According to MassLive’s Brian Robb, the Celtics could be active during tonight’s NBA Draft. Despite only having the final pick at #30 in the first round, Robb writes:
“…Boston has been shopping that selection in hopes of picking up additional draft compensation per a source. Boston’s front office is attempting to thread the needle between infusing some young talent into the franchise and adding more draft capital to the cupboard to add ammo for future moves.”
In Robb’s piece, he digs into the financial ramifications of selecting in the first round rather than trading down into the second. First round picks are owed guaranteed money; at 30th, that’s roughly $2.5 million and rises every successive season. Second round picks, like Jordan Walsh last year, can now be signed to long term deals starting as low as $1.16 million per year.
However, there’s a chance that Brad Stevens could move up in the first round if there’s a player that the front office thinks could contribute immediately. Per Stockriser’s Jake Weingarten, Boston has shown interest in Minnesota’s Cam Christie and UNC’s Harrison Ingram.
