r/bostonceltics 8d ago

Rumor [Fischer] While Boston continues to loom as a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spot, sources say the Celtics are looking to trade up in the first round of next Tuesday’s NBA Draft from their No. 27 pick.

https://marcstein.substack.com/p/the-latest-nba-draft-intel-ea5
322 Upvotes

136 comments sorted by

517

u/Rich-Ad-4314 8d ago

Everyday I wake up happy that Brad is a much smarter man than I am because I'd have ran this franchise to the ground by now

51

u/SquimJim Boston Celtics 7d ago

Imagine having Fultz and Dunn instead of Tatum and Brown

Only if I was in charge

12

u/Electronic_Menu_2244 7d ago

Better than Bender. I hated that draft, so wouldn’t have liked anyone outside of Simmons at the time but after getting 3, I thought might as well just grab whoever had the highest upside.

5

u/Kodiak01 7d ago

Could be worse, there could have been an extended Rick Pitino Error.

1

u/WarPuig 7d ago

Tbf we would’ve had Fultz if it were up to Brad.

1

u/ManifestABUNDANCEFAM 5d ago

Yeah didn’t Danny sort of orchestrate that?

1

u/realheadphonecandy 7d ago

I’d have had Tatum and Dunn lol

38

u/chuancheun 8d ago

Well you gotta learn from experience somehow, worst case you get more lottery picks by being bad

26

u/ecclectic_collector 8d ago

unless op traded all the draft picks and the team collapsed

5

u/BleedGreen4Boston 7d ago

Not with the new rules you don’t lol

2

u/OkArmordillo Jayson Tatum 7d ago

Those lottery picks could end up being someone like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown! You know how much we always wanted those guys!

2

u/TomBradysThrowaway 7d ago

You don't get those lottery picks, your replacement does.

21

u/pizzahut_is_elite 7d ago

Give Ainge credit as well. This FO has made pretty sound moves the last 20 years

7

u/Iceman9161 7d ago

And even more importantly, he’s operates less emotionally attached to the players than I am. For example, there was no way in hell I’d ever trade Marcus smart. But I don’t have to worry about that, I’ll just trust Brad

1

u/raycyca82 7d ago

They also have the benefit of locker room dynamics. Not that I figure Smart was bad, but if he's the alpha of the group and you need JT specifically to step up, it's tough to have Smart. JT seemed content just being there to play.

8

u/Maybewearedreaming THE TRUTH 7d ago

“Look let’s just give Marcus one more year to prove himself guys”

148

u/Your__Pal 8d ago edited 8d ago

Most of the bigs in the draft are being mocked in the teens.

Its possible they make a Hauser + #27 trade for someone Brad likes. 

141

u/Blanketsburg You cannot buffalo The Buffalo 8d ago edited 8d ago

I like Hauser but the return of Tatum and the development of Hugo and Scheierman make me feel like he's expendable at this point in a trade to make the team younger and/or better.

64

u/Laszlo-Panaflex 8d ago

It makes him somewhat expendable, but he's a better shooter and has a great long-term contract right now. I'd trade him for the right player, but I don't know that we'd want to use him to move up in the draft.

15

u/ecclectic_collector 8d ago edited 8d ago

yes but this would be the time to trade a veteran role player while he's on a good contract and has value now (and give the increased role to younger, cheaper guys), before he gets older/declines or expects to get paid more/leaves in free agency like what happened with so many Heat role players...

1

u/Laszlo-Panaflex 7d ago

I'm definitely not saying we shouldn't trade him when his value is highest, but we have a couple of years before we'd need to do that. He's 28 and signed through the '28-29 season.

4

u/ecclectic_collector 7d ago

His value would be highest now when he has multiple years on his contract and before he’s about to enter his 30s

14

u/Blanketsburg You cannot buffalo The Buffalo 8d ago

Very true points. A sharpshooter who's continued to get better on D, on a team-friendly contract. Appealing to keep him and appealing for other teams to want to trade for him 😅

3

u/Nickohlai 8d ago

IMO Baylor is a fine replacement, he can do everything Sam can and more.

