Right now, the Celtics lack a first round pick in this year’s NBA Draft. But that could change once the draft actually begins Thursday night.
Here are the moves Brad Stevens should make
Boston is interested in trading for the Warriors’ first round selection, reports Heavy.com. Golden State is slated to pick at No. 28 overall.
The Celtics dealt their first round selection to the Spurs in exchange for Derrick White at the trade deadline, leaving them with only a late second round pick (No. 53).
With the Warriors well over the luxury tax — they paid roughly $346 million combined for their roster last season in combined salary and luxury taxes — they could opt to bypass adding another rookie to the mix and focus on developing recent lottery picks James Wiseman, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga.
The Celtics have enjoyed success developing late first-round picks, such as Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard. With the bench in need of more scoring, they could target a veteran college player who would be ready to contribute right away. Heavy.com identifies two-way wing Christian Braun from Kansas and Gonzaga point guard Andrew Nembhard as possible options. Shot-blocking center Christian Koloko from Arizona could work, too, and serve as a true backup to Robert Williams III.
With the Celtics also over the luxury tax, adding a junior or senior from the college ranks might be one of the best ways for them to improve their bench. The Warriors, who exposed their lack of offensive depth in the NBA Finals, could help them do it.