Do we own the best bunch of draft picks?

[Boris Badenov]

Is the Celtics' whole portfolio of first round draft picks the best in the league right now? Is there any team's set of picks that is better between now and 2018?

To recap we have (as far as I know):

1. Celtics 1st picks for each year 2014-18.

2. Nets picks (unprotected) in 2016 and 2018.

3. The lesser of the Nets' and Hawks picks in 2014.

4. A Clippers unprotected pick in 2015.

5. The right to swap picks with the Nets in 2017.

Valuing future picks is tough, but here's the question. Would you swap our entire set of picks over that period for any other team's entire set?

You can see them here:

http://www1.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

Notable options to consider IMO include CHA, CLE, DEN, ORL, PHI, PHO and UT.

Thoughts?

[aingeforthree]

No way am I swapping the picks/situation.

The Nets picks are worth more than gold right at the moment.  I don't see how they get better and better over the years.  They can only make Knick type moves from the past to improve their roster.

I think the worst of the Nets picks will be this upcoming draft, and that's in a loaded draft, where you can still do some damage mid to late if the work is put in.  Having 2 picks in next years draft gives you so much to work with if you're trading or drafting.

The Clippers pick could also be interesting as the West is getting better and better.  The Clippers should still be good, but still.  There's some strong value with that one.

If you're patient enough, you can easily land 2 all stars with any pick/player trade combo that comes down the wire within the next 3 years.  That's how valuable the future picks could be. It's just a matter of patience & waiting it out for the right move.

Ainge has some big cards to play with in the upcoming years to really upgrade his roster.

[manl_lui]

No way am I swapping the picks/situation.

The Nets picks are worth more than gold right at the moment.  I don't see how they get better and better over the years.  They can only make Knick type moves from the past to improve their roster.

I think the worst of the Nets picks will be this upcoming draft, and that's in a loaded draft, where you can still do some damage mid to late if the work is put in.  Having 2 picks in next years draft gives you so much to work with if you're trading or drafting.

The Clippers pick could also be interesting as the West is getting better and better.  The Clippers should still be good, but still.  There's some strong value with that one.

If you're patient enough, you can easily land 2 all stars with any pick/player trade combo that comes down the wire within the next 3 years.  That's how valuable the future picks could be. It's just a matter of patience & waiting it out for the right move.

Ainge has some big cards to play with in the upcoming years to really upgrade his roster.

Danny Ainge must be really good at poker. I am not even mad at the losses considering this team was constructed to shed salaries and young talent. This year's team is built to "suck".

But considering the assets we have, and the coaching staff, I feel very optimistic about the future.

If we do indeed suck, and get a chance at a top 3 pick (Wiggins, Parker, Randle), any one of them could replace Jeff Green (I love Green btw). If they do perform better than Green, I am sure we can flip in for more assets!

[hwangjini_1]

good thread. thanks bb and a tp for you and natasha.

another dimension to consider beyond the picks themselves are the multiple options such picks (and current players) give ainge.

ainge could simply draft based upon current picks. given his drafting record, i am fine with that.

but look at the olynyk pick. smart, smart decision to move up a few spots in the draft. now, using multiple picks he might be able to move up in 1 or 2 more drafts, perhaps even more dramatically. i am not stating he will, only saying it increases his ability to do so.

and then again, why not draft for other teams and trade the player? that is how perk was picked up i believe.

or, package picks and current players to get a super star or two. i dont know if ainge has ever done this yet, but he might!!! 

so, bb opens an interesting discussion on draft picks. but we can also see that ainge is shrewd enough to make great use of assets such as these.

and does anyone else think he might be trading some current celtics for more picks? i do. 

[VitorSullyandKOFan]

And by the deadline I see Danny adding more picks by trading Bradley,Craw or Green.

[billysan]

Lots of good points made already.

My excitement is coming from the fact that we could realistically be looking at adding 3-4 lottery talent level players in the next few years through the draft.

Here's how I see it:

Our pick in 2014 is likely a lottery pick

Our pick in 2015 could well be a lottery pick

The Nets picks in 2016, 2017 and 2018 could each be a lottery pick or close.

