Celtics Being Aggressive Ahead Of Draft, Reportedly 'Thinking Big'
BOSTON (CBS) -- With the NBA Draft just a few days away, things are starting to heat up with the Boston Celtics.
According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Celtics have been aggressive in the days leading up to the draft, hoping to land a pick inside the Top 10. One rival executive told Mannix that Danny Ainge and company are "thinking big."
The Celtics have the 16th and 28th pick in the first round of Thursday night's draft, with picks No. 33 and No. 45 in the second round. They also have a healthy collection of picks in each of the next three drafts, giving Ainge plenty of ammo to pull off a trade come Thursday.
Celtics @ 7: Austin Ainge Says Celtics Will Be Active On Draft Night
The Celtics were reportedly chatting with the Charlotte Hornets recently, who own the ninth overall pick in Thursday's draft.
Then there was a pretty big rumor that hit the interwebs on Thursday via the L.A. Times, reporting the Celtics were talking with the Philadelphia 76ers about the No. 3 overall pick. In that rumor, the Celtics were offering up their two first-round picks and point guard Marcus Smart (the sixth overall selection last year) for the pick and forward/center Nerlens Noel. Philadelphia was reportedly not interested in such a deal.
With their collection of assets and glaring needs on their roster, Boston is expected to be one of the busier teams in the NBA ahead of the draft. Expect plenty more of these rumors and stories to surface throughout Thursday night, but it's usually the trades you don't hear about that Ainge ends up pulling off.
