The Boston Celtics had the Luck of the Irish on their side Friday. Kind of.
The NBA conducted tiebreaker coin flips to determine the order of June’s NBA Draft. Boston owns the third-best chance at the No. 1 overall pick, via the Brooklyn Nets, but also has two other first-round selections: their own natural pick and a selection from the Dallas Mavericks, via the Rajon Rondo trade. The latter two were involved in the tiebreaker.
At 42-40, the Mavericks finished the season as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, meaning the pick Boston receives is not eligible for the NBA Draft Lottery. Dallas’ record did tie them with the Memphis Grizzlies, though, and Dallas won the coin flip. That means the pick Boston gets from Dallas will now be the 16th overall selection instead of the 17th.
There typically is good talent available at that spot in the lottery. The Celtics selected point guard Terry Rozier at No. 16 in 2015 and wing James Young at No. 17 in 2014. Reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year and 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was selected at No. 15 in 2011.
Additionally, a four-way tiebreaker was needed to determine where Boston, the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat would make selections. Atlanta won the highest pick at No. 21, followed by Charlotte at No. 22, Boston at No. 23 and Miami at No. 24.
Boston has not picked from the No. 23 slot since 1982, when it drafted Darren Tillis out of Cleveland State University. Boston took forward Jared Sullinger with the 21st overall selection in 2012 and point guard Rajon Rondo 21st in 2006.
The Celtics also own five second-round picks: Nos. 31, 35, 45, 51 and 58.
Boston does have some history in its favor with its first two second-round selections: They chose Danny Ainge with the No. 31 overall pick in the 1981 draft. They also selected NBA champion Glen “Big Baby” Davis with the 35th pick in 2007, while Golden State Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green was taken 35th in the 2012 Draft and Los Angeles Clippers All-NBA center DeAndre Jordan was selected 35th in 2008.
h/t to CSNNE
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
