Maybe we'll trade down instead

[LarBrd33]

Heh.  Considering that every team trading up needs a team trading down, it's just as likely that we'll end up trading down in this draft.   I know everyone wants us to magically move up 10 spots to take a prospect like WCS, but maybe we need to consider the possibility that we'll be the ones moving down.

#16 sounds like no-man's land.  If we don't like the guys in that tier, maybe we'll move down. 

#16 to the Lakers for #27 and #34, perhaps. 

Maybe #16 and #45 to the Rockets for #18 and #32.   

[Granath]

And maybe cows will grow wings and fly.

[LarBrd33]

And maybe cows will grow wings and fly.

DUnno man... half of teams involved in pick swaps are trading down.  What makes us so special?

[Ilikesports17]

Id do the Houston one.
I wouldnt do the Lakers one.

Id rather trade up or trade out, but I would do the Rockets deal then swing for the fences with 28, 32, 33

Just take the 3 highest potential guys and pray one works out.

[Rondo9]

I think the Celtics will either trade up or stay put.

[jpotter33]

I think it's trade up or trade out for us. Like you said, I think it's no-man's land for us where we're at. We need to either go all out for a trade up or see if someone else wants to swap the pick with a future pick. I'm not too keen on trading down either, especially if it's late first round with a guaranteed contract. I'd reach for a guy like Upshaw at 16 if we stayed.

[GC003332]

Wait a couple of days and see if the Lakers have to hand over their pick to the 76ers, if that happens it will be interesting to see if getting just the 27th pick in the draft works for them or not.

[hwangjini_1]

this is an interesting point. tp to op. 

i would not be surprised if ainge finds the cost of moving up to the #8 to #10 range too steep, and, the talent at #16 doesnt impress him. at #16, he could draft someone such as upshaw, but it would be a reach. upshaw and others, ainge may believe, would be available at #20 or so.

if so, then why not trade down, get the guy you want, and maybe pick up a second rounder for this  year or the future?

i agree this is not the most likely scenario, but it is not impossible.

[Csfan1984]

Not much difference between Lyles, Portis, Dekker, RHJ or Looney so sure I'd take the Rockets deal. But if Turner, Booker or Oubre are there I don't do it.

[boscel33]

I think they trade out and get their player like Cousins or Noel.

[Granath]

And maybe cows will grow wings and fly.

DUnno man... half of teams involved in pick swaps are trading down.  What makes us so special?

Simple math. There are a limited number of roster spots and the Celtics have a bazillion draft choices the next two years. You can't play 'em all, you can't keep them all and you can't stash 'em all.

Realistically, you can currently project the following guys (or their replacements) will be on the roster next year:

SG Bradley
SF Turner
PG Smart
C Zeller
PF Sullinger
PF Olynyk
PG Thomas
SG Young
SF Wallace
I think that's all the guaranteed contracts though I may have forgotten one or two.

Add in:
Crowder (dollars to donuts he's back)
FA #1 (probably at least a mid-grade guy on a longer term contract)
FA #2 (vet on a 1 year contract)
The Celtics need vets to contribute and will get them. These don't need to be huge signings, but they will bring in veteran role players for leadership and specific contributions - something this team desperately needs with Bass going.

That leaves 3 roster spots for 4 picks already, never mind planning for the flood of picks next year. As such, there's zero chance Danny trades down. Trading out? Maybe. Trading down. Not a chance.

Now you could claim that he's just stockpiling more "assets", but at some point there's a law of diminishing returns when it comes to cornering the market for 2nd round picks. The Cs will likely have 3 firsts next year (BOS, BRK, DAL) and 5 2nds (PHI, MIN, MIA, CLE, DAL). How many more can Danny realistically trade because he certainly can't stockpile 8 rookies next year on top of 4 this year.

[LarBrd33]

I think it's trade up or trade out for us. Like you said, I think it's no-man's land for us where we're at. We need to either go all out for a trade up or see if someone else wants to swap the pick with a future pick. I'm not too keen on trading down either, especially if it's late first round with a guaranteed contract. I'd reach for a guy like Upshaw at 16 if we stayed.

I agree with you.  I think we either trade up or out.  But you can't totally rule out the possibility that we'd trade down.   Someone's gotta do it.

[HomerSapien]

Depending how the draft board falls, I think the HOU trade is a real possibility. Then hopefully we can package one or both of the high 2nds with 28 to move up for someone we like in the early 20s.

[revtodd64]

Of all the multiple options Danny will pursue, I think trading down is the least likely, due to the math of too many picks already.  Danny is looking to unload picks for players or higher picks.  I think we miss out on trading up from 16 but trade up from 28.  Danny is going to use assets and go after Luol Deng if the Timberwolves draft a Center with their first pick.  I'd say it would cost us Olynyk/Sullinger plus a first round pick. 

[Granath]

Of all the multiple options Danny will pursue, I think trading down is the least likely, due to the math of too many picks already.  Danny is looking to unload picks for players or higher picks.  I think we miss out on trading up from 16 but trade up from 28.  Danny is going to use assets and go after Luol Deng if the Timberwolves draft a Center with their first pick.  I'd say it would cost us Olynyk/Sullinger plus a first round pick.

You mean Gorgui Dieng.