We know Danny Ainge is considering moving up, down and sideways in the draft. But most experts don’t think the Cs have the assets to move up high enough to land a potential difference maker.
Until now. I give you Sports Illustrated:
WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN, C
KENTUCKY, JUNIOR | 7-0, 240[Trade: Celtics acquire No. 6 pick from Kings in exchange for No. 16, No. 28 and No. 33 pick.] With Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins in place and having taken Nik Stauskas last season, the Kings could pass on a slew of top-notch wings and frontcourt types and deal the pick to a team like Boston in order to acquire more assets. The Celtics roster features several skilled young bigs, but none with the ability to anchor a defense like Cauley-Stein. He’ll thrive alongside a solid guard corps and help push Boston’s rebuild forward.
I’d make this deal in a heartbeat but I don’t think it’s enough for Cauley-Stein. More on this later.
First, a couple of caveats:
- This is not Chris Mannix’ mock draft. It comes from two guys named Chris Johnson and Jeremy Woo, i.e. two guys I’ve didn’t know existed prior to noon.
- Last month, Steve Bulpett reported some Celtics types are quesy about Cauley-Stein’s offensive game.
Back to our trade scenario. Mannix says the Kings have a gaping hole at power forward. Would they be tempted to take Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk along with some combination of the draft picks?
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