The Boston Celtics hold several picks, namely the No. 3 overall selection, which they have been actively trying to trade ahead of the draft. As a result, there are plenty of rumors swirling about what Boston plans to do. Here's all the latest Celtics buzz you need to know:
Celtics drafting Dunn?
Boston has been aggressively trying to trade the No. 3 pick in the draft, but after being rebuffed by several teams, it appears the Celtics are content to keep the pick. If they do, they are expected to draft Providence PG Kris Dunn, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski:
Kris Dunn has significant traction in Boston as No. 3 pick, sources tell @TheVertical. No final decision -- and trades remain on table.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 23, 2016
The Celtics are still in talks with the 76ers about sending the pick to them for a trade package centered around Nerlens Noel and/or Jahlil Okafor, and they could also be drafting Dunn only to trade him later with Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart already on the roster.
If not Dunn, then Hield?
Though it appears Boston favors Dunn, Buddy Hield thinks he has a good chance to be taken with the third pick, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe:
Buddy Hield says the Celtics came out to California to see him twice pic.twitter.com/zEOo2unS0E
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 22, 2016
Buddy Hield: "When you have guys who are hungry, you can't pick against them."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 22, 2016
Buddy Hield on Celtics at No. 3: "Why not me? They need a shooter."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 22, 2016
Hield averaged 25.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season for Oklahoma.
Sixers ramping up pursuit of No. 3 pick?
The Philadelphia 76ers are also extremely interested in drafting Dunn, and have been in trade talks over the past week to try and acquire that pick. According to ESPN Insider Chad Ford, the Sixers have given Boston their best offer to this point.
The best offer they've received? The Sixers are willing to part with Jahlil Okafor for the No. 3 pick. While interested in Okafor, the Celtics want more.
The Celtics haven't budged to this point, and the Sixers are "ramping up" their offer, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
League sources tell @chadfordinsider and me: Philadelphia is ramping up its efforts to acquire tonight's No. 3 overall pick from Boston.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 23, 2016
If the 76ers get the pick, they would also draft Dunn.
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