NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics’ Reluctance To Include Brooklyn Nets’ Pick Holding Up Potential Blake Griffin Or Russell Westbrook Trades
The Boston Celtics want to acquire a major NBA star in a trade in the worst way. Armed with plenty of trading chips (draft picks and young talent), the Celtics are in the position to make just about any deal they choose. There is one large caveat — the draft pick which the Celtics would receive from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Boston Celtics own the right to swap draft slots with the Brooklyn Nets because of a trade that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn several seasons ago.
It was one of the most lopsided trades in the NBA in the last 25 years. Boston was able to obtain the Nets’ top draft pick this past draft. The Celtics ended up with the No. 3 pick. They chose California forward Jaylen Brown with the pick they received from the Nets. Brooklyn was not a good team last season, and they are expected to struggle this next season also.
This has led to the Celtics becoming reluctant to use the Nets’ pick in any trade for a star player.
Los Angeles Clippers‘ all-star forward Blake Griffin is the current object of affection for the Celtics. According to NESN, the holdup to a potential deal for Griffin is the Celtics’ refusal to part ways (via Sean Devaney of the Sporting News) with the Brooklyn Nets’ pick.
Here is what Sean Devaney had to say about the proposed Celtics and Clippers trade.
The Celtics would give up some number of their upcoming draft picks, but opposing front-office members say they don’t want to give up either Brooklyn pick Boston can own in the next two years.”
Boston’s interest in Blake Griffin become public in the past few days. The Boston Herald has recently confirmed that the Celtics are interested in acquiring either Griffin or Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook in a trade. But if the Celtics are serious about adding one or the other, they may have to relinquish their coveted draft pick.
On one hand the Celtics not wanting to trade the pick. It can honestly become the No. 1 pick in the draft. That could translate into a star player on a rookie deal. In so many ways, that is a jackpot scenario for the Celtics. And from a business standpoint, it would look terrible trading away the potential top pick for a player that can leave once the season is over. Both Griffin and Westbrook are free agents at the end of the year.
There are whispers about Russell Westbrook or Blake Griffin getting traded to Boston. Should you believe them? https://t.co/4NbqU3V6K6
— SB Nation NBA ? (@SBNationNBA) July 14, 2016
That can cripple a franchise, which is something the Celtics know from their trade with the Nets. They won that trade hands down.
Rival teams will not want to be on the losing end of a trade with the Boston Celtics. This is why including the Nets’ pick is the only way something will happen with either Blake Griffin or Russell Westbrook.
Realistically, the Celtics will have to get a bit more creative if they want to add a star player like Griffin or Westbrook. One solution would be to offer a package with either the Clippers or Thunder choosing from any draft pick except the Nets’ choice.
Understanding that they are in the position of strength, the Celtics need not consummate a deal in haste. In the next few weeks the NBA rumors will continue swirl, and we will all see that nothing has taken place between the Boston Celtics and any other team. Chances are that every team will insist on the Boston Celtics including the Brooklyn Nets’ pick in any trade.
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