[Scott42444Participant]

I have seen this posted in so many places and I just don’t quite understand it.  Obviously, most experts view the "Top Tier" or "Tier 1" of this draft as a group of 3 consisting of Wiggins, Parker, and Embiid.  That might actually be a duo, depending on the health of Embiid’s back. Now, I have seen quite a few people claim that the Celtics are planning on trading their pick if they don’t get into that "Top Tier".  First of all, I don’t really understand that.  I think Dante Exum (at 3 or 4) or Marcus Smart would be a great fit for the Celtics.  Especially since Rondo will (IMHO) be traded either this off-season or by the deadline.  Heck, even with Kelly O and Sully in the post, I think Vonleh or Randle would be at the VERY least great assets for the future.  But, the point remains, that I have seen quite a few people state that they believe the Celtics will trade down in the draft if they don’t get in the top 3. 

My question is, really, what a realistic expectation for the #5 pick in this draft would be.  I used to have a decent idea on what a pick was worth based on the individual draft, but this past year 1st rounders have been treated like they are INSTANT all-star cards to trade in.  Phoenix was unwilling to trade the 1st rounder they recieved from the Pacers, which is near the end of the 1st round, for a little post help to help with a potential playoff push.  Keep in mind, the Suns have a few draft picks in the 1st round already this year.  Also, players like Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes were traded for 2nd rounders, not even 1sts.  Yes, those two players are not all-star caliber players (and an argument could be used to say that the teams acquiring them actually made their teams worse through either chemistry or draft positioning) AND those players have expiring contracts.  But, they are also legitimate NBA talents that could have made a difference to teams that needed a boost.

Are the Celtics looking to trade down, like to Chicago, for the 16 and 19 picks in the 1st in order to get MORE assets moving forward?  Do they believe they could get a young all-star (similar to the Pelicans and Jrue Holiday) caliber player for the pick?  I just don’t know how to properly judge the value of draft picks.  I read recently, before Larry Coon published his calculations that there will be a $5 million dollar (likely) increase in the salary cap next year that Chicago would most likely have to move Dunleavy and BOTH 1st rounders in order to make room to give Carmelo Anthony a $17 million dollar contract.  That sounds like they would be just trading the picks away, while other teams are looking at the 2014 draft as being franchise changing.

 

 

  

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Draft Day just became more intense and interesting!

4-6 range I would keep the pick and take Exum over everyone.  If they acquire more picks in the first it may become a headache later on down the line, because of the guaranteed money on top of the pressure of retaining the players before Free Agency comes about.

Ainge really has his work cut out for him come June. 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Draft Day just became more intense and interesting!

4-6 range I would keep the pick and take Exum over everyone.  If they acquire more picks in the first it may become a headache later on down the line, because of the guaranteed money on top of the pressure of retaining the players before Free Agency comes about.

Ainge really has his work cut out for him come June. 

[Ebown5Participant]

 As a Sixers fan I would love to trade up with the Celtics if they are at 5 or 6.

Imagine that the Celtics are at 5 or 6 and Parker, Wiggins, Embiid and Exum are all gone. Would they trade their pick and Gerald Wallace for Thaddeus Young and number 10?

I would do that in a second to select Julius Randle. At 10 there are still a ton of terrific prospects available and Young is certainly a much better value than Wallace is at this point.

[Ebown5Participant]

 As a Sixers fan I would love to trade up with the Celtics if they are at 5 or 6.

Imagine that the Celtics are at 5 or 6 and Parker, Wiggins, Embiid and Exum are all gone. Would they trade their pick and Gerald Wallace for Thaddeus Young and number 10?

I would do that in a second to select Julius Randle. At 10 there are still a ton of terrific prospects available and Young is certainly a much better value than Wallace is at this point.

[HomerKangParticipant]

Yo, if that’s available,  I would do that in a heartbeat !  You’d get rid of Young, and basically end up with Parker and Randle,  or Wiggins and Randle, or Embiid and Smart….ah, the possibilities, the possibilities !!!

[HomerKangParticipant]

Yo, if that’s available,  I would do that in a heartbeat !  You’d get rid of Young, and basically end up with Parker and Randle,  or Wiggins and Randle, or Embiid and Smart….ah, the possibilities, the possibilities !!!

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Or, if the bulls want Melo and have to dump their picks, we could do that for our second rounders, giving us 4 picks in the top 20!

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Or, if the bulls want Melo and have to dump their picks, we could do that for our second rounders, giving us 4 picks in the top 20!

[NardDog NationParticipant]

 This could just be posturing by the Celtics. By listening to offers for the pick, they give other  teams the access to inquire about other assets. It’d be the best way to guage their players trade value without actually putting them on the block or having pesky rumors (since the pick outshines everyone but Rondo on that roster).

[NardDog NationParticipant]

 This could just be posturing by the Celtics. By listening to offers for the pick, they give other  teams the access to inquire about other assets. It’d be the best way to guage their players trade value without actually putting them on the block or having pesky rumors (since the pick outshines everyone but Rondo on that roster).

[festar35Participant]

Boston trading down doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. They are in a situation where they should take the best player available, even if they get 4,5 or 6 they could take Exum or Smart.

In saying that I think they need a defensive big to put with Olynyk as Sullinger and him don’t play enough defensive to really last as a front court duo.

Vonleh has great tools to be a two way player at PF to put next to Olynyk so that is another option.

[festar35Participant]

Boston trading down doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. They are in a situation where they should take the best player available, even if they get 4,5 or 6 they could take Exum or Smart.

In saying that I think they need a defensive big to put with Olynyk as Sullinger and him don’t play enough defensive to really last as a front court duo.

Vonleh has great tools to be a two way player at PF to put next to Olynyk so that is another option.

[Author]

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