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The Celtics made no bones about it, they were focused on trading up in the draft. They wanted to consolidate their picks and go for quality over quantity. That was the plan and they weren't able to accomplish it. That's not necessarily a knock, since it takes two to cha cha. Sometimes it is necessary to overpay, but you also have to know when to push away from the table and call it a day.
Boston Celtics offered six picks for Charlotte Hornets' No. 9 pick, sources say
"Maybe we were going too hard at it," he said. "There was a time when I thought, 'Whoa, this is getting a little out of control.' We're putting a lot of eggs in one young player's basket. So I'm not frustrated. In the long run, maybe it'll be the best."
"We spent a few weeks trying to prepare for that and do that, knowing that nothing really gets done until draft day, when people are making their final offers, their best offers and so forth. We were very close to consolidating picks and moving up in the draft on a couple of different occasions, and it just didn't happen. "In hindsight, the next day, it's probably a good thing. We were probably going to spend too much to do what we needed to do," Ainge said. "This morning I wake up, and I'm refreshed that we got guys that we like but also that we didn't overspend for some of the players that were in the draft -- actually just basically one player we were chasing that we thought we had a realistic chance at."
It doesn't ultimately matter now, but it is interesting to hear what offers were being discussed. It tends to give you an idea of the team's ultimate goals this summer.
No Justise, no peace: Celtics' plan to upgrade continues - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN
According to sources, the Celtics' final offer to the Hornets was a package featuring as many as six draft picks, including four potential first-round selections (a combination of picks from this draft and in the future). But the Hornets could not be swayed and turned down multiple offers to select Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky.
That's a big haul of picks to move up 7 spots. Then again, it also tells you how little team's value the picks that we had to offer. Chances are pretty good that we were not including the future Nets picks. In which case you are talking about lots of late 1st round picks and a couple 2nds. Ask yourself, would you be excited if your team traded a lottery pick for 4 late 1sts and two 2nds? Probably not.
The other piece of intel that is coming out is that Jared Sullinger was the bait dangled to the Knicks for their pick.
Sources: NYK, Celts talked Sullinger deal - New York Knicks Blog - ESPN
Members of the New York Knicks’ front office were involved in discussions with Orlando, Phoenix and Boston in the hours leading up to the draft on Thursday, league sources with knowledge of the conversations say. Sources say that the Celtics were discussing a package that included multiple picks and big man Jared Sullinger with New York and that Phoenix talked to members of the organization about a trade involving Eric Bledsoe in the hours leading up to the draft.
In my eyes, Bledsoe is a far superior player and if the Knicks turned that down, I don't see how they would have seriously considered Sullinger. Then again, the Celtics could have been offering a similar truck-load of picks with Sullinger that would have allowed the Knicks (who have dealt away picks in the past like they were candy at a kid party) to get some more future assets.
Either way, it didn't happen and it is all woulda-coulda-shoulda's at this point.
It is safe to wonder out loud if Sullinger is long for this team. It is fair to wonder if Marcus Smart was really involved in any trade offers (despite the protests of the team about bogus rumors).
At the end of the day, however, the Celtics still have Sullinger and they used all their picks. The summer league team should be pretty stacked. For what that's worth.