Danny Ainge: “a handful of teams” have already expressed interest in the #1 pick

[kozlodoev]

I really have a hard time imagining a scenario where we trade Fultz and we come out on top. He seems like a can't miss prospect and is absolutely suited to excel in today's style of play.

Exactly. We would essentially have to trade him for a current MVP candidate or someone who looks to be a lock to be a future MVP candidate. In my estimation, that's about 6-8 guys (none are actually available).

I'm unsure why drafting Fultz is incompatible with a win-now strategy. If he isn't giving you something in a couple of years, then he'll probably be a bust of of epic proportions either way.

[heyvik]

A lot of teams played hardball with Ainge th past two trade deadlines and last years draft. Now he's in the drivers seat with the #1 pick, he's going to enjoy the hell out of playing hardball with them

This is what I'm most looking forward to. Last year teams overvalued their assets, now DA has the #1 pick, if they want to trade, they are forced to deal with trader danny.

[jpotter33]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

[Tr1boy]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

Simmons and porzingis trades are unrealistic

Why would they?  If knicks trade porzingis...they are weak upfront

76ers are not desperate enough for Fultz ...have #3 pick and could get their pg "fix" with either fox, monk , ball etc

[nebist]

Yes or no...

#1 for Jamal Murray, Hernangomez 2017 1st and 2019 1st

#1 for Jokic

#1 for Parker, Brogdon, 2019 1st

#1 for Saric , #3

No to all.  In the NBA you almost always want to get the best player in any deal to win the deal.  In the Celtics situation (ton of great depth but lacking in absolute top-end star quality) you definitely want to get the best player in any deal you make.  The closest is probably Jokic, but I think Fultz has more upside due to age, having a complete rookie deal to come, and being a plus athlete for his position in addition to his skill level.

[kozlodoev]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

To me, the only trade you listen to is if the Pelicans decide that they'd like to swap Davis for #1, Bradley (or alternatively Crowder+Mickey), Rozier, Zeller, and a bunch of other picks.

I think there's about zero chance that this will happen though.

[jpotter33]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

Simmons and porzingis trades are unrealistic

Why would they?  If knicks trade porzingis...they are weak upfront

76ers are not desperate enough for Fultz ...have #3 pick and could get their pg "fix" with either fox, monk , ball etc

The Knicks have much more talent in the frontcourt than in the backcourt, which they're virtually barren in. They have Hernangomez, Kuzminskas, Melo, etc. in the front court and what, Ron Baker in the backcourt?

As for the 76ers, they should be. No matter what BS they're pushing out, Simmons is NOT a point guard. He's a point forward just like Lebron and Giannis. If they miss out on Fultz or Ball, then they're going down quite a few levels to fill that position. A Fultz, AB (extended once traded), Covington, Saric, and Embiid lineup is much more balanced and effective long-term than a mismatched lineup of Embiid, Saric, Simmons, Covington, and whoever they pick at 3.

[Rosco917]

This draft is considered a very strong, deep draft. I can see Danny trading down, getting a player we need, and a high draft pick all in the same deal. It's so Danny.

That said, I'd hate to loose a Fultz type of player, and have him turn into a major NBA star in a few years.

[Moranis]

Ainge MUST listen to offers and even show he's entertaining and listening to them. I don't think he's trading the pick (and I wouldn't), but then a team can go crazy and make a godfather offer.

You never know. A responsible FO must be opened to any possible outcome and sholuldn't say "this is untradeable".

If this was Durant, Davis, Towns...do you still think he would listen to offers?

I dont think Ainge thinks Fultz is a transcendent talent..

Brian Scalabrine has said for months that the Celtics FO are obsessed with Fultz and he's going to be the pick.

I agree with this. And I think if you've watched the NBA long enough you realize that we've never really seen a scorer like Fultz in quite some time.
He scores from everywhere on the court and hits tough shot after tough shot. Shots that guys like Kobe, Pierce and TMac used to hit with ease from the mid range. Kevin Durant and Curry/Thompson are similar.

When was the last time we saw a college player who can score in the pick and roll like Fultz AND shoot the 3 at 40%+ ?
When was the last time we saw a guy with the 3 pt game of Bradley Beal, the mid range game of Evan Turner/DeMart DeRozan and the pick and roll scoring ability like Derrick Rose or DeRozan?

His only real glaring weakness is free throw shooting on the offensive end.

His D needs some work, but when you see his story, listen to him talk and see how humble and competitive he is, you don't worry about his D because he has the physical tools to be an excellent defender, and the mindset to improve.

He's just an 18 year old kid who's never had to play any defense because he was just told to score all game.

