Celtics 2016 NBA Draft Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding No. 3 Pick
After missing out on the chance to select LSU's Ben Simmons or Duke's Brandon Ingram, the Boston Celtics selected Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft despite fielding multiple trade requests.
Continue for updates.
Celtics Co-Owner Comments on Possible Trade
Thursday, June 23
"We did not sniff a trade today. It was a collection of rip-off attempts, and we laughed at them," said Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, via Adam Kaufman of NESN.
Sixers Reportedly Pitch Noel or Okafor for No. 3 Pick
Thursday, June 23
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Chad Ford, the Philadelphia 76ers and Celtics have discussed a trade that would send center Nerlens Noel to Boston in exchange for the No. 3 overall draft pick.
The deal would send Noel, the No. 24 and No. 26 picks and Robert Covington to the Celts in exchange for the No. 3 pick, per Stein.
Just minutes before the draft, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reported the two sides were engaging in trade discussions, adding the 76ers "really want" Providence guard Kris Dunn.
The Sixers would reportedly also be willing to include center Jahlil Okafor in the deal rather than Noel, per Stein and Ford.
Philly is already expected to take Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick, and adding No. 3 would allow it to select another young building block for a franchise that has been down and out for several years.
The 76ers have a ton of frontcourt depth with Noel, Okafor, the potential return of Joel Embiid from injury and Dario Saric's possible arrival from Europe.
They have other areas of need to address, and trading Noel or Okafor would allow them to do that.
As for the Celtics, centers Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller are restricted free agents and not locks to return, so picking up a talented, young center for the No. 3 pick is a move that could well appeal to them.
Celtics Rule Out Potential Selection
Thursday, June 23
The Boston Herald's Mark Murphy reported that Boston will not pick Dragan Bender with the No. 3 pick.
Celtics Not Yet Biting on Offers for No. 3 Pick
Thursday, June 23
While the Celtics have extensively shopped the No. 3 overall selection ahead of the draft, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that the team doesn't believe the offers it has received have been "reasonable."
With Simmons and Ingram expected to come off the board with the first two picks, Boston or any team that opts to trade for the third selection will have its pick of anyone else in the class.
Celtics Reportedly Leaning Toward Kris Dunn
Thursday, June 23
Should the Celtics be unable to trade the No. 3 overall pick, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that there is "significant traction" to the idea of Boston selecting Dunn.
Dunn is the two-time reigning Big East Player of the Year, and he is coming off a season that saw him average 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game for the Friars.
A strong case can be made for Dunn as the top player in the draft behind Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, but Boston already has plenty of backcourt depth with Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart.
Should Boston stay put and select Dunn, it may open the door for it to trade a guard for help on the wing or in the frontcourt.
Celtics Reportedly Dangling No. 3 Pick for Veterans
Wednesday, June 22
According to Stein, the Celtics offered the No. 3 overall selection in several different proposals for various veteran players.
Offers were reportedly made for Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler, Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward and Milwaukee Bucks forwards Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton. The Bulls, Jazz and Bucks have all been unwilling to deal those players, however.
Boston is in need of some wing scoring in order to supplement its strong backcourt comprised of Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, and all of the aforementioned players would fit the bill should those teams change their mind regarding their interest in the No. 3 pick.
Celtics Push to Trade No. 3, Eye Brown If Unable
Monday, June 13
A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN reported Monday that Boston is trying to trade the selection—either alone or in a package—for an impact player with NBA experience.
"[I'm] hearing that No. 3 pick overall is the one that they are really shopping, trying to be as aggressive as possible in trying to move that pick, because they want to get a difference-making, impact player right now," Blakely said. "And they believe using that No. 3 pick, and maybe some other players and/or picks, might be the best way to [make] that happen."
Blakely went on to say the Celtics are leaning toward drafting Cal forward Jaylen Brown if they're unable to find a suitor for the third overall pick. Brown may be a bit of a reach at No. 3, but Boston is sitting third in what most evaluators admit is a two-star draft.
Simmons and Ingram are widely expected to be the first two picks and are potential All-Stars in a class filled with question marks. The rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers hold the first two picks and are highly unlikely to trade those selections unless a team makes an unbelievable offer.
That leaves the Celtics in a bit of no man's land. They're not going to land the superstar they desperately need in this draft, but other teams may be hesitant to give fair value to acquire the pick. Philadelphia and Boston reporters have speculated about a potential No. 3-for-Jahlil Okafor swap, which may be the most logical potential outcome.
Okafor was the No. 3 pick last June and put together monster numbers as a rookie (17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game). But he had massive maturity issues off the floor, doesn't play defense and has an under-the-basket style that the NBA is moving away from. He's also 20 years old with All-Star potential and was one of the best rookies in what looks like a historically great class; from a talent standpoint, it'd be hard for Boston to say no.
The Sixers have a glut of big men on their roster and could use the No. 3 pick on a much-needed point guard after taking Simmons (or Ingram) at No. 1.
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