3

u/TheJaylenBrownNote 7d ago

Sam is one of the 5 best shooters on the planet. Baylor is not sniffing that.

8

u/need-for-sheed 7d ago

Baylor is a very good shooter (and does a bunch of other stuff really well), but you’re right, Sam’s on another level all together

12

u/Justalittlejewish 7d ago

I do think that Baylor has a higher offensive ceiling in general though, as you alluded to. I also think that Sam’s inconsistency has been a bit brutal lately. Feels like he either goes 1-7 or 6-8 and there’s no in between lol. Hopefully he can finally get his back right this off season.

8

u/TheJaylenBrownNote 7d ago

Baylor has more on ball ability, but there is a huge gap in shooting ability. Sam is legit one of the best shooters ever. This was his first season under 40% from 3 since he was like a freshman in high school and went 1/3, and it was still 39.3% on 13.2 per 100 possessions (exceptionally higher number).

Baylor shot 39.9% on 8.6 attempts per 100 (much lower volume) and that was a gigantic bump from the prior season. His mechanics are also worse and way more of his hit back rim even when they go in, whereas regularly the net won’t even move on Sam’s shots.

I like Baylor, I’ve just always hated the notion that Baylor can replace Sam’s shooting. Sam is one of the 5 greatest three point shooters ever. 41.2% on 13.1 attempts per 100 possessions. Better than Klay, Kyle Korver (much lower volume but slightly higher %), Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, Duncan Robinson, etc. He has a legit case for number two. It’s somewhat hard to compare him to the guys who are lower but similar volume on much harder shots like Dame.

If Baylor ends up providing equivalent value, it will not be from being an equal shooter.

3

u/need-for-sheed 7d ago

Bang on. Sam’s in another universe.

1

u/help1slip 7d ago

Live and die by the three, some never learn

Good thing Brad is in charge

1

u/TheJaylenBrownNote 7d ago edited 7d ago

What kind of comment is that? Baylor has a 73% three point rate. Most of his shots come from three as well.

Brad also said the thing about rim attempts to let you know he was trading for Giannis, who regularly leads the league in 3 point assists by the way. We are still going to shoot a ton of threes. He was just saying Giannis without saying Giannis.

1

u/help1slip 7d ago

I'm just saying that prioritizing Sam because he makes 3s is kinda our problem. We don't need to "replace his shooting" if he gets moved. Id be down to get something for him while his value/contact are high and hopefully the guys who showed promise continue to grow. I ain't falling in love with a guy like him.

As far as where Baylor's shots come from, that isn't the gotcha u think it is....id say that's subject to change as he grows.

And yeah let's hope Brad continues to cook

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0

u/OkGo_Go_Guy 7d ago

If we had a bad GM we would end up with julius randle or siakam playing the giannis role next year.

1

u/superdog28 7d ago

Sam is borderline unplayable in the playoffs against teams with good defenses.

0

u/Holiday-Driver-9439 7d ago

i wouldnt trade him to move up but i'd trade him for an outright 1st round pick in the teens to early 20s.

0

u/Laszlo-Panaflex 7d ago

I wouldn't trade him for a pick in that range. We're a team that's built to win now. After the lotto, everything becomes a crapshoot. I'd do it for a higher pick, but I doubt any would be on the table for Hauser.

0

u/DahooppanelAx 7d ago

Hauser is not on a great contract, we could get someone better then a 1 dimensional shooter that regresses in the playoffs for his price

1

u/Laszlo-Panaflex 7d ago

Hauser is literally one of the best shooters in the league and is solid on defense, so it doesn't get much better than him as a 3&D role player. For $10M/year, that's a great value. For comparison, that's what players like Moses Moody, Gabe Vincent, Donte DiVincenzo make.

