Uses for the Memphis Pick
So depending on whether or not the Grizzlies make the playoffs, the Celtics could be looking at another late lottery pick this season. I’ve seen people on Twitter complain because “of course the Kings were good when we had their pick, and now the Grizzlies are good when we get theirs; Danny’s so bad at making trades.” Well if that isn’t the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life. You expect a guy to know what team’s going to be good when? Who expected the Kings to be good last year? Who knew the Grizzlies could play at this level so soon? No one, that’s who. The fact that the Celtics, a team who would otherwise have a late first rounder and that’s it, even have a pick with potential to be in the lottery is great.
I’m not going to front and say I have even the slightest clue about the incoming draft class, but I can think of a few different ways the Celtics could use the pick. First off, there’s no chance Obi Toppin or Onyeka Okongwu fall to them in the late lottery, and unless the ping pong balls magically get us a top 3 pick, I feel like James Wiseman is pretty much out of the question as well.
I was chatting with @AdamTaylorNBA on Twitter recently, who mentioned the possibility of packaging Marcus Smart and the pick to move up. Personally, I love Marcus and think what he brings to the team is almost irreplaceable. However, maybe the Celtics could move the pick and a couple other assets. We have a plethora of young talent who can’t all get the playing time they deserve. Maybe a package of the Memphis pick, a late first rounder, and Carsen Edwards could move us up a few spots to land a real valuable piece. I feel like Carsen is the most valuable piece that I’d be willing to part with, but maybe it’s just because I love Smart so much.
Outside of moving up in the draft, there’s always the possibility of trading for another asset. Maybe a rebuilding team like the Pistons or Cavaliers would take a young asset and top 15 pick for a decent player to help our depth. I really like the way a guy like Christian Wood would fit on the Celtics, but I’m pretty sure Ainge tried to get him earlier this year and it failed. Then looking at Cleveland’s roster, a guy like Cedi Osman could really help out the Celtics’ shooting struggles off the bench. I know the Cavs like Osman a lot, but if the Celtics could offer draft capital I feel like a trade could be worked out. Other than that, there are also a few other teams like the Knicks who I could see being interested in a first rounder for win-now assets.
Lastly, and knowing Ainge the most realistic option, the Celtics could simply make the picks they have. Since we’re focusing on the Memphis pick, though, I did a tiny bit of research just to see who is projected to be available around that area. A guy like Precious Acuiwa could be a solid addition to the team, or maybe someone like Cole Anthony or Aaron Nesmith. I also am really intrigued by Saddiq Bey out of Villanova, but I don’t want to go into too much detail on the prospects. I’ll save that for another day. Overall, if we can find a guy to contribute right away with the Memphis pick, then I’m all for making the selection.
Out of those three options, as much as I want to win immediately and think the C’s can, if Ainge can get a guy he likes that can shoot the three ball I’m all for making the pick. I feel like our big man rotation is solid, and the Memphis pick should be used in some way to get more consistent shooting on the team. I plan on writing a more detailed analysis of all of the Celtics’ picks and the prospects I would want us to take at each position. Keep an eye out for that one in the coming days.
