Draft news and rumors

[freshnthehouse]

The rumors floating around are crazy. I love this time of year. All sorts of different scenarios to consider.

[FLCeltsFan]

Also seeing rumors that it may be [HASH]3 pick, and future draft picks in order to clear max cap space with no other salary coming back.

I wonder if the report on Draft XPress about Fultz looking like he was coasting at times, especially on defense that maybe has them worried.

I'm going to have to look up Jackson and Fox and see what they have to offer. If the Celtics don't take Fultz, I think he will be the most disappointed because he seems to really want to be a Celtic.

[FLCeltsFan]

ESPN's Zach Lowe and Marc Stein reported Friday evening that the Celtics and 76ers have held "serious talks" about a potential trade that would center around the top selection in next week's draft. According to Lowe, the current framework of the chats would involve "several picks and no players" heading to Boston for the No. 1 pick. The 76ers hold the third pick, which would presumably be involved in any deal.

After ESPN's report, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski added that talks are "far enough along" that Fultz could visit with the 76ers this weekend.

In addition to the extra draft capital a trade would land, swapping the first pick for the third pick would allow the Celtics to clear maximum cap space without surrendering any pieces on their current roster. In other words, they could chase Gordon Hayward or Blake Griffin without needing to deal either Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart, just by letting go of all their nonguaranteed contracts/free agents.

Jonathan Givony ✔ @draftexpress
Multiple sources have told me that Magic "is in love" with Fultz. May try to move up to [HASH]1, possibly with a Julius Randle + [HASH]2 pick offer.
Can't see any way Markelle Fultz doesn't go [HASH]1, despite all the smoke that is being put out there. Boston might take him to move him though.

Even with the additional financial flexibility and future draft picks a trade would bring, moving the No. 1 selection would be a huge risk for the Celtics. They can hold onto it and take Fultz, who everyone believes is headed for stardom, or they can get crazy. Danny Ainge might opt for the latter; he hasn't been wrong a lot lately, but this is a monster decision for the Celtics franchise.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2017/06/nba_draft_rumors_2017_josh_jac.html

Source: Kansas star Josh Jackson will hold private workout in Sacramento with the Sixers today. Will meet with Celtics in Boston days later
11:07 AM - 16 Jun 2017

Jackson reportedly canceled a workout with Boston earlier this week before auditioning for the Los Angeles Lakers, who own the No. 2 pick, for a second time. It's not clear why the Kansas product ditched that workout with the Celtics, but his tune toward the team might have changed after ESPN reported an anonymous GM considers Jackson the favorite at No. 1. Despite that GM's belief, Markelle Fultz is widely considered the frontrunner to land in that slot.

Ramona Shelburne ✔ @ramonashelburne
Lonzo has only spoken to/worked out for Lakers. I'm told he could still speak w/ teams *below* Lakers in lottery. But no plans to talk to Cs

So, apparently now Jackson will work out for the Celtics.  Lonzo still saying no to Celtics. 

[DERRENMATTS]

This is more fuel to the speculation of Markelle's character.

[DERRENMATTS]

Heard Magic Johnson likes Markelle. Wonder if he's going to get into the bidding mode? Can he outbid Philly?

[eja117]

As far as I can tell the 76ers own their own and the Lakers next year. The year after that they have their own and Sacramentos. I want them all. I will also send them some 2nd rounders.

[DERRENMATTS]

So this probably means Ainge does not feel Fultz is not a transcendent talent. Or maybe he has the talent, but not the makeup to be a superstar.

[eja117]

My understanding is if we pick 3rd we can keep Avery. That tells me either we could trade Avery (maybe for a pick) during the year or we could do a sign/trade where we could sign him for some other team for like 20 mill and trade him for a 15 mill player and a pick. So then we get the [HASH]3 pick this year (in a worst case scenario maybe that's Tatum) then 5 more top 10 picks in the next draft. Then sign a max free agent this year. Our team would be PACKED. Nobody's ever seen anything like that. Players wouldn't be able to demand max contracts really. Or we'd have all the young talent needed to find those max guys. They'd like winning.

[FLCeltsFan]

Dennis Smith Jr. working out for Boston Celtics this weekend, per source

According to the source, Smith has already landed in Boston and is scheduled to work out in front of the team Saturday. He has also auditioned for the Los Angeles Lakers, who own the No. 2 pick, the Orlando Magic, slated to draft sixth, and held a pro day attended by several other teams in the lottery.

Smith, viewed as one of the most explosive athletes in the draft, has even drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook in that sense. DraftExpress currently projects the point guard at No. 9 to the Dallas Mavericks, but Smith, who has great upside, could go earlier than that.

Spicing up the draft, Boston has held talks with the Philadelphia 76ers about trading the top pick. If they stay at No. 1, the Celtics are widely expected to select Markelle Fultz, but, if the team moves back a couple of spots in the lottery, a number of other prospects could be considered.

[DERRENMATTS]

I'd be stoked about Dennis Smith. We need a PG to take over for IT in a few years, and he could be it. I believe he's better at passing the ball than Fultz.

[DERRENMATTS]

Boy, this is going to be a rough 6 days leading up to the draft. I'll be checking Celtics site every 5 minutes for updates.

Are we stockpiling draft picks to trade them in for a big catch? And by big, I don't mean Jimmy Butler -- I mean Anthony Davis.

[eja117]

Jun 16, 2017 19:38:16 GMT -5 DERRENMATTS said:

Boy, this is going to be a rough 6 days leading up to the draft. I'll be checking Celtics site every 5 minutes for updates.

Are we stockpiling draft picks to trade them in for a big catch? And by big, I don't mean Jimmy Butler -- I mean Anthony Davis.

Anthony Davis. Good call. You get the top pick next year. You trade two more likely top 10 picks. You pair him with J Jackson, G Hayward, IT, Smart, Horford, Jaylen....good luck beating that folks.

[DERRENMATTS]

How's this thought -- we get Philly's [HASH]3 plus other really good assets (like future draft picks), and we turn right around and trade the [HASH]3 to Sacramento for their [HASH]5 and [HASH]10 and whatever else they'll offer us.

Sacramento really likes Fox, and it's being said that maybe Phoenix at 4 might take him. So if Sac wants Fox, they'll need to get up to 3.

[eja117]

Jun 16, 2017 19:51:40 GMT -5 DERRENMATTS said:

How's this thought -- we get Philly's [HASH]3 plus other really good assets (like future draft picks), and we turn right around and trade the [HASH]3 to Sacramento for their [HASH]5 and [HASH]10 and whatever else they'll offer us.

Sacramento really likes Fox, and it's being said that maybe Phoenix at 4 might take him. So if Sac wants Fox, they'll need to get up to 3.

Love it.

We would still get Tatum in that scenario. Then add in someone that falls to us like Markenen or Frank N or possibly even a faller like Monk or something.