one year or picks spread out over a few years?

If your goal is to land the next LeBron, you want to have the flexibility to trade up at some point, right?  Maybe Danny will stockpile a bunch of picks in a particular year to make it more likely that he can trade up for a top pick. 

I don't envision him trading away a top 5 pick, but I can see him trading down from 7 to 15, for example, if he picks up a future pick in the deal.  I can also see him trading away a pick in the 7-10 range this year for a pick that could help him get a top three pick next year.

[Tr1boy]

I can see Danny trading the 6th or 7th pick for bobcats 10th and a late 20 pick