In today's Celtics Rumors Roundup, the Boston Celtics have been named as one of three teams who might be willing to take a chance on injured Kansas center Joel Embiid at the top of the NBA Draft.
However, ESPN and Grantland's Bill Simmons says that the Celtics may not be as quick to pull the trigger on selecting Embiid as previously thought:
Celts not nearly as sold on Embiid as people think. The medicals worry them. Could still take him, more likely they trade down. (PS-Go USA!)
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 26, 2014
Embiid recently had surgery on a fractured right foot which will reportedly keep him out 4-6 months. However, several teams have been making inferences that his foot and reported back issues pale in comparison to his talent ceiling - providing he can come back fully healthy.
While the Celtics do need, as president of basketball operations Danny Ainge terms it, a "rim protector," they may also be willing to trade down for extra picks to give another team a potential shot at Embiid in the six slot.
Rajon Rondo talks his Boston future
Per Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo finds himself in a familiar spot - smack dab in the middle of trade speculation:
"Rondo has, again, been connected to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, this time centering on the Kings' first-round pick, which is No. 8 overall," writes Deveney in an article posted on Thursday. "That would give Celtics president Danny Ainge the Nos. 6 and 8 picks, and the chance to draft a big man and a point guard around whom he could rebuild. The guard would likely be Marcus Smart."
However, a source close to the Celtics believes that the talks surrounding Rondo are "the usual BS," indicating that Rondo hasn't been informed of any deals in the works.
The most likely scenario involves Rondo remaining with the team, with the Celtics front office attempting to find him another star player to work with and through. However, as always, anything is possible on the NBA landscape.
Draft Day Notes
* A. Sharrod Blakely of CSN New England reports that the Celtics are looking to use their cache of trade assets to pick up "at least" one selection in the NBA Draft.
* According to the Boston Globe, Joel Embiid is indicating that his back is fully healed. A source close to Embiid confirms this, but recommends back-centered strength training for any team that selects him.
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