Report: Celtics could trade up to draft Mo Bamba

The Boston Celtics came just win one away from an NBA Finals berth despite their two best players being injured, but they may already be aggressively seeking upgrades for the offseason.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported on Wednesday that the Celtics are interested in Texas center Mo Bamba in next month’s draft and could trade up in order to get him.

The 20-year-old Bamba, who averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks a game in his one season with the Longhorns, just set an NBA Combine record with the largest wingspan ever recorded at 7’10.” While that gives him truly salivating potential as a shot-blocker and interior presence, Bamba is projected to go in the top five, which is far beyond Boston’s current range.

Still, the Celtics, who hold the No. 27 selection, have more than enough future picks and high-upside young players to move up if they so choose, even if they make emerging star Jayson Tatum untouchable in trade talks. Meanwhile, both Aron Baynes and Greg Monroe are free agents this summer, and Al Horford is very well capable of playing the power forward spot. Thus, it’s easy to see Bamba’s potential fit in Boston, especially since they were said to be targeting another star big man not too long ago.