So tonight is the NBA draft. Although the Celtics don’t hold a lottery pick, it’s said to be one of the deepest drafts in years. Also it’s a draft very deep with big men. So what’s Danny going to do?
Rumors are already out there that the Celtics are of the teams interested in trading for Jamal Crawford. He’s no Ray Allen from the Sonics on draft night but would fill the void with Allen’s all but guaranteed departure. But with Avery Bradly’s emergence last year is another guard really your priority? Personally I don’t think so but I’m not Danny.
Danny has had success in drafting later in the draft. Not so much with last year’s guys, but with the team being a veteran team they likely weren’t cracking the lineup last year.
Let’s review Danny’s late round success courtesy of Peter May over on ESPN Boston:
Ainge got Tony Allen and Delonte West with two lower picks in 2004. Kendrick Perkins was a late first-rounder. Rajon Rondo went 21st in 2006. Avery Bradley went 19th in 2010, and needed two years to make a dent due to injuries and the lockout.
Not a bad track record.
The team has four player under contract right now. Rondo, Pierce, Bradley, and JaJuan Johnson from last year’s draft. If the team wants to bring back Jeff Green, Garnett, and Brandon Bass that will all but eat up their $25 million in cap space they have. So getting players in the draft seems to be a good decision (assuming you’re getting all three players back). Fab Melo anyone?
We know Doc will be in NY with his son Austin who will surely be off the board by the time the Celtics pick. So if you have the pipe dream of Doc coaching his son, not gonna happen.
Personally I would like to see some of the Danny draft day trade magic. Remember he turned a roster of crap and the #5 pick into Ray Allen only to trade more crap on the roster to Minnesota a month later for KG. Sure the second of the two was a gimmee from old pal Kevin McHale but there has to be someone out there willing to make a deal.
We’ll know more after tonight’s draft is done. Then free agency kicks off on July 1st. So here’s hoping.
