Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Sources say that the Celtics were discussing a package that included multiple picks and big man Jared Sullinger with New York and that Phoenix talked to members of the organization about a trade involving Eric Bledsoe in the hours leading up to the draft.
It is unclear how far any of the talks advanced, but Jackson eventually settled on selecting Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth pick.
ESPN Boston: NYK, Celtics talked Sullinger deal
According to discussions with sources around the league, Marcus Smart was never shopped by the Celts — though his name was reported so often, he called the club to inquire if he was on the block. This is not to say Smart couldn’t have been available under a larger and more comprehensive situation, but nothing of that sort ever came close.
Some of the Celtics’ alleged targets were well off the mark, as well. The names cannot be used because they will have to play against these guys, but NBA personnel sources confirmed the C’s had no interest at all in some of the people they were said to be moving up in the draft to get.
Herald: Plan A, B failed, so Celtics move to C
RUMORS!
SOURCES!
One thing should be abundantly clear by now. The Celtics tried like hell to move up in this draft, something Ainge said he would do. It didn’t matter that teams were in their division, and that they’d be potentially stocking the Knicks or Sixers with a cache of future draft picks. All that mattered was getting their target player, which appears to be Justise Winslow.
The Celtics tried to use their hard-earned assets to upgrade the roster with a potential star. But as Ainge reiterated during his midnight address to the media, teams value their targets much more passionately on draft night and the Celtics brass were aware of that.
Why else would Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets turn down an offer of multiple first-round picks to take Frank Kaminsky when they already have Cody Zeller, whom they selected fourth overall two years ago? Somebody in Charlotte, and his initials are M.J., fell hard for Kaminsky during the pre-draft process, harder than the Celtics loved Winslow.
There is going to be a day three years from now when Winslow is a potential All Star, Kaminsky is a bust, and fan bases in Boston and Charlotte will look at Jordan with such contempt.
As for the names involved in these potential moves… I have a hard time believing Marcus Smart wasn’t discussed at some point, even in passing. Everyone on this team knows by now that this part of the year is all about business. Teams are never the same from year to year. Every team in the NBA adds and loses players in the offseason, so it’s no different in Boston, even with guys who have made an impact.
In the end, it may end up that the old adage will ring true… sometime the most important deals are the ones you don’t do. We’ll have to wait and see how Kaminsky and Winslow do as pros (as well as Rozier and Hunter), then come back and look at whether the Celtics got screwed, or got lucky, in this year’s draft.
Page 2: At least one of the C’s draft picks will play overseas
“We’re going to work out some deals with at least one, maybe two,” Ainge told Comcast SportsNet during Thursday night’s NBA draft.
Shooting guard Marcus Thornton of William & Mary was drafted by Boston in the second round with the 45th pick overall, and will likely be playing with a team overseas next season with the Celtics maintaining his rights.
This of course means we’re going to fall in love with Thornton’s game as he busts his ass in summer league, then keep tabs on him for a couple of years until it’s pretty clear he’s never really going to be good enough to play in the NBA.
We’ll call this, the “Colton Iverson” plan.
The rest of the links:
Globe: Stevens knows all about RJ Hunter | Rozier brings toughness, personality | Herald: Failed trade talks tough to swallow | CSNNE: Draft leaves future cloudier than ever | ESPN Boston: C’s dangled up to 6 picks for 9 | WEEI: Goodman on MFB: Rozier the wrong pick
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