This past week, the Boston Celtics were the winners of the NBA Draft Lottery and received the No.1 overall pick for the 2017 NBA Draft. They also have kicked off their attempt to make the NBA Finals by playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Game 1 didn’t go so well for Boston as the Cavaliers easily handled the number one-seeded Celtics 117-104 at TD Garden. Despite the fact that the Cavaliers had over a week’s rest, they manhandled the top seeded Celtics in their own building.
Some wonder if the Celtics will be another casualty in the way of the defending champions, who are now 9-0 in the postseason. After Wednesday night’s Game 1, Boston looked like a team who could get swept by Cleveland. If so, would that change things for the Celtics come June?
Some have wondered if the Celtics would consider trading that first pick in the draft. Up until now, they’re expected to take Markelle Fultz of Washington with the pick. But would a loss, much less a possible sweep, force Danny Ainge’s hand? Possibly.
The Celtics are in a win-now phase, but haven’t been able to get past LeBron James and the Cavs. Maybe the Celtics explore a deal for another superstar like Paul George from the Pacers? Or maybe Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls?
Or, if Ainge really wants to be bold, explore a trade for Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks. After all, Porzingis is frustrated with the team and the Knicks have taken trade calls on the Latvian star. As much as New York would hate seeing Porzingis play elsewhere, much less Boston, he’d help the Celtics.
So would Paul George and Jimmy Butler, who both were in the playoffs, but saw early exits. Going to Boston to play with Isaiah Thomas could help change things for them. As opposed to being second best in the East, a trade for a superstar could help them challenge Cleveland.
While the series is still early, if Boston watches their season end with ease from Cleveland, a trade might seem more plausible.
While Boston has set themselves up for a solid future, their current present is a great one. But does Boston want to continue to see their season end by LeBron and Cleveland? As is, it’ll likely continue.
With Fultz, it might not be enough to make the Celtics the better team in the Eastern Conference.
But a trade of the number one overall pick before the NBA Draft could change the Celtics fortunes. That trade might not be considered unless Boston sees their season go up in flames by Cleveland.