DETROIT – NBA Draft Week is upon us, and the rumor mill is in full overdrive ahead of Thursday night.
History will say the Boston Celtics passed on the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA draft, not only trading it away but doing so in a deal with one of the team's fiercest rivals.
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Danny Ainge isn't worried.
Philadelphia and Boston completed their trade of draft picks on Monday, the 76ers acquiring the No. 1 pick from the Celtics and netting the chance to draft Washington guard Markelle Fultz. The Celtics moved down two spots to No. 3 and picked up another first-round selection in either 2018 or 2019 - with Ainge saying the deal came at no cost to Boston whatsoever.
"We're getting the player we want. They're getting the player they want," said Ainge, the Celtics' president of basketball operations. "And we're getting an additional player that we want in next year's draft or the year after. It's a good deal for both teams."
The player Philadelphia wants is clear: The 76ers wouldn't say it Monday, but they're going to take Fultz barring something cataclysmic happening before Thursday.
"We felt like the move from 3 to 1 was worth the cost of a first-round pick in the future," 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said.
Next up will be the Los Angeles Lakers, expected to take UCLA guard Lonzo Ball.
And then come the Celtics, starting the real intrigue. If Ainge is to be believed, even they don't know who they will take at No. 3 - but he insisted that whichever choice they make there would have been the choice they made at No. 1 if this deal hadn't gone down. The Celtics had Duke's Jayson Tatum in for a workout on Monday and hope to have Kansas' Josh Jackson in on Tuesday.
"I think they're both terrific players," Ainge said. "I'll say that. ... I like both of those kids. I think they're both terrific talents."
So the way he looks at it, the deal is a win-win.
For now, Boston has seven first-round picks in the next three years.
And that means the Celtics could be gearing up for more moves soon.
Here are some other NBA Draft rumors from around the league:
Lakers looking to add another first-round draft pick, sources say: ESPN: Los Angeles currently holds the second and 28th picks in this year's draft. While there have been inquires on the No. 2 pick, sources said it remains unlikely the Lakers would trade out of that position.
Sam Amico reports the Pistons No. 12 pick might be in play for the Lakers. The Detroit Pistons are said to be looking to move their No. 12 overall pick, and sources have told Amico Hoops the Pistons and Lakers may have already connected.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, it is unlikely the Lakers trade out of the second overall selection, even though there have been inquiries about it.
ESPN's Chad Ford reported Monday that the Los Angeles Lakers are dangling guard D'Angelo Russell in order to land another top-12 pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Luke Kennard stock is rising: Sporting News: Scouts see Kennard projecting favorably as an offensive player, one who shot 49.0 percent as a sophomore, including 43.8 percent from the 3-point line. That will likely get him into the lottery.
Jimmy Butler to the Cavs? According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Cleveland Cavaliers are working on potential trade proposals. Cleveland would include Kevin Love in the trade and attempt to find a third team to provide the assets necessary to complete the deal.
Suns trying to acquire No. 2 pick from Lakers: ESPN: The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in trading down from the No. 2 spot, and the Phoenix Suns have emerged as the most likely trade partner, according to ESPN's Chad Ford:
The Lakers held internal discussions about trading back two spots to No. 4 if the Suns were to offer them a 2018 first-round pick. The Suns hold their own 2018 pick (which currently projects to be a high lottery pick) as well as the rights to the Miami Heat’s 2018 pick. The latter pick is top-seven-protected in 2018 but unprotected in 2019.
Lakers won't give Lonzo Ball guarantee: Shams Charania: Lakers front office and Lonzo Ball's agent, Harrison Gaines, remain in discussions, but no guarantees made yet for No. 2 pick.
Paul George and the Cleveland Cavaliers: Woj: "In the past 24 hours, Pritchard has become more aggressive in pursuing trades for George, league sources told The Vertical. Pritchard has yet to show an inclination to engage the Lakers, but has discussed deals with several teams—including Cleveland—in which the expectation of teams would be that George is a 'one-year rental.' The Cavaliers are devoid of the kind of young players and future picks that Indiana might want in return for George, and George has never mentioned the Cavaliers as an intriguing destination."
Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported the Clippers have expressed interest in George via potential sign-and-trade.
GM Griffin, Cavs part ways after title, 3 straight Finals: One year ago, David Griffin celebrated the biggest win in Cavaliers history.
He marked the anniversary Monday by walking away from the team.
Griffin's three-year run as general manager with Cleveland is over after one championship and three straight trips to the NBA Finals.
After guiding the team through its most successful stretch, Griffin mutually parted ways with the Cavs as owner Dan Gilbert said the GM's contract will not be extended once it expires June 30.
"On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Griff for his leadership and many contributions during his time here, including most recently, his role in the franchise's first NBA Championship," Gilbert said in a statement. "We have no announcement at this time related to new leadership of the Cavaliers basketball operations group, but we are confident our current front office will continue to aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead."
