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What if the Celtics traded all eight of their draft picks?
— -- Bold prediction: The Boston Celtics will be trading one or more draft picks this year. That seems certain.
But what could they get if they traded all eight of them?
As of now, Boston holds the No. 3 overall pick, No. 16 and No. 23 in the first round and a whopping five of the 30 total second-round picks. Some kind of a trade on draft night is all but inevitable.
To give a sense of the kind of value Boston's picks might have in trade, I've come up with six fake trades involving all eight selections.
The Celtics couldn't realistically actually make all six trades, since most require them to use cap space to add salary. (In point of fact, most of these trades couldn't be consummated until Boston goes under the cap on July 7, with the Celtics choosing to draft a player for the other team.)
But here's a stab at what Boston could get if it did.
1. Celtics trade: No. 3 pick, guard R.J. Hunter
Philadelphia 76ers trade: center Jahlil Okafor, forward Robert Covington
That said, I wouldn't do this deal as the Celtics without getting Covington. The combo forward has one of the league's better contracts (he'll make the veteran's minimum each of the next two years, and even that amount is non-guaranteed) and would allow Boston to play small on a more regular basis.
In fact, Covington cracked the top 50 of our trade value rankings -- just ahead of Okafor.
Why Philadelphia does it: This isn't great value, that's for sure. However, the Sixers are probably going to have to accept less than 100 cents on the dollar because other teams know they want to move either Okafor or Nerlens Noel, and the No. 3 pick is the best they're going to get in this year's draft.
Philadelphia also gets a useful prospect in Hunter, a favorite of my projection system before last year's draft who played well in the preseason before struggling in his limited regular-season action.
2. Celtics trade: No. 16 pick
New Orleans Pelicans trade: guard Tyreke Evans
Why Boston does it: The Celtics could plug Evans into the role of reserve creator occupied by Evan Turner last season. Even last season, when he was dealing with knee injuries, Evans was a more prolific and more efficient scorer than Turner, and he's a better playmaker too.
Evans is coming off season-ending knee surgery, the third on his right knee in the past 13 months, but any risk is mitigated by the fact that he's entering the final season of his contract and his $10.2 million salary looks like a bargain compared to free agency.
Why New Orleans does it: Evans never really seemed to fit in Alvin Gentry's offense, which ran better with less heralded Ish Smith at the controls. He's either going to leave in free agency or be due a big raise in a year, so the Pelicans would be wise to cash in now and add another young talent to a roster that's light on such players.
3. Celtics trade: No. 23 pick
L.A. Lakers trade: guard Lou Williams
Why Boston does it: Consider this the light version of dealing for Evans. Williams is older (he'll be 30 in October) than Evans and not nearly as versatile defensively. And he'd be tough to play with Isaiah Thomas defensively.
But compared to Evans, Williams is a far more efficient scorer who is two years removed from winning the Sixth Man Award. And Williams' contract (two years remaining at $7 million per year) is eminently reasonable.
Why the Lakers do it: Presumably, the Lakers will want either Jordan Clarkson or D'Angelo Russell on the court at all times, so they don't need Williams' ability to create his own shot as much as the Celtics do. Williams is older than the Lakers' core of young talent and they could probably use the additional cap space either this summer or more likely in 2017.
4. Celtics trade: Picks Nos. 31 and 51
Milwaukee Bucks trade: center Greg Monroe
Why Boston does it: This time a year ago, Monroe was one of the most coveted free agents on the market, and his $17.4 million salary is far less than the current max. He wasn't a great fit in Milwaukee -- and got unfairly blamed for much larger structural problems that caused the Bucks to regress last season -- but Monroe can still score efficiently.
He could fit with the Celtics much like Okafor, and both would benefit from Boston's terrific perimeter defense.
Why Milwaukee does it: Indications are the Bucks want to move Monroe, which would give them far more flexibility with regard to the salary cap and their starting lineup. Getting the valuable top pick of the second round would be something of a win -- and a do-over -- at this point.
5. Celtics trade: No. 35 pick
Minnesota Timberwolves trade: forward Bojan Dubljevic
Why Boston does it: In all likelihood, the Celtics will just draft several international prospects in the second round to stash for the future. But that's not the way this exercise works!
So instead let's just have Boston deal for the rights to a player already drafted. Dubljevic, the No. 59 pick in 2013, was a key part of a Valencia team that finished a game back of better-funded powers FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in the ACB this season. He averaged 24.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per 36 minutes in ACB play and is a dangerous shooter from the FIBA 3-point line. Still just 24, Dubljevic could eventually help the Celtics as a reserve.
Why Minnesota does it: Dubljevic was drafted two regimes ago, so it's unclear how the current Timberwolves management views his potential. He also won't likely come to the NBA until 2017 (when he can opt out of his contract) at the earliest. Minnesota can pick up a valuable pick early in the second round and draft someone who might help the team now.
6. Celtics trade: Picks Nos. 45 and 58
Portland Trail Blazers trade: 2019 (more favorable of L.A. Lakers and Minnesota) and 2021 second-round picks, cash considerations
Why Boston does it: The other likely scenario for the Celtics' second-round picks is sending them to other teams for future picks, allowing Boston to stay well-stocked for trades or to get better picks down the road by being patient.
Why Portland does it: Blazers owner Paul Allen loves the draft, and the team currently has no picks in either round. Expect Portland to find a way into the second round by using Allen's checkbook to help facilitate a trade.
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