I wouldn't trade this pick for anything but a top 5 player.

he plays for the Cavs and like Irving, Fultz is questionable defensively

[Boris Badenov]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

Simmons and porzingis trades are unrealistic

Why would they?  If knicks trade porzingis...they are weak upfront

76ers are not desperate enough for Fultz ...have #3 pick and could get their pg "fix" with either fox, monk , ball etc

The Knicks have much more talent in the frontcourt than in the backcourt, which they're virtually barren in. They have Hernangomez, Kuzminskas, Melo, etc. in the front court and what, Ron Baker in the backcourt?

As for the 76ers, they should be. No matter what BS they're pushing out, Simmons is NOT a point guard. He's a point forward just like Lebron and Giannis. If they miss out on Fultz or Ball, then they're going down quite a few levels to fill that position. A Fultz, AB (extended once traded), Covington, Saric, and Embiid lineup is much more balanced and effective long-term than a mismatched lineup of Embiid, Saric, Simmons, Covington, and whoever they pick at 3.

I've been reading chatter about Fox rising. Maybe Philly will be happy with him.

Honestly, if there are trades at the top of this draft I think they will be in the 2-5 range. Ball/Fox/Tatum/Jackson all could appeal very differently to different teams, and those teams might perceive very different needs. It's not hard to imagine a #3/#4 swap or #2/#5 or something along those lines.

[Smokeeye123]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

Simmons and porzingis trades are unrealistic

Why would they?  If knicks trade porzingis...they are weak upfront

76ers are not desperate enough for Fultz ...have #3 pick and could get their pg "fix" with either fox, monk , ball etc

The Knicks need to tank at least another 2 years anyways. If Porzingis has soured on the losing culture then it might be best to trade him

[Tr1boy]

I'd be willing to trade the pick, but only for a younger All-Star level frontcourt player, or at least the potential to be, with signicant contract control left still. To me, that means: Davis, Towns, Giannis, Simmons plus other assets, or Porzingis plus other assets.

Obviously, those first three are unrealistic, but I'd be willing to do something like either of these trades:

Simmons (as long as he comes back healthy) + #3 for Bradley, the rights to Yab, and #1;

Porzingis, O'Quinn, and #8 for Crowder and #1.

If not, I'm glad to keep Fultz and build around him and Brown.

Simmons and porzingis trades are unrealistic

Why would they?  If knicks trade porzingis...they are weak upfront

76ers are not desperate enough for Fultz ...have #3 pick and could get their pg "fix" with either fox, monk , ball etc

The Knicks need to tank at least another 2 years anyways. If Porzingis has soured on the losing culture then it might be best to trade him

You know its Melo who has done that...

[hwangjini_1]

Yes or no...

#1 for Jamal Murray, Hernangomez 2017 1st and 2019 1st

#1 for Jokic

#1 for Parker, Brogdon, 2019 1st

#1 for Saric , #3

has not this board, time and time again, lamented how the celtics have so many "nice players" but lack a true talent/all star? a common comment is how the celtics have "quantity but not quality"?

so now i see so many proposals that result in a "quality for quantity" result. do the celtics need additional players who are good? not really, they have that already.

the celtics needs a great player to move further in the playoffs, and fultz may be that player.

ainge will draft him i believe.

[Diggles]

I agree....

For me all college players are just college players.   #1 normally pans out.  But we have seen some big swing and a miss.  Its a win now league.   if that #1 can land me a young all star that fits a need I would have a hard time saying no.....unless they want to clean our roster as well.  But if I can get a number #3 and some young proven NBA talent I would also have a hard time saying no.....

I like Jackson and Tatum.   I also think these three Phil Players would fill a need.  And give us Cap flexibility at the dead line along with Nets 1st to swing a deal for a star.......plus having really good young players on long term deals....

IT/Rozier/Smart
Bradley/Smart/Brown
Jae/Brown/Jackson or Tatum
AL/Saric/Holmes
Okafor/KO



#1 for #3 and

Okafor
Saric
Holmes

Phil Does this to get their big three:  Reminds me of Ray, Paul and KG


And What IF, WHAT IF...

Other teams want that #3 and we end up trading that again for more young talent.   LOL
Fultz        Scorer
Simmions Play maker
Embid      Post Defender / Score

[csfansince60s]

I agree....

..... But if I can get a number #3 and some young proven NBA talent I would also have a hard time saying no.....

I like Jackson and Tatum.   I also think these three Phil Players would fill a need.  And give us Cap flexibility at the dead line along with Nets 1st to swing a deal for a star.......plus having really good young players on long term deals....

IT/Rozier/Smart
Bradley/Smart/Brown
Jae/Brown/Jackson or Tatum
AL/Saric/Holmes
Okafor/KO



#1 for #3 and

Okafor
Saric
Holmes

Phil Does this to get their big three:  Reminds me of Ray, Paul and KG....

TP, but Fultz is TOO perfect for them, so I say ......


More.....Lakers '18 and Philly '18 too.

EDIT: That includes the in-conference tariff of having to see Markelle on the other side of the ball regularly for the next 15+ years.

Now that would be a haul!!!