The Boston Celtics are striking fear into the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
The Celtics are one win away from the Eastern Conference finals, and also have a 25 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, courtesy of a 2013 trade with the Brooklyn Nets. And while Boston was content to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline, that has one rival executive very concerned.
1/2 Unnamed East Exec at the combine: "It shocked me how comfortable Danny (Ainge) was to hit the summer with the picks and cap space."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 15, 2017
2/2 Unnamed East Exec at the combine: "He (Ainge) has something ready to go and it scares the (expletive) out of me."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 15, 2017
The Celtics reportedly were interested in stars Jimmy Butler and Paul George at the deadline but were content to head into the offseason with a glut of talent and assets with which to make a deal.
Should Boston land the No. 1 pick during Tuesday night’s draft lottery, they will have their pick from a loaded class that includes Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson, Lonzo Ball and Jayson Tatum. They also could package that pick with some of their other assets to acquire a star like Butler or George to pair with All-Star Isaiah Thomas.
No matter what happens in Game 7 of their second-round series against the Washington Wizards, the Celtics have perfectly positioned themselves to be a force in the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
