The Boston Celtics wanted to be in a position to select Duke swingman Justise Winslow during Thursday night’s NBA draft.
Winslow surprisingly fell all the way to No. 10, where the Miami Heat were happy to take him and address a huge need on the wing.
Before that, the Celtics, according to ESPN Boston’s Chris Forsberg, offered a substantial package for the Charlotte Hornets’ No. 9 pick to take the Duke star.
“According to sources, the Celtics’ final offer to the Hornets was a package that could have featured as many as six draft picks, including four potential first-round selections (a combination of picks from this draft and in the future),” Forsberg writes. “But the Hornets could not be swayed and turned down multiple offers to select Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky.”
Celtics president Danny Ainge noted Thursday night that the price to move up was “way too high,” which sems like an accurate statement if it would take six picks to move up just seven spots. That’s the kind of package you offer for a top-three selection that will produce a superstar player.
Winslow projects to be a tremendous NBA player, but he’s not worth that many assets.
Thumbnail photo via Russ Isabella/USA TODAY Sports Images