In a worst case scenario, the Nets are mediocre and a border line playoff team these last few years. All they will have left is an aging Deron Williams, an aging Joe Johnson and Lopez. KG and Pierce will both be long gone and retired IMO.

In any of the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 scenarios we can always try to trade up with our second 1st round pick to get into the lottery if we didnt land there to start with.

We will alway have the option to package any of these picks for an All Star talent as well. This doesnt even count the cap room we could have going forward.

[Kane3387]

Phoenix has a nice collection as does Philly. Were in the discussion. Utah might be too.

[Boris Badenov]

Lots of good points made already.

My excitement is coming from the fact that we could realistically be looking at adding 3-4 lottery talent level players in the next few years through the draft.

Here's how I see it:

Our pick in 2014 is likely a lottery pick

Our pick in 2015 could well be a lottery pick

The Nets picks in 2016, 2017 and 2018 could each be a lottery pick or close.

In a worst case scenario, the Nets are mediocre and a border line playoff team these last few years. All they will have left is an aging Deron Williams, an aging Joe Johnson and Lopez. KG and Pierce will both be long gone and retired IMO.

In any of the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 scenarios we can always try to trade up with our second 1st round pick to get into the lottery if we didnt land there to start with.

We will alway have the option to package any of these picks for an All Star talent as well. This doesnt even count the cap room we could have going forward.

I think the nicest thing about our options is that even if Danny makes some moves to improve the Celts by 2016, thus devaluing our picks somewhat, the Nets picks could still be valuable enough to fetch us an established borderline star to fill out the roster.

I don't want to get too hopeful but I like the overall position a lot.

[TheTruthFot18]

CLE and PHI look good, but PHX is gonna have great picks this year. I think we're ok year to year.

Didn't realize GS did a Brooklyn win now type deal with those picks traded.

[LooseCannon]

If a team is looking to blow it up and trade an aging All-Star, the Celtics probably have the best collection of draft picks to throw into a trade for that player.

[guava_wrench]

It is pretty awesome that while we are horrible, we have all of our own first round picks. The Nets should be at their best this year compared to 3 years from now. D-Will should still be strong if healthy and Lopez should be still at his peak, but KG and Pierce will be gone and Joe Johnson will probably be just a catch and shoot guy by then (34 years old).

[Tr1boy]

Danny is not going to draft 2 1st round picks for the next 5 years.  You don't build a proper team that way plus the team will be overloaded with too many players

He has to take one or two years and take a chance imo.  2014 and 2015 might be good years to do that.  Still keep one pick for the rest of the years

For example for the 2014 draft we end up getting the 12th pick. Worse out of nets/hawks pick is 20th. If danny wants a Harrison Barnes who is projected to be drafted 7th, now he can package both picks to try to get him. Add another 2015 celtics picks if he wants to drop 2 or 3 more spots.

It will be a overpay situation but likely worth it in the long run

[LooseCannon]

Danny is not going to draft 2 1st round picks for the next 5 years.

He will if he doesn't think he will get enough value trading the picks, but he won't be averse to trading a young player with upside that he drafted a year or two ago.

[Tr1boy]

Danny is not going to draft 2 1st round picks for the next 5 years.

He will if he doesn't think he will get enough value trading the picks, but he won't be averse to trading a young player with upside that he drafted a year or two ago.

I disagree. He won't get a fair deal if he wants to move up to a spot he feels comfortable to get a player he really wants or thinks the team needs.

Adding Bass, Lee is not going to help you move up many spots

[LooseCannon]

Danny is not going to draft 2 1st round picks for the next 5 years.

He will if he doesn't think he will get enough value trading the picks, but he won't be averse to trading a young player with upside that he drafted a year or two ago.

I disagree. He won't get a fair deal if he wants to move up to a spot he feels comfortable to get a player he really wants or thinks the team needs.

Adding Bass, Lee is not going to help you move up many spots

I could see Ainge trading down in the 2014 draft if he can pick up a future pick to get the player he really wants at a better value.

If he wants to move up a few spots and thinks it is fair to give up two but not three future firsts, then I think he will hold the line on what he thinks is fair value instead of caving.  I think he won't be forced into any desperate, panic moves.