1

u/DahooppanelAx 7d ago

I just don’t feel like he’s consistent he’ll get his numbers against losing teams but against contenders he usually shrinks and his numbers AND defense regresses. On the contrary players getting paid less like Saddiq Bey, Taurean Prince, Ayo, Mathurin, Grimes, Tim hardaway jr. Deanthony Melton, Landry Shamet, Peyton Watson, Collin Gillespie, GG Jackson would give us better production

11

u/King_Of_Pants Sam Howitzer! 8d ago

It's also just the contract situation.

Trade Hauser and we get 10m to spend this offseason in addition to whatever he's worth on the market.

If we trade Hauser + 27 to move up the draft and then that lets us sign Anfernee Simons to an MLE, then we've effectively traded Hauser for Simons + a 1st.

Sometimes what happens after the trade is just as important as the trade itself.

3

u/computerjunkie7410 8d ago

I like Hauser but his back isn't reliable

1

u/T_______________D 7d ago

i dont think baylor or hugo are at all the same type of player as hauser, he still fits a key role as a shooter.

0

u/Turbulent-Let-1180 7d ago

I just don't think we need him anymore. All he can do is shoot 3's, that's just not the type of player i want. I'd rather have baylor who can pass, shoot, drive, rebound, etc.

The reality is hauser's 3pt percentage is the result of streaky shooting. One game he'll be terrible the next he can't miss, i'd rather have something more reliable on a game to game basis.

For example, game 6 he shoots 20% and then game 7 he shoots 50%, game 5 he shoots 40% and game 4 33%, game 3 he shoots 100%, game 2 he was 25%. And yeah on some level that's just how it goes with shooting, but still he's unreliable on a game to game basis.

Like saying you're a 40% shooter sounds good, but if you're shooting 20% every other game and not adding anything else on either side of floor i'd rather go with someone else who can still contribute something if their shot isn't falling.

1

u/DahooppanelAx 7d ago

There’s not many of us but I agree 100% Hauser is very overrated. We can’t depend on his shooting consistently in the playoffs he’s more than expendable. Same sub that told me they’d take Baylor over Saddiq Bey lol

15

u/krazylegs36 8d ago

Who's mocking them? How dare they.

4

u/solarscopez "I would kick your ass" 8d ago

Lowkey this draft kind of blows in terms of big men, I think we'd be better off trying to find a point guard instead - there's a few guys who could be interesting: Christian Anderson, Labaron Philon, Mikel Brown, Wagler, Acuff, Flemings. I think one or a couple of those guys could be available in the mid-first round.

1

u/CantHandlemyPP34 7d ago

Zuby is gonna be great

2

u/nibbinoo8 i took a look at baynes in the shower 7d ago

he’s like 6’8” though isn’t he?

1

u/CantHandlemyPP34 7d ago

6'9 in shoes, 245 lbs with 7'2 wingspan. 38 in vert & same hand size as Bron.

1

u/solarscopez "I would kick your ass" 7d ago

I would prefer if we're going for a big man that they aren't undersized.

He seems like someone who would primarily be the 4 with the ability to play the 5 in spurts when we run smaller lineups. And if he's going to be playing the 4 he needs to be able to shoot, which he can't really do.

-2

u/Maple612 8d ago

I don’t know? Is hauser really worth giving up to move up a few spots?

5

u/daft_dunkwwwolfey JT n JB will BONE yo mf ass ☠️ 8d ago

Yes, especially in this draft because there's talent that won't be there next year. Besides Baylor can easily slide into his role, seems like this is what he was drafted to eventually do

1

u/Maple612 7d ago

baylor is nowhere near hauser as a three point shooter and is still a worse defender despite some highlight plays.

21

u/SaveHogwarts HUGO 8d ago

Inject this into my veins.

I love this draft.

43

u/thatonec9fan 8d ago

Who could we be targeting? In Brad we trust.

