NBA Draft Stock Watch: How do Celtics stack up among teams?

The Celtics own more first round picks than any team heading into the 2020 NBA Draft next month on Wednesday, November 18th. Just how well does their position stack up to the other 29 teams around the league? Before we dive deeper into the potential best fits available for Boston in each of their respective draft spots in the coming weeks here at BSJ, let’s first take a step back to take a big picture look at the 2020 NBA Draft itself. What teams are in great spots when it comes to pick volume? What teams could be looking to trade down or trade into the first round? Let’s take stock of each team’s situation.

2020 NBA DRAFT ORDER + PICK VOLUME 

1. Wolves: 3 picks (No. 1, 17, 33)
2. Warriors: 3 picks (No. 2, 48, 51)
3. Hornets: 3 picks (No. 3, 32, 56)
4. Bulls: 2 picks (No. 4, 44)
5. Cavs: 1 pick (No. 5)
6. Hawks: 2 picks (No. 6, 50)
7. Pistons: 1 pick (No. 7)
8. Knicks: 3 picks (No. 8, 27, 38)
9. Wizards: 2 picks (No. 9, 37)
10. Suns: 1 pick (No. 10)
11. Spurs: 2 picks (No. 11, 41)
12. Kings: 4 picks (No. 12, 35, 43, 52)
13. Pelicans: 4 picks (No. 13, 39, 42, 60)
14. Celtics: 4 picks (No. 14, 26, 30, 47) (from Memphis)
15. Magic: 2 picks (No. 15, 45)
16. Blazers: 2 picks (No. 16, 46)
17. Wolves 3 picks (2nd of 3 picks, 1, 33) (from Brooklyn)
18. Mavericks 2 picks (No. 18, 31)
19. Nets 2 picks (No. 19, 55) (from Sixers)
20. Heat 1 pick (No. 20)
21. 76ers 5 picks (No. 21, 34, 36, 49, 58) (from OKC)
22. Nuggets 1 pick (No. 22) (from Houston)
23. Jazz 1 pick (No. 23)
24. Bucks 1 pick (No. 24) (from Indiana)
25. Thunder 2 picks (No. 25, 53) (from Denver)
26. Celtics: 2nd of four picks (No. 14, 26, 30, 47)
27. Knicks: 2nd of three picks (No. 8, 27, 38) (from LA Clippers)
28. Lakers: 1 pick (No. 28)
29. Raptors: 2 picks (No. 29, 59)
30. Celtics: 3rd of four picks (No. 14, 26, 30, 47) (from Milwaukee)

KEY CATEGORIES

TEAMS THAT DON’T HAVE FIRST ROUND PICKS (4)

Clippers (No. 57), Rockets (No picks), Grizzlies (No. 40), Pacers (No. 54)

Trade possibilities overview: The Rockets and Clippers have decimated their future first-round pick stashes after trades for Russell Westbrook and Paul George respectively so it’s unlikely the C’s would be able to pry a future first-round pick from either on draft night if they try to trade back into the first round. Given that both franchises will be pushing for a title next year, adding a late first-round talent probably won’t be much of a priority for those front offices.

The Pacers already have 12 players under contract next year so they won’t need to be pushing hard to get back into the first round from a depth standpoint. It’s hard to see them giving up even a protected future first-round pick one of Boston’s late first-round picks (No. 26 or No. 30) and there aren’t any appealing future second-round picks for C’s to ask for to find some common ground.

Memphis similarity has a well-stocked depth chart already (11 players under contract for 2021) so they won’t be bowling anyone over in a deal just to get back into the first round. The Celtics could ask about a protected future first-round pick that Utah has left over for the 2021 NBA Draft if they want to trade out of No. 26 but it’s unlikely Memphis would bite on that offer.

TEAMS WITH MULTIPLE FIRST ROUND PICKS (3)

Celtics (3), Timberwolves (2), Knicks (2)

Analysis: We have already broken down the C’s roster crunch and why they are likely to be doing some consolidation with their selections via trade. The Wolves and Knicks have some new management teams in place and are eager to push for the playoffs now, which makes them unlikely to use all of their picks here as well (trades for veterans will be on the table). The Knicks have a ton of youth (albeit mismatched) on the roster already while the Wolves will be looking to appease Karl Anthony-Towns with some win-now pieces that need less seasoning. Given that the Knicks and Wolves have picks in Boston’s range (Minnesota at No. 17, Knicks at No. 27) on top of their lottery picks, that could have a negative impact for the C’s leverage in any trade talks if some other team wants to move up in the first round in those ranges.

TEAMS WITH FIVE DRAFT PICKS (1)

Philadelphia (No. 21, 34, 36, 49, 58)

Analysis: Elton Brand has only four open roster spots heading into the offseason and very limited payroll flexibility so look for Philly to be busy consolidating assets on draft night. Four of the five picks are in the second round so he will try to package them to move up or move them for future picks. The early second-round picks could be especially valuable on the trade market next month since they provide some cost savings over first-round draft slots (less guaranteed money), something that may hold appeal for cost-cutting teams in the wake of the pandemic.

TEAMS WITH FOUR DRAFT PICKS (3)

Boston: (No. 14, 26, 30, 47)
Sacramento: (No. 12, 35, 43, 52)
New Orleans: (No. 13, 39, 42, 60)

Analysis: The Celtics have the best batch of picks within this bunch and it’s not a sure thing the Pelicans and Kings will be trying to move their excess picks since they each have five open spots on their roster heading into the offseason (plus two-way deals to fill). There will be plenty of options for the C’s to turn a late first-round pick into multiple high second-round selections (less of a burden on payroll) but that doesn't necessarily help Boston since the roster crunch remains despite the cost savings.

TEAMS WITH THREE DRAFT PICKS (4)

Wolves: 3 picks (No. 1, 17, 33)
Warriors: 3 picks (No. 2, 48, 51)
Hornets: 3 picks (No. 3, 32, 56)
Knicks: 3 picks (No. 8, 27, 38)

Analysis: Three rebuilding squads in this group and one that is trying to contend now in Golden State. The No. 2 overall pick is probably the selection that is going to be shopped around the most prior to draft night as Golden State looks to bolster their win-now window with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson back.

TEAMS WITH TWO DRAFT PICKS (10)

Analysis: This is the standard position for any team in the draft so no real need to dissect what teams will do here beyond just using their selections.

TEAMS WITH ONE DRAFT PICK (11)

Notable teams for C’s to watch/initiate trade talks with

Detroit: (No. 7)
Phoenix: (No. 10)
Indiana: (No. 54)
Memphis: (No. 40)

Analysis: We talked about the Pistons and Suns roster situations earlier this week. More than ever though Detroit looks like a team is ripe for a deal with Boston given their need to fill so many holes on the roster with cost-controlled talent. If they are looking for numerous cracks at the back end of the first round for young talent, the Celtics are a team that is best positioned to make a deal that gives the Pistons that ability. Of course, the player has to be waiting at No. 7 that the C’s want in order to pay that price.

The Suns could be looking to move down in order to open up some additional cap room so it’s likely the C’s could save one of their late first round picks by only trying to jump up to No. 10 instead of No. 7. The Pacers and Grizzlies would need to fall in love with a draft prospect at No. 26 or No. 30 to give a future first. However, C’s should bite if they come calling for No. 14 and are willing to give up a lightly protected future first-round pick since that would come in handy at the trade deadline.

TEAMS WITH ZERO DRAFT PICKS (1)

Houston Rockets

Analysis: With their future draft assets depleted, free agency or trading veterans is the only real path for this team to improve.