The Sixer Sense
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Rumors: Could The Philadelphia 76ers Trade Back?

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics

Right now, the obvious choice for a team with enough currency to trade for the top pick of the 2016 NBA Draft would be the Boston Celtics.  Standing at three, they also choose at 16 and at 23 in the first round.

With their team already finding plenty of success, and with a back court loaded, the Celtics would be the ideal team to warrant paying a kings ransom for an opportunity to bring either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram to their lineup.

Will they do so?  They need front court help in a bad way, and the match is so obvious that there has already been a consensus that the Celtics may initiate talks to acquire Jahlil Okafor with the third pick of the draft.

More from The Sixer Sense

The Boston Celtics do not need three first round draft picks this year.  Yes, it’s great PR. Yes, it gives lots of excitement to the fan base.  But how many rookies will make a roster of a 48-34 team with any impact?   And without impact, those rookies never get enough playing time to develop, and wilt on the bench never hearing their name called.

No, this Celtics team needs starting caliber players, sure fire starters who could be elite someday.

A curious twist could pit the Celtics into giving up their third pick as well as either Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart.  What an intriguing deal that might make.   The Sixers get a sure fire veteran point guard – a true need that will not be met in this draft, and the third pick where they can pick up more back court help.   In fact, with the potential of the Celtics team adding Ben Simmons, the Sixers could ask for the three pick, the sixteen pick, and Marcus Smart.

It could very well be worth it in the long run to the Celtics to get Ben Simmons.

Would you do that deal? The bigger question is, would wheeler/dealer Danny Ainge do that deal? I think the answer is yes, in a heartbeat.

Next: Los Angeles Lakers