Draft night
trade 13th and 17th picks to Utah for 5th and 35th picks
5th pick = Smart
35th pick = Hairston
6th pick = Gordon
Lineup
C - Dieng - He was pulling down 13 + rebounds, blocking 2-3 shots and scoring 10 plus points a game late in the year. He is also a smart player, has good passing skills , can make 15-17ft jump shots and has exceptional length to get in tip ins Anthony Davis style. He looked 5-7 pounds bigger last season and with another 5-7 could be a really good center in this league. Maybe not skill wise but everything else including multiple monster 15 plus rebound and 3 plus block games. This is the rim protector we've been looking for
PF - KO - He was scoring 20 plus points filling in for Sullinger. So too skilled +7" height not be an above avg starter in this the nba. He is going to come in better shape, stronger and i'm sure we will see more tricks we haven't before. Danny was wrong and he won't only be a complimentary player for us
SF - Aaron Gordon - Explosive SF that has a high iq, great defender and does alot of things to give your team a chance to win. He is already about 225 and can top out at 240 without losing his explosiveness. Imagine a 240 pound AA in a few years.
SG - Jeff Green - Not a natural SG but can play the position. He hasn't really succeeded as a SF in this league (poor rebounder, lack of a consistent post game) and might have a better luck at the SG spot. He would have size adv on a nightly basis
PG - Smart - A human Bowling ball. He will attack you, can finish through contact and in time should become a better shooter/less turnover prone. Great defender and operator from the post. Imagine a scrawny MCW or a much smaller Chris Paul trying to contain him from getting near the post??
Bench depth
Sullinger
Bass
Muhammad
Hairston
Pressey
Iverson/Faverani
FA sign
Minny does this trade to try to please Love. That Rondo can help the team make at least 8th in the west then go from there. The team can give up Dieng bc they already have a starting center. For the Celts this would be imo a right direction to make the current rebuild stop being a rebuild as soon and painless as possible. Maybe next season we don't make the playoffs but i bet we do the season after and only keep getting better. This would be a very strong defensive lineup, athletic, skilled with strong bench depth.