NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics Looking To Trade Up In NBA Draft

USA Today

The Boston Celtics are rebuilding. The storied NBA franchise may have made the playoffs this season and gave LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers tougher competition than expected in the first round, but they’re still a long way away from contending in the Eastern Conference once again.

With the Celtics stockpiling draft picks over the last few years, Boston is looking to build through the draft or make trades using those picks acquired. Heading into the 2015 NBA Draft, it appears the Celtics brass intend on making a deal using their two first-round picks to up, according to Gery Woelfel of JournalTimes.com:

It’s hardly a secret a slew of teams, including several lottery ones, are exploring potential trades. One team that is making a concerted effort to move into the lottery, league sources claim, is Boston. The Celtics are dangling their two No. 1 picks: Nos. 16 and 28.

Although the Celtics may be far from a title-contending team, the team has made some substantial moves as of late that have the franchise heading in the right direction. Along with drafting Marcus Smart and James Young, Boston was able to bring in players like Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder.

Veteran Evan Turner also seemed to turn his career around in Boston. Needless to say, with head coach Brad Stevens at the helm and Ainge making moves in the front office, the Celtics are in good position to get back on track sooner rather than later.

Acquiring a lottery pick in this year’s draft would further increase the odds of Boston bouncing back quickly. Adding another promising young player into the mix would be a big step in the right direction.