Celtics trade up rumor?

[CFAN38]

https://rg.org/news/basketball/2025-nba-draft-harper-at-no-2-bailey-slips-trade-buzz-builds


"Multiple Teams Exploring Trade-Up Scenarios

The Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Nets are among the most active teams exploring first-round trade-ups, sources tell RG.

Boston holds picks No. 28 and 32 and has been discreet in its evaluation of point guard prospects. Oklahoma City holds picks No. 15 and 24 along with a deep stockpile of assets. Brooklyn is considered one of the most aggressive teams in the trade market, holding four first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 26, and 27)."
Source: https://rg.org/news/basketball/2025-nba-draft-harper-at-no-2-bailey-slips-trade-buzz-builds

[CFAN38]

Any and all rumors involving the Cs I am skeptical of because BS does a good job keeping cards close to his chest however if we want to play along with this one it could be interesting.

My first question is how high up #28 and #32 could get the Cs. I think that market will be tough because the teams in the 20s for the most part done have roster where adding multiple rookies makes sense or they already have a lot of picks (Nets and Jazz). What I think is more likely is we see Hauser and #28 and/or #32 moved in a package. With that package maybe we see Minn #17? Add a future pick and maybe Bulls at #12, Spurs #14?


If the Cs do get into the 15-20 range and PG is a position of interest my guess is Nolan Traore is the target. He would be a player I will be really excited for if BS sees value in trading up for him. A year ago he was viewed as a contender to go #1 in this draft and has an excellent physical profile.   

[mef730]

My thought has always been that if it made the rumor mill, it isn?t happening. The Cs play the misdirection game as well as anyone.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I think there are a number of teams in the top 10 that want veteran starters to help them begin to make a push in the playoffs - Spurs, Sixers, and Rockets are the obvious ones, but the Hornets, Pelicans, and Raptors are there as well, each having key pieces that they think are Franchise players.

There's a possibility that one of those teams trades for Jrue or White with their pick.

The point guard thing is interesting though. That's the one position that I thought we were doing well with. White is a starting-level point guard. Tatum, when he comes back, is our functional point guard. Pritchard is the best bench point guard in the NBA (and better than probably 10 starters). Jrue can run point guard as well. Plus, the Cs did give Davison a contract that through next season as well.

It may be that they really like a specific player, or its a smoke screen, or they are planning on a roster overhaul.

[Celtics2021]

My thought has always been that if it made the rumor mill, it isn?t happening. The Cs play the misdirection game as well as anyone.

Deals are more likely to not happen than they are, so I don?t expect something.  But in terms of the rumor, it?s not much of a rumor to say that a team with a late first and early second is calling about moving around in the draft.  Virtually every team is calling everyone.  The Celtics are presumably a viable candidate to move to the late teens and early 20s on draft night if the right player for the Celtics is on the board and the right player for a team they would trade with has already come off the board.

[Roy H.]

It's not going to surprise me if we move up, move down or move out.

My random guess is that we trade one pick and stay put with the other.

[perks-a-beast]

I would be shocked. I have been following the team since 2003, and I dont think in all those years they have ever once traded up in the draft (someone please correct me if Im wrong). They trade down, they trade out, but never up.

[Roy H.]

I would be shocked. I have been following the team since 2003, and I dont think in all those years they have ever once traded up in the draft (someone please correct me if Im wrong). They trade down, they trade out, but never up.

They traded up for Marcus Banks in 2003.

I'm drawing a blank on others.

[jambr380]

I would be shocked. I have been following the team since 2003, and I dont think in all those years they have ever once traded up in the draft (someone please correct me if Im wrong). They trade down, they trade out, but never up.

They traded up for Marcus Banks in 2003.

I'm drawing a blank on others.

Yeah, but they also kind-of traded down. They traded 16 and 20 for 13 and 27. 27 was how we got Perk.

But I agree that we probably trade out entirely with one pick. We need to replenish our future 2nd rounders, so hopefully we do something like we did in 2023 where kept trading down for more and more 2nds

[hwangjini_1]

Boston Celtics traded up to draft Kelly Olynyk in the 2013 NBA Draft. But yes, they do not do this often.

[slamtheking]

Boston Celtics traded up to draft Kelly Olynyk in the 2013 NBA Draft. But yes, they do not do this often.

beat me to it.  this is the primary source of the constant lamenting expressed here over drafting KO instead of Giannis in that draft

[perks-a-beast]

Boston Celtics traded up to draft Kelly Olynyk in the 2013 NBA Draft. But yes, they do not do this often.

Totally forgot about that - probably because that night was so overshadowed by the Pierce-Garnett trade.

I also believe Danny tried to trade up for Justice Winslow the following year, something I was totally in favor of at the time. Thank goodness that didnt happen.

[Neurotic Guy]

Rumors are fun.  I am easily manipulated and get excited when I hear a move is in the making.  I don't really think there is much, if anything, to this one, but I hope the rumor mill gets rolling over the next week.

[Neurotic Guy]

Boston Celtics traded up to draft Kelly Olynyk in the 2013 NBA Draft. But yes, they do not do this often.

Totally forgot about that - probably because that night was so overshadowed by the Pierce-Garnett trade.

I also believe Danny tried to trade up for Justice Winslow the following year, something I was totally in favor of at the time. Thank goodness that didnt happen.

The rumor on that one was shocking - am I remembering correctly that Danny allegedly offered 4 number ones to move up for Winslow?

[SparzWizard]

Boston Celtics traded up to draft Kelly Olynyk in the 2013 NBA Draft. But yes, they do not do this often.

Totally forgot about that - probably because that night was so overshadowed by the Pierce-Garnett trade.

I also believe Danny tried to trade up for Justice Winslow the following year, something I was totally in favor of at the time. Thank goodness that didnt happen.

Recalling 2013 Kelly Olynyk (#13) being drafted will always remind me of Ainge missing on Giannis who went at #15.