Poll: Who would Ainge have drafted #3 if Tatum were gone

[timpiker]

No to Jackson because he stiffed the interview.  There were a lot of rumors about Dennis Smith.

[KG Living Legend]

 More votes

[Fafnir]

I think LA would have taken Fultz if he was there, they just assumed that he was the number one pick.

[rondofan1255]

Josh Jackson

[Csfan1984]

Markkanen
 

[liam]

Ange already knew that the Sixers wanted Fultz and that The Lakers were definitely going to take ball. Everyone knew it. If the Lakers weren't  so locked into ball there might have been some chance they wouldn't get Tatum. I think that if Philly had stayed at 3 they would've still gotten Fultz. I think that Philly became obsessed with Fultz and also selling there fans the number one pick. It was one of the best trades in NBA history.

If trades are judged over time rather than at the moment, it may turn out to be a great heist, but if Fultz emerges as a great backcourt player  for the Sixers and the Sac pick ends up late lottery and not useful, then it could be viewed in posterity as a trade that helped both teams.  As far as the trade at the time it looked good for C’s but there were those who praised the Sixers for getting their perfect fit guard and the consensus top player and some protection on the pick.

If Fultz becomes a talent around the same as Tatum and he's a better positional fit then it's a trade that helped both teams. So I agree with that.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Jonathan Isaac.

[clevelandceltic]

Im not sure this was even a real option. Ainge made this trade late in the game and had to be sure of who Philly was interested in. I mean it was like the next day that Fultz to work out for them

[gouki88]

Jonathan Isaac.

Forgot about that guy. Really like his defence

[Tr1boy]

Nightmare scenario, where the Sixers shock Ainge, and draft Tatum. What would he do and who would we draft.

 Easy answer is Fultz, I'd like to think Danny was smart enough to avoid him though. Safe pick was Josh Jackson although he's a moron. In the brilliant pick was Markkanen.

 Mitchell was just not realistic as the third pick although he should have been.

The answer.... you really want to know?

Dennis Smith Jr.

Because Fultz would have likely gone #2 to Lakers then ...

and it would have been between Lonzo and Jackson.  Two players Danny was not going to draft

I doubt any other teams really loved  Lonzo or Jackson...so trading down would have not been an option

You are looking at a backcourt foursome then of  Rozier, Smart, Smith Jr. , Kyrie.  Any two could be on the court at the same time

Glad it didn't workout that way because Tatum is better than Smith Jr. , is taller and more versatile.  Don't get me wrong, Smith Jr. has a bright future ahead

Semis minute also would have gone up much higher especially with no Tatum.   

[SHAQATTACK]

Nightmare scenario, where the Sixers shock Ainge, and draft Tatum. What would he do and who would we draft.

 Easy answer is Fultz, I'd like to think Danny was smart enough to avoid him though. Safe pick was Josh Jackson although he's a moron. In the brilliant pick was Markkanen.

 Mitchell was just not realistic as the third pick although he should have been.

The answer.... you really want to know?

Dennis Smith Jr.

Because Fultz would have likely gone #2 to Lakers then ...

and it would have been between Lonzo and Jackson.  Two players Danny was not going to draft

I doubt any other teams really loved  Lonzo or Jackson...so trading down would have not been an option

You are looking at a backcourt foursome then of  Rozier, Smart, Smith Jr. , Kyrie.  Any two could be on the court at the same time

Glad it didn't workout that way because Tatum is better than Smith Jr. , is taller and more versatile.  Don't get me wrong, Smith Jr. has a bright future ahead

Semis minute also would have gone up much higher especially with no Tatum.

I think you are right

I think Fultz was always a ploy or bait to send out the wrong message on the Celtics true feelings .

Ball may have been out in frt too , even without an interview

[moiso]

No to Jackson because he stiffed the interview.  There were a lot of rumors about Dennis Smith.

Ainge never takes who the rumors lead us to believe he'd take.  I think it would have been Jackson.

[SparzWizard]

Philly picks Tatum, Lakers pick Fultz, Celtics pick Ball.

That's how it should have happened. Lakers don't have to listen to a crap what LaVar Ball says. They'd at the time take the best point-guard and stud in the draft.

[SparzWizard]

Nightmare scenario, where the Sixers shock Ainge, and draft Tatum. What would he do and who would we draft.

 Easy answer is Fultz, I'd like to think Danny was smart enough to avoid him though. Safe pick was Josh Jackson although he's a moron. In the brilliant pick was Markkanen.

 Mitchell was just not realistic as the third pick although he should have been.

The answer.... you really want to know?

Dennis Smith Jr.


You are looking at a backcourt foursome then of  Rozier, Smart, Smith Jr. , Kyrie.  Any two could be on the court at the same time

I don't think Ainge trades Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving if we drafted Smith Jr.

[mqtcelticsfan]

but if Fultz emerges as a great backcourt player 

Other than the hype train, what makes you think this is possible.   He could not even get his team to the NCAA tourney, ditto for Simmons?

I agree, Mitchell should be the answer with what we know now.

And as we all know, Ben Simmons does not appear to be a great backcourt player?