The Boston Celtics are in a great place right now.
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Not only are they fighting for a chance to upend the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, they were also awarded the No. 1 overall pick in this summer's NBA Draft.
Taking full advantage of the payout stemming from Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett's move from Boston to the Nets, the Celtics find themselves with yet another draft-day conundrum: keep the pick or package it for a proven star.
Last year, Boston fans were clamoring for president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to package his three first-round picks — including No. 3 overall, which the team used to take Jaylen Brown out of California — for a top-level player.
The Celtics did not make a move, and ultimately took Brown, Guerschon Yabusele out of France, and Ante Zizic out of Croatia with their three first-round picks.
While Brown made an impact this season with his athleticism and high basketball I.Q., the other two could be far removed from their chance to play on an NBA roster.
Team co-owner Wyc Grousbeck hinted Tuesday night that the Celtics may feel more comfortable keeping the pick again this year for financial reasons.
“We have plenty of time to decide what to do, but I would imagine we’ll make the pick,” Grousbeck said, via Boston.com . “In this day’s NBA, picks are very, very valuable. You’ve got a young person you can help mold and grow with. Bring him in before the max salaries kick in years later. Makes a lot of sense to keep these picks.”
Two possibilities will arise if Boston does, in fact, make the pick. The team could actually draft someone it wants to mold and develop into its own player, or the Celtics could make the pick for another team, and swap for a player after making the selection. The second scenario is quite common in the NBA Draft.
If the Celtics do keep the pick and draft a player for themselves like Grousbeck indicated, then who should it be?
Markelle Fultz is pretty much universally rated as the top prospect in this year's draft. Many believe the Celtics will take him. But there appear to be other options out there — better fits — that could help Boston immediately.
Fultz, a point guard, would have to battle for minutes behind Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart next season. While he has the ability to play off the ball as well, his size and skill set are better suited at point guard.
If Boston does select Fultz, it likely means the team will let Thomas walk when he becomes a free agent in 2018. Fans may not like that.
The Celtics are pretty deep at every position thanks to strong drafts and underrated free agent acquisitions. One area of need is in the paint. Kelly Olynyk is a restricted free agent after this season, and a team could make a big offer after his breakout postseason performance.
Boston could take a long look at Arizona's Lauri Markkanen, a 7-foot, 230-pound power forward who can score in the paint or step outside and hit 3-pointers. He would immediately strengthen the roster and give coach Brad Stevens the sort of weapon he craves.
The Celtics could also use a slasher, someone who can get to the basket and fight off defenders. Kansas' Josh Jackson or Duke's Jayson Tatum seem like the best options to fill that need.
Despite some off-the-court issues, Jackson is the most talented player in this draft. At 6-8, he can run the point, hit open shots from beyond the arc, slash to the basket, dish out assists and rebound. He is the most complete player in the entire draft class. The Celtics should take Jackson if they are comfortable with his character.
Trading the pick is an option as well. The Celtics have been chasing after the likes of Kevin Love, Paul George and Jimmy Butler for a couple seasons now, and they have the ammo to make a move.
Unfortunately for Boston, all three of those teams are in the same conference. Cleveland certainly won't