Griffin's departure comes on the one-year anniversary of the Cavs' dramatic Game 7 win over Golden State, capping a historic comeback that gave Cleveland its first major professional sports championship since 1964.
Former Pistons all-star Chauncey Billups is the early favorite to replace Griffin.
Celtics not done? After the big trade for the No. 1 pick, several reports say the team isn't done making moves. One of the trades they could make involves Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz. Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post reported last week that his sources believe the Celtics are the favorites to complete a trade to acquire his services. - B/R
Knicks open to trading Porzingis? From Woj: Sources: As teams become aware Phil Jackson isn't ruling out possibility of trading Kristaps Porzingis, frenzy of interest is growing today. Celtics are reportedly interested.
Monk, Mitchell headline list of shooting guards in NBA draft
The top shooting guards in Thursday night's NBA draft certainly offer plenty of high-scoring punch. They also come with some question marks.
Kentucky's Malik Monk is the top prospect and is expected to go in the lottery, followed by Louisville's Donovan Mitchell and Duke's Luke Kennard - all in the first round. But the position doesn't have the same projected upside compared to a stacked class of point guards or the next crop of do-everything forwards.
Here's a look at the top shooting guard prospects:
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MALIK MONK
Simply put, the Kentucky guard can score from anywhere.
STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-3, 200-pound freshman averaged 19.8 points while shooting 45 percent from the field, nearly 40 percent from 3-point range and about 82 percent from the line. Two games stood out in particular: a 47-point performance in a win against eventual national champion North Carolina in December and a February victory against Florida in which Monk scored 30 second-half points after managing just one basket before the break.
CONCERNS: Teams will want him to do more than just score. Monk wasn't active on the glass (2.5 rebounds per game), averaged roughly as many assists (2.3) as turnovers (2.0) and less than a steal a game. He also faded in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 14.8 points and shooting 38 percent in four games. The 19-year-old has plenty of athleticism but will need to develop an all-around game for nights when scoring doesn't come as easily.
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DONOVAN MITCHELL
The Louisville guard took a big leap in his sophomore season to become an all-Atlantic Coast Conference performer.
STRENGTHS: Mitchell has solid athleticism and a sturdy 6-3 frame, weighing in at 211 pounds at the combine to go with a 6-10 wingspan. He averaged 15.6 points in his first year as the Cardinals' go-to guy, contributing on the glass (4.9), on the defensive end (2.1 steals) and even occasionally at the point (2.7 assists).
CONCERNS: Mitchell is undersized for an NBA shooting guard. He also shot just 35 percent from 3-point range and had some issues with his shot periodically through the year. His shot selection prompted coach Rick Pitino to say Mitchell was "trying to win a game of H-O-R-S-E" by taking the toughest shots possible during a November game against Old Dominion.
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LUKE KENNARD
Duke's all-ACC wing blossomed as a sophomore into a polished and highly efficient scorer whose shooting range stretched defenses.
STRENGTHS: The 6-6 wing upped his scoring average nearly eight points per game to average 19.5 points. He also averaged 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He didn't need a ton of shots to put up strong numbers, either; Kennard shot 49 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 86 percent from the foul line. He can produce in both catch-and-shoot and screen scenarios.
CONCERNS: Kennard lacks elite athleticism and it's unclear if he'll be able to consistently create his own shot in the NBA. He'll also have to hold his own on defense.
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TERRANCE FERGUSON
The former McDonald's All-American and Arizona recruit passed on college to play professionally in Australia.
STRENGTHS: Ferguson has size (6-7) on the perimeter to go with athleticism and could potentially play small forward. He's projected as a first-round pick, possibly in the middle of the round.
CONCERNS: He had his struggles with the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League, averaging 4.6 points and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 31 percent on 3-pointers in 15 minutes a game. His game and body (190 pounds) still need development for the next level.
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DERRICK WHITE
The 6-4 senior has had an interesting rise from high-scoring Division II guard to all-conference transfer at Colorado.
STRENGTHS: White has a knack for scoring and the potential to play either guard spot at the next level. He averaged 22 points for his career at Colorado-Colorado Springs as a wing, then averaged 18.1 points and 4.4 assists for the Buffaloes in his first season playing the point. He also shot 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range at Colorado.
CONCERNS: White doesn't have remarkable quickness or explosiveness, so it's unclear how he'll match up with more athletic NBA guards.
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OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
- JOSH HART: The Villanova senior was an Associated Press first-team all-American who averaged 18.7 points but doesn't boast elite athleticism. He's a likely second-round prospect.
- TYLER DORSEY: The Oregon sophomore got rolling late in the season with 20-plus points in his last eight games, helping the Ducks reach the Final Four for the first time since 1939. He's a possible second-round pick.
- SINDARIUS THORNWELL: The South Carolina senior helped drive the Gamecocks to their first Final Four appearance with his tough-nosed play. He's a second-round prospect.