2016 NBA Draft: Celtics opt to keep No. 3 pick, draft Jaylen Brown
After so much trade talk, Boston decided to go with Jaylen Brown
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After all sorts of speculation and trade rumors, the Boston Celtics selected Jaylen Brown out of California with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. It is unclear whether or not they will keep him. They were reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls in the minutes leading up to the selection.
The Celtics, of course, acquired this pick in July of 2013 in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. Since trading those stars away, Boston general manager Danny Ainge has been in the market for another one. Assuming that Ainge is not about to send Brown somewhere else, he has to be hoping that he develops into a star.
Brown is an athletic small forward who has lots of upside, especially on the defensive end. He is not necessarily expected to be an immediate contributor, though, and he has a lot of work to do on his shot. Down the road, he may be seen as a great pick if he develops into a smallball power forward, but since the Celtics have been trying to acquire a big name to turn them into a contender, this feels a little underwhelming.
Boston also owns the No. 16, 23, 31, 35, 45, 51 and 58 picks in the draft. Do not expect Ainge to keep all of them.
