{"id":34042,"date":"2020-10-07T16:46:51","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T20:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=34042"},"modified":"2020-10-07T16:46:51","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T20:46:51","slug":"boston-celtics-move-up-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/10\/07\/boston-celtics-move-up-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Boston Celtics Should Package Picks to Move Up in Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boston Celtics<\/a> came within one series of the NBA Finals, losing to the Miami Heat<\/a> four games to two. With the team likely to run it back, the Celtics have some decisions to make regarding the 2020 NBA Draft. Boston owns the 14th, 26th, 30th, and 47th picks but roster spots are scarce.<\/p>\n

Jayson Tatum<\/a><\/strong>, Marcus Smart<\/a><\/strong>, Jaylen Brown<\/a><\/strong>, and Kemba Walker<\/a><\/strong> are all on long-term deals and comprise Boston’s core. Robert Williams<\/a>, Grant Williams,<\/a> and Romeo Langford<\/a> are highly thought of prospects on rookie-scale deals while Daniel Theis<\/a><\/strong> is likely to re-sign.<\/p>\n

Gordon Hayward<\/a><\/strong>‘s future is questionable given Tatum’s expected max extension in 2021. The 30-year-old is on the final year of his four-year, $128-million deal he inked in 2017. Its been a rough tenure in Boston as the forward has struggled mightily with injuries. If Hayward is dealt, he will bring back at least one or two players further decreasing the number of rosters spots.<\/p>\n

The Boston Celtics Should Use Picks to Move up the Draft Board<\/h2>\n

One way of solving Boston’s dilemma is to trade up the draft by packaging all the picks together. The 2020 class is one of the weakest since 2013 with no clear consensus number one overall pick. Draft boards from experts are all markedly different which speaks to how even these prospects are.<\/p>\n

The Celtics are in a strong position to compete for a championship for the foreseeable future. Rather than spreading its picks across the board, packaging them in a deal where they draft one player instead of three is ideal.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, here are two teams Boston should consider a draft trade with.<\/p>\n

The Golden State Warriors are Desperate for Cheap Wings<\/h3>\n

The Golden State Warriors<\/a> have the second pick in the NBA Draft. Traditionally, this pick holds a ton of value but there is a reluctance for clubs to select early. The fear of missing on a top-five pick is real and with scout boards all over the shop, teams are attempting to trade back. In Golden State’s case, they are trying to add depth to its wings.<\/p>\n

With a whopping $148-million payroll, it’s debatable whether this Warriors team can truly make any noise. Stephen Curry<\/a><\/strong>, Klay Thompson<\/a><\/strong>, Andrew Wiggins,<\/a><\/strong> and Draymond Green<\/a><\/strong> combine to make $129-million leaving virtually no room to upgrade.<\/p>\n

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GS Warriors Salary Cap<\/p>\n

Curry $40m
Thompson $35.3m
Wiggins $29.5m
Green $22.2m
Looney $4.8m
Poole $2m
Chriss $1.8m
Lee $1.7m
Bowman $1.5m
Paschall $1.5m
Mulder $1.5m
Smailagic $1.5m
Anderson $1.5m<\/p>\n

Salary: $148.9m
Tax Bill: $49.4m<\/p>\n

Tough situation to be in. pic.twitter.com\/wj4vmNp0Wi<\/a><\/p>\n

— Eagle Moneyball (@geola388) October 5, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n