Should Celtics Use Or Trade Their Lottery Pick?
BOSTON (CBS) -- With their dreams of signing a big-name free agent, or even acquiring one on the trade market, apparently diminishing, the Boston Celtics find themselves in a bit of a pickle.
The hopes of putting their rebuild into hyper drive by making a marquee move, like signing Kevin Durant and/or trading for DeMarcus Cousins, seem to be evaporating. The Thunder are a win away from the Western Conference Finals, making it likely Durant will stay put this offseason, and the Kings have already made it clear they won't be parting ways with their franchise center.
Things can certainly change in a hurry this summer, and Boston would look like a better option for free agents or be able to put together a more enticing trade package if Brooklyn's lottery pick ends up as a top two pick next week at the NBA Draft Lottery.
If they do land in the top two, should the Celtics keep it or trade the pick? Zolak & Bertrand both agree that trading it for a proven player is the best option, but they're both preparing themselves for Adam Silver to announce a Boston selection come June 23 -- no matter what selection the pick ends up being.
"They're going to use the pick. They're drafting a player," said a despondent Bertrand. "I feel like the Celtics and [Danny] Ainge are tempering expectations a bit, they are realizing the trades aren't really there for them and they'll have to go into the draft. I don't think this is what ownership has preferred, but here we go."
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"Get ready for them to pick one of these kids," said Zolak. "This is Plan B. Plan A kind of went right out the window."