Celtics Rumors: BOS 'Searching for Trade Pathways' into Top 3 of 2020 NBA Draft
The Boston Celtics may be looking to swap quantity for quality in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft.
According to the New York Times' Marc Stein, the Celtics "keep searching for trade pathways to get into the top three." Boston has three first-rounders: Nos. 14, 26 and 30.
The Celtics are coming off a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, and their roster is set for the most part. Finding playing time for three incoming first-round picks wouldn't be easy, and none of those players are likely to drastically improve the team.
Packaging those selections to move up is the logical step if general manager Danny Ainge can make it happen.
Gordon Hayward is the wild card on the Celtics roster.
Hayward has a $34.2 million player option for 2020-21. ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Zach Lowe reported he and Boston agreed to move the deadline for him to opt in from Tuesday to Thursday. According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the Atlanta Hawks are "in play" to get the 2017 All-Star, either through a sign-and-trade or free agency.
Hayward averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 2019-20 and started to look like the player he was before his gruesome ankle injury in 2017. His departure would leave a clear opening in Boston's rotation.
Getting into the top three might allow Ainge to add a wing who can immediately slot into the team and make an impact that closely replicates Hayward's production.
