Is Ainge trading 1st pick because of the guard log jam?

[RodyTur10]

We all have heard these rumours, but forgotten about them because of the excitement for Fultz.

It has often been said that the Celtics would be interested in trading the Brooklyn pick, because the draft was so guard heavy and they already had enough guards as it were.

Does Danny Ainge really feel this way? He has an all-NBA point guard with Thomas, who is the face of the franchise and we know he loves the character of guys like Bradley and Smart.

So is this the main reason, apart from that he loves another prospect (probably Jackson)?

[PhoSita]

Trading away the #1 pick because you have Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley already on the roster would be insane.

Ainge seems too smart for that.  I hope.

[KGBirdBias]

We need rebounding, wing scorers and rim protection...no more guards.

[PhoSita]

We need rebounding, wing scorers and rim protection...no more guards.

We need more top talent, I don't care what position.

Position is not a worthy consideration in this analysis.

[mr. dee]

Or maybe he's just trying to get much value from it. I don't believe Fultz is on the talent level of MJ, Shaq or Duncan like people imply.

[PhoSita]

Or maybe he's just trying to get much value from it. I don't believe Fultz is on the talent level of MJ, Shaq or Duncan like people imply.

Probably not, but how does he compare to the other guys in this draft?

Fultz to me is a clear cut above Jackson, Tatum, etc.  Ball might be on the same level but he presents a greater risk.

[Dchuck]

Guard logjam?  How about a SF logjam!  Brown, Crowder, possibly Hayward and now Jackson!  One guard can consistently score....ONE!!  We need more production from the guard position!  Not the scrappy dirt dog crew we have!

[mr. dee]

Or maybe he's just trying to get much value from it. I don't believe Fultz is on the talent level of MJ, Shaq or Duncan like people imply.

Probably not, but how does he compare to the other guys in this draft?

Fultz to me is a clear cut above Jackson, Tatum, etc.  Ball might be on the same level but he presents a greater risk.

Like Ingram is much better than Brown? Exum over Smart?

[fairweatherfan]

Guard logjam?  How about a SF logjam!  Brown, Crowder, possibly Hayward and now Jackson!  One guard can consistently score....ONE!!  We need more production from the guard position!  Not the scrappy dirt dog crew we have!

You listed all of two players that we actually have. Guards have basically four plus whatever Jackson turns into, and there's a nice clear pecking order there that Fultz would disrupt while we figure out how good he'll be and his role that season and long-term.

But a good organization should be confident in its ability to make that kind of situation work for a year, Fultz doesn't seem like a character issue and we already know the kind of guys that are here. It might be some kind of secondary consideration but it seems really unlikely to be the most important thing. Might be different if we had a legit big in mind where there's a bigger roster hole.

On the other hand, I said this morning I didn't think we had any plans to trade the pick and welp 

[Celtics4ever]

I think Ainge is evaluating all his options.     If he likes Fultz he can take him.   If he doesn't he can trade down and get an asset and get the guy he wants.   I think most teams that move a star would want that number one pick.   So he is playing them off of each other and see who gives the best offer.    It should make most GMs shudder.

[Dchuck]

Pecking order?

Who cares about a pecking order or how many guards we have if none of them can consistently contribute offensively. 

We do have Jaylen and Crowder who cannot consistently score or have reliable jump shots. 

So let's not take the best offensive player and arguably consensus #1 pick, because we have a bunch of bench guards?  While adding another wing who can't shoot?

[fairweatherfan]

Pecking order?

Who cares about a pecking order or how many guards we have if none of them can consistently contribute offensively. 

We do have Jaylen and Crowder who cannot consistently score or have reliable jump shots. 

So let's not take the best offensive player and arguably consensus #1 pick, because we have a bunch of bench guards?  While adding another wing who can't shoot?

I'm saying there's a valid argument that a guard log jam is a factor in MAYBE trading down, because we do have much more of a jam there than Jackson's position. But it's not a very strong one or one that should be the major reason IF we trade down. And I'm back-and-forth on whether we should be willing to trade down or not in the first place.

[mctyson]

Or maybe he's just trying to get much value from it. I don't believe Fultz is on the talent level of MJ, Shaq or Duncan like people imply.

He's not, and you are correct.  Ainge is pushing PHI who badly need a guard of some kind, in a guard heavy draft.