Several NBA Players Believe Celtics Should Trade No. 1 Draft Pick, And Here’s Why

The debate figures to rage on until next month.

Should the Boston Celtics, winners of this week’s lottery, trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft? Or should they keep the pick, perhaps to select Washington point guard Markelle Fultz, who’s the top pick in most mock drafts?

Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype asked several NBA players what the Celtics should do, and many suggested that Boston trade the pick for a proven All-Star, such as Jimmy Butler or Paul George. The Celtics, after all, are facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, so perhaps another piece or two could put them over the top in their quest to dethrone LeBron James and Co.

Of course, others felt the Celtics would be better off selecting someone such as Fultz, who could evolve into a transcendent player, despite the risk that comes with opting for a young unproven draft pick over a known quantity.

In other words, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has an interesting decision to make, although most probably would admit Boston is in a very enviable position.

Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images