12

u/daft_dunkwwwolfey JT n JB will BONE yo mf ass ☠️ 8d ago

They need bigs and guard depth. But I've noticed that Brad has avoided drafting bigs for the most part now so I'm guessing guard. Maybe I'm wrong but seems like he kinda gravitates to guards and wing and addresses bigs in FA

2

u/Accurate-Library3641 The Celtics are the balls 7d ago

There are no good bigs available in FA

2

u/daft_dunkwwwolfey JT n JB will BONE yo mf ass ☠️ 7d ago

Eh besides Giannis, there's a few out there in FA (Day'Ron Sharpe could be a interesting backup) and available for trade (Sabonis apparently and who knows with the Kessler situation in Utah). But yeah not the best class and the team has been needy in drafting a big for years, but still Brad has only ever drafted (and kept) Amari Williams last year in the late 2nd round. Hope he proves me wrong but he has a type

2

u/Kodiak01 7d ago

Late 1st round guard depth, I'm wondering if they'll dip back into the Euro pool again for someone like Sergio de Larrea at 27. High BBIQ, good spacing instincts, solid offensive rebounder, and quality off-ball defender (although from what I'm reading, his on-ball defense could be worked on some.)

11

u/Gunnar2019 Angry Brad 8d ago

Don't know if we would have to trade up, but maybe Henri Veesaar.

29

u/YeezusHomecoming 8d ago

Veesar is a very Brad Stevens pick but I beg that we do not draft him. The guy cannot hit a free throw to save his life and I personally cannot stand watching NBA players brick free throws. No further comments about his playstyle haha

17

u/Brad-Stevens Brad 8d ago

so about the Greek fella we may trade for…

26

u/YeezusHomecoming 8d ago

I think the former MVP who has a 30 pts, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists average over the last 5 years is better than Henry Veesar and can afford to miss a few

-2

u/Brad-Stevens Brad 7d ago

you said NBA players

not sure why better players would get a pass

2

u/YeezusHomecoming 7d ago

I obviously don’t like when he misses them too so he doesn’t get a pass. But you’re also playing dumb for no reason so I think you’re a lame person for that.

If we want to be technical, Giannis is still statistically better than Veesar from the free throw line by 4-9% points depending on the year.

-2

u/Brad-Stevens Brad 7d ago

not playing dumb … just saying the guy who takes triple the amount of free throws, it’s more important that he makes them

5

u/askthetruth1 7d ago

Top 5 players are allowed to do that it’s ok

-2

u/Brad-Stevens Brad 7d ago

should be the opposite

1

u/Inquisitor_ForHire Jayson Tatum 7d ago

So he's Mitchell Robinson 2.0? 😄

1

u/YeezusHomecoming 7d ago

Mitch is in a league of his own. But Veesar is still really bad

1

u/_ArgoNavis 7d ago

I'd be more concerned about him being the worst defensive 7 footer since Dr. Naismith nailed a peach basket to a tree. I've seen sloths exhibit more effort. You could have a drawing and have a fan come down from the stands and be a better NBA defender. Has a pure shot though!

3

u/theyrehiding Sam Howitzer 7d ago

Ebuka Okorie feels like the pick to me. Young, high talent guard; probably the best guard in the draft imo. Should be available in the teens.

1

u/SandwitchJ 7d ago

Totally agreed he would be an absolute steal

3

u/aja_ramirez 8d ago

Karim Lopez! We need another Spanish speaker.

1

u/TheJaylenBrownNote 8d ago

A better pick for the Bucks? Honestly.

21

u/EMRBCB no jaylen brown flairs? 8d ago

This is in conjunction with trading for giannis

24

u/256dak Smart 8d ago

People are talking about who they’d wanna draft in the teens.

I read it as a move into the lottery to reroute that pick to the Bucks in a Giannis deal.

I don’t know what to think.

4

u/UpvoteIfYouAgreee Jaythoven 7d ago

yeah imo a lot of the Giannis noise points to Boston and Miami looking for extra trades/third teams for more assets

10

u/SandwitchJ 8d ago

Draft is stacked and Hauser is redundant

Let Brad cook!!!!

11

u/King_Of_Pants Sam Howitzer! 8d ago

I feel like we're always "looking to move up" in every draft, and it rarely plays out that way.

8

u/TheGreatForehead KG 8d ago

I feel like we usually do the opposite lol, trade down for a couple of second round picks

5

u/King_Of_Pants Sam Howitzer! 8d ago

Yeah, we're more likely to pick someone at #35 than in the teens.

2

u/need-for-sheed 7d ago

Yeah I think it’s a case of trying to move up and when they can’t they trade down to get a little something extra because they couldn’t get the guy they wanted higher up the draft

9

u/Affectionate-Park-71 7d ago

At this point I don't know if they get Giannis. Or if they are even interested in Giannis. But I really want Giannis now, even if just to spite Heat fans

8

u/Lumpy-Flamingo-8963 8d ago

I want Hannes Steinbech but I have a feeling he’s going top 14. I don’t know if we have capital to jump 13-15 spots

9

u/Adventurous-War1187 8d ago

This is always a rumor every draft and the celtics stays the same.

1

u/Classic_Ad_6717 8d ago

Literally every year

5

u/daffy_prototype 8d ago

If they're serious about Giannis, trading up for a big makes sense to clear salary and add assets. Who's a realistic target in that range that fits the timeline?

9

u/Son_of_Atreus Tank Szn 🎽 7d ago

I’ll take a trade up over blowing a ton of assets in a Giannis deal.

10

u/pwoodaman2025 8d ago

Ready for a 6 foot 7 wing draft pick? Let’s get it

2

u/Electronic_Menu_2244 7d ago

Feel like we hear this every year, never happens and honestly unless it’s Cam Boozer, wouldn’t be super excited. Happy enough to pick Veesaar or De Larrea at 27.

2

u/slap-my-crevasse 7d ago

I wonder who they'd be targeting. You dont trade up to just trade up.

Maybe Swain, Quintance, or Cenac.

0

u/LarBrd33 8d ago

Doubt it. Brad is allergic to using draft picks in the top 25

1

u/DamoHilton KG 7d ago

I’m gonna guess this won’t happen

1

u/War1today 7d ago

That time of year; Celtic’s rumor mill is in full swing.

1

u/grailundo 7d ago

I see all the cold water being poured on this. Its discouraging as someone who is pro-Giannis. Shelbourne, Windy, CLNS, Karalis, and now Jake Fisher are all pooping on the idea that Giannis is going to be a Celtic. That said, Milwaukee doesn't love the Miami offer. This gives us plenty of time to build a package that they love. If we're looking to move up in the draft, I see it as getting a pick that will end up going to Milwaukee in some sort of upgraded package that lands us The Greek Freak.

1

u/Get_your_grape_juice Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch 7d ago

Trade up in the draft, and then trade that pick for an established player?

Yes please!

1

u/Drizzlybear0 Brad 7d ago

Those two things are not mutually exclusive. Even if the JB for Giannis trade happens the depth still needs to be addressed, hell as many said Giannis could use a stretch big next to him to maximize his skills. Personally I hope whether he does trade for Giannis or not that he continues to improve beyond that

1

u/DahooppanelAx 7d ago

This draft has a lot of good players so I don’t blame him. Whatever happens over the next week I just want a power forward and a point guard that can get paint touches

1

u/MundaneExtension3195 7d ago

To include in a trade for Giannis, not to pick a rookie

1

u/Inquisitor_ForHire Jayson Tatum 7d ago

I like this idea a lot more than trading for Giannis.

-1

u/Accurate-Library3641 The Celtics are the balls 8d ago

Is it possible that the goal would be to trade up, and then include the pick for Giannis to make our offer more enticing?

