2017 NBA Draft: Three teams that can snag Lonzo Ball from the Lakers
By Jason Reed
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics hold the first overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets when the Celtics parted ways with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Many speculate that the Celtics will trade away this pick, as they need an established star instead of a growing star – the Celtics want to win with the unit they have now before it is too late.
If the Celtics do retain their selection, many believe that they would pick up Washington point guard Markelle Fultz. Fultz is a great scorer, and truly is a great point guard coming out of this draft. The problem? Well, the Celtics don’t really need a young rookie to sit behind Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley.
If they don’t need another guard to sit behind Thomas and Bradley, then why would the Celtics draft Lonzo Ball at number one overall? Well, it is simple – the team knows how much the Lakers want Ball, and would select him in spite.
This would give the Celtics all the power in negotiations with their rivaled Lakers. Let’s say that the Lakers then turn around and select Fultz second overall, the Celtics could effectively swap Ball for a player they could have gotten anyways, and bring in a new talent.
The Celtics could likely ask for Julius Randle alongside Fultz, with Larry Nance Jr in the fray and another first pick, the Lakers may get desperate enough to agree to those terms. Heck, the Celtics could then even trade Fultz for an established star, which could make them the best team in the Eastern Conference.