Despite owning the best record of the entire Eastern Conference the previous season, the Celtics would win themselves the #1 pick due to them activating the right to swap what's originally their own first round draft pick (which was pick 26) with the Brooklyn Nets, who in contrast held the worst record of the entire NBA that same season, thanks to a previous, infamous trade with the Nets where the Celtics traded, alongside both role players Jason Terry and D.J. White, superstars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in exchange for many more players and multiple first round draft picks that were considered unprotected and the right to swap first round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, on June 19, four days before the 2017 NBA Draft commenced, the Celtics would trade that coveted pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the third pick of the draft (which was projected to be a small forward in either Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum) and either the Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 first round pick or maybe the Sacramento Kings' 2019 first round pick, depending on what happens this upcoming season. Other than that, the Celtics also hold three second round draft picks, each of which were acquired by trades, while losing their own second round pick as an added piece of help for the Nets later on down the line. Their first second round pick was acquired from the Phoenix Suns back when it was considered a first round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Brandan Wright. The next second round pick was had from the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside their 2016 second round pick and Keith Bogans in exchange for John Lucas III, Erik Murphy, Dwight Powell, Malcolm Thomas, and the protected rights of the Sacramento Kings' own second round picks from both 2015 and 2017. Finally, their last second round pick was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-way trade with the Phoenix Suns, where Boston would acquire Shavlik Randolph again and a trade exception from the Suns, as well as both Chris Douglas-Roberts and the Clippers' second round pick from Los Angeles.
With their top pick (and the one that Danny Ainge claimed would have taken as the #1 pick instead of Markelle Fultz), the Boston Celtics selected the 19 year old freshman small forward Jayson Tatum from Duke University over 20 year old freshman small forward Josh Jackson like many media outlets originally projected for them the moment they traded away their #1 pick. In his only season at Duke, Jayson averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 assists per game in over 29 games there, while also earning All-ACC Freshman Team and All-ACC Third Team honors throughout last season. In terms of their second round picks, the first one they took would be another small forward, this time being Semi Ojeleye, a transfer junior from Southern Methodist University (previously Duke University also). During his only year at Southern Methodist, Ojeleye helped lead the Mustangs to their second ever AAC Tournament victory by recording averages of 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game there. As a result of his efforts, he became the AAC Tournament's MVP that year, as well as be named to the All-ACC First Team, the AAC Player of The Year, and was an honorable mention via the Associated Press for the NCAA All-American Team. For the second of Boston's three second round picks, at #53, the Celtics selected senior shooting guard Kadeem Allen from University of Arizona. In his senior year at Arizona, he averaged 9.8 points and 4 rebounds per game, which would be enough for him to be named a member of the Pac-12 Second Team and Pac-12 Defensive Team. Finally, with their last second round pick at #56, Boston chose another senior shooting guard, this time being Jabari Bird from the University of California. During his last season at California, Bird averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Golden Bears, but he suffered a concussion during one of his last games there.
To Boston Celtics[1]Jayson Tatum (Pick 3) 2018 First round pick (2 through 6 protected) If pick does not convey in 2018 a First round pick in 2019 (with protections)
United States
