The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly considering drafting D’Angelo Russell instead of Jahlil Okafor with the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday night’s draft. If that happens, it could have a major effect on what the Boston Celtics are planning to do.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Thursday that the Celtics are prepared to offer the Philadelphia 76ers a massive package for the No. 3 pick in the draft if the Lakers end up taking Russell.
Wow … @WindhorstESPN just said that if Okafor slips to 3, the Celtics are ready to send a monster package to Philly to get him.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 25, 2015
There have already been rumors that the Celtics are exploring the possibility of moving up in the draft and/or improving their frontcourt. Danny Ainge has never been afraid to make big moves around draft time, which is the reason Boston ended up winning a championship in 2008.
Windhorst also noted that other teams would want the No. 3 pick if the Lakers take Russell, so the Celtics would have to be the highest bidder. The Sixers already have Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, and both were drafted early in the first round under the assumption that they could become NBA stars.
For what it’s worth, Rick Pitino compared Russell to one of the greatest players in Lakers history earlier this week.
Again, this all assumes the Lakers are, indeed, leaning toward Russell over Okafor. That would make more sense if they were able to pull off a trade for the veteran center they have reportedly had their eyes on. A lot — or very little — can still happen with hours to go until the draft.
H/T MassLive.com
