Mannix On Toucher & Rich: Will Celtics Use Third Pick On Thursday Night?
BOSTON (CBS) -- Danny Ainge did the most Danny Ainge thing ever, trading away the top overall pick in Thursday night's draft to move down to No. 3 while also acquiring another future first rounder.
While just about everyone sees Markelle Fultz as the clear-cut No. 1 this year, Ainge was obviously not as sold on the Washington point guard. Chris Mannix of CSNNE and The Vertical joined Toucher & Rich on Tuesday morning to discuss the trade, and isn't a very big fan of Ainge's bold move.
"Ainge is paid to judge talent and clearly they have a different opinion [on Fultz]. But I cant help but think there's a real possibility that Boston just moved off one of the next great guards to play in the NBA," said Mannix.
If Ainge's goal was to gather even more assets for an even bigger trade for a proven talent, Mannix adds that Markelle Fultz the player is a much better trade asset than a future protected pick. He's also heard no indication that New Orleans is going to entertain offers on super star Anthony Davis, so green teamers can get that fantasy out of their minds.
Mannix said it's possible that Ainge could trade down even further when the picks start coming off of the board on Thursday night, but doesn't think it's likely. He believes Ainge will make the pick, and is leaning toward Duke forward Jayson Tatum (who worked out for the Celtics on Monday) over Kansas forward Josh Jackson.
Read: Jayson Tatum's Draft Profile
"We hear Josh Jackson is maybe the guy, but I think they lean a little more toward Tatum. He's a very interesting prospect, he reminds me of a younger version of Carmelo Anthony. I say that very complimentary, because of what Carmelo was as a scorer that one year at Syracuse. I see a little of that in Tatum," said Mannix. "I think he's more NBA ready than Josh Jackson; both of these guys have flaws and neither one is a great shooter. That's not something you want from a young player right away, but I think Tatum might have a little bit of an edge for Boston right now."
While things may be a bit of a mess in Cleveland following the team's surprising ousting of GM David Griffin, Mannix said the Celtics should still be focused on the future rather than making moves to "win now."
"I still don't think I would make moves in the short term just because Cleveland is a little more vulnerable, because Golden State isn't. What is the benefit of becoming the Buffalo Bills of the NBA? You still have to get passed Golden State to win a championship and they are years away, maybe longer, from having any kind of weakness," he said. "Boston needs to continue to do what they look like they're doing, which is draft smart and make some savvy signings."
Listen to Toucher & Rich's full interview with Mannix above!
