The Boston Celtics currently hold the number 3 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, which will officially start in less than a month. However, according to a report from CSN New England, the team may be not be intending to use it and is instead planning to trade it for a crucial veteran player.
"I'm hearing that No. 3 pick overall is the one that they are really shopping," explaind reporter A. Sherrod Blakely, "trying to be as aggressive as possible in trying to move that pick, because they want to get a difference-making, impact player right now."
According to Blakely, the Celtics are particularly looking to trade the draft pick for Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls. He also lists down Kevin Durant yet there are so many other teams currently aiming to take Durant as well, lowering Durant as a Celtics' priority.
The report further explains that the Celtics will push forward as much as possible to get either player until they offiically decline the deal.
In a report from the Celtics Blog, it is stated that if the Celtics fail to reach a deal and trade their draft pick for a veteran player of their choice they will go ahead and pick someone up from the draft. The report points out that if they had to use their draft pick the Celtics would go for Jaylen Brown.
However, it is noted in a report from ESPN that the Celtics is not the only team hoping to pick up Butler from the Bulls. According to the report, the Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping to trade their number 5 draft pick for Jimmy Butler. Given how the Celtics have a higher trade pick it is likely that the Bulls would be more enticed with their deal.
Neither the Celtics nor the Bulls have made an official statement regarding their trade plans and draft choices.