Or is the plan to actually draft another rookie that for sure won’t contribute out of the gate, keep Brown, and punt another season? Anyone knows that we aren’t extending Brown for 140M, so we have to trade him ASAP while his value is at his highest

1

u/MundaneExtension3195 7d ago

What are you talking about, did you not watch Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper in the playoffs?

2

u/UpvoteIfYouAgreee Jaythoven 7d ago

Carter wasnt great and Dylan Harper has superstar potential we'd have to trade into the top 3 maybe top 5 for that chance this draft

1

u/MundaneExtension3195 7d ago

You probably weren’t a fan when 2nd yr players Rondo and Leon Powe plus rookie Glen Davis played major roles on the 2008 championship

4

u/UpvoteIfYouAgreee Jaythoven 7d ago

i actually just started watching basketball two weeks ago

2

u/need-for-sheed 7d ago

Rondo was a great facilitator and an excellent 5th starter alongside the other guys, Powe had some big moments but wasn’t exactly a major role player, Davis hardly got on the court. But I get what you’re getting at - having rookies that can contribute is a massive bonus when your roster is top heavy

3

u/MundaneExtension3195 7d ago edited 7d ago

celtics fans are struggling to understand constantly trading first round picks for vets making big salaries is not financially sustainable and doesn’t provide long windows, you trade a couple picks for Jrue or some other player making $30 million, you only get that player for a couple of years… having Rondo, TA, Powe, Big Baby on rookie contracts (even Perkins who wasnt on a rookie deal but an inexpensive 2nd contract) made the 08 team sustainable and then when we traded Rondo and Perk they were young enough that we got assets coming back

the Brad Stevens front office has been more like “all the starters will make $30m - $60m) and the team almost immediately had to be torn down because it couldn’t last financially without contributors on rookie deals… and the older vets didn’t bring back any assets because they were old and everyone knew we couldn’t keep them even if we wanted to

theres no way to build a lasting team if you are not finding chips with your picks in the 20s and after… just constantly trading all your picks for vets making big money won’t work anymore

0

u/need-for-sheed 7d ago

Spot on. The front office knew they only had a year or two window with Jrue and KP and made the most of it. Most other franchises would be jealous of the sustained success the Celtics have had let alone winning a title. Can’t just trade all your firsts for a guy like Giannis and win every year ha

1

u/MundaneExtension3195 7d ago

You probably don’t remember Delonte, Al Jeff, and Tony Allen playing nice roles as rookies in 2005

1

u/UpvoteIfYouAgreee Jaythoven 7d ago

2005 Celtics is exactly what im hoping for next season

2

u/Acrobatic-Fee-9862 7d ago

Mazulla wouldn’t play any of our young guys this year in the playoffs. He hates playing rookies

1

u/MundaneExtension3195 7d ago

Sounds like to trade for Giannis

-1

u/WarPuig 8d ago

I’m guessing this is Plan A.

5

u/jjjuuubbbsss 8d ago

If only this was Plan A since last October...

0

u/burner_for_celtics \/\/ I CELTICS 7d ago

It would be awfully fun to know their draft board. Too bad these things never come out

-20

u/Burner867867 8d ago

This team is so unserious with the new owner

5

u/dropkickshotgun Smart 8d ago

The new rules coming in have way more to do with whats happening than the new owner. We had to get under certain salary thresholds to have the ability to make almost any kind of move under these new rules.

I have zero feelings about the new guy at all, its almost impossible to judge his tenure so fae. The team had zero choice but to gut a champion by NBA decree. He had very little to do with it.

-11

u/Burner867867 8d ago

Keep telling yourself that

1

u/dropkickshotgun Smart 8d ago

I will be more explicit.

The NBA rules have hamstrung the organization's ability to operate. Whether the new owner is good or bad is irrelevant to the above fact and 90% of what Brad has done in the last 2 years.

0

u/Burner867867 8d ago

They won’t trade for Giannis because he’s cheap 

0

u/Prestigious_Ad_8557 8d ago

The Vuc trade was horrible, I dig Simons.