Celtics Pursuing Second Overall Pick from Memphis

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Recent news has brought about, according writers in Memphis, that many teams are aiming to get the second overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. In this race have supposedly been Boston, Houston, and New York.

It would be more than likely that any trade involving the Celtics trading up to the pick would involve an established veteran being shipped to the Grizzlies in exchange.

Two questions immediately come to mind when seeing this news: What could the Celtics get with this pick, and what would they have to give up to the pick?

We already know that Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo have supposedly been on the block, but Allen surely isn't enough for the second pick. The problem with this trade is that Memphis is in lack of forwards and front-court play, while the only veteran play that Boston could offer is in the back court with the likes of Eddie House and Tony Allen.

One name that could possibly come up is Kendrick Perkins. Up until this year many Celtics management were upset with Perkins' lack of improvement. This year he came into his own and undoubtedly proved he deserved a starting spot on any roster. Since he is still in his youth, he could be a good prospect while recent shoulder injuries may leave many unconfident with his play.

If the Celtics do end up trading, they would likely have an open spot, whether it be at a guard spot (Allen) or a center spot (Perkins).

Now we know that the Celtics are going after many free agents, with names like Marcin Gortat, (Orlando) who impressed during the playoffs, or Tim Thomas (Chicago), the names seem to be big guys.

So that leaves us with one person who is really worth drafting so early at a guard spot. Could the name Ricky Rubio be of any familiarity? Rubio, who currently plays for DK Joventut of the Spanish league has been linked to many teams including Sacramento. The young kid has tons of skill and shows promise. While no word has come out of Celtics camps on workouts, the question lies in why the Celtics would aim at their biggest improvement of the offseason be an unproven rookie? 

This rumor is likely nothing more than that, the facts lie against it. The Celtics need a veteran, and there aren't many sharpshooters on the market so Allen isn't likely to go away, and neither would be any youth that the Celtics will need in the near future with Garnett and Pierce nearing the end.

James Moschella may be contacted at jcm718@gmail.com

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