The Domino Effect….
The Boston Celtics have made the first big move of the NBA offseason.
WOJ BOMB!!!!
I knew the Philadelphia 76ers were looking to add more elite prospects to their impressive core. What I didn’t know — before June 17th — is that Danny Ainge is the ballsiest General Manager in NBA history.
Ainge traded down to number three in a draft class that features Markelle Fultz, agreed upon by many as the consensus top player in this draft. Ainge received a 2018 Los Angeles Lakers first-rounder OR a Sacramento Kings first-rounder. This move is one that has led many to believe that it is simply a preliminary move to a bigger trade, mostly because of the protections on the picks. ESPN.com explained the protections on the picks as such:
The Celtics will receive at least one additional first-round pick in the deal, sources told ESPN. Sources say Philadelphia, on top of its №3 overall pick, is sending the 2018 first-round pick it owns via the Los Angeles Lakers, which the Sixers acquired from Phoenix at the 2015 trade deadline.
But if that Lakers pick doesn’t fall between №2 and №5 in the 2018 draft, sources say, Philadelphia will instead send a 2019 first-rounder to Boston that it acquired from the Sacramento Kings.
— ESPN.com news services
Basically, Ainge is really sure of himself. Generally speaking, you acquire assets to get surefire prospects. Ainge just traded a surefire prospect for more assets. By working backwards for a bit, he is showing his commitment to incumbent point guard Isaiah Thomas OR…hear me out…Ainge is preparing for a moment like this:
The Boston Celtics abundance of picks includes multiple first-round picks through the year 2021:
During last year’s NBA Draft, the “Butler to the Boston” chatter was at an all-time high. The Bulls rejected deals surrounding the no. 3 pick (which turned into Jaylen Brown). Chicago management is looking for multiple draft picks and a good player, which is fair given Butler’s development. There have been reports that two first-round picks wouldn’t be enough for Butler, and there have definitely been reports that the C’s-Bulls trade blew up over Jae Crowder.
Fast-forward to June 19th, 2017, and Ainge possibly has seven first round draft picks. Jae Crowder is coming off of 18 playoff games where he averaged 13 points per game, but was unable to provide his trademark defense against LeBron James. The biggest reason this trade is a real possibility is the fact that this trade gives Ainge enough assets present a deal that allows him to hold on the 2018 Brooklyn Nets draft pick that could be another number one.
The NBA is in what I like to call the “Arms Race” era, as every franchise is scrambling to find their “superteam scenario”, which theoretically still wouldn’t even get you past the Golden State Warriors or the Cleveland LeBrons.
That hope is enough for General Managers to give chase. So, I warn Bulls fans to keep their eyes glued to the NBA Draft on June 22nd.
The 2017 no. 3 pick, Jae Crowder, and the 2018 Lakers/2019 Sacramento pick for Jimmy Butler.
Who says no?
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