Celtics’ Ainge Believes Team Will Get Their Man At No. 3
Speaking to the media via conference call for the first time since his team's blockbuster, pre-draft trade this weekend, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge seemed confident that the Boston Celtics will in fact get the player they want with the number three overall pick on Thursday night.
"We'll still be able to get the player we want in the draft," Ainge said to reporters.
In dealing the top overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, who will presumably select Washington point guard Markelle Fultz, Boston will move just two spots down.
In that spot they will likely take either Kansas' Josh Jackson or Duke's Jayson Tatum, two players who have always been high on their prospect board and are likely the two guys Boston has been choosing between for a while now.
With the expectation that the Los Angeles Lakers, who pick second on Thursday, will in fact select somewhat polarizing UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball, after Philly selects Fultz, Boston should still be able to pick the player they most wanted while sitting at the top spot prior to the trade, and for less money.
Whether that player will be Jackson or Tatum still remains to be seen, though Thursday is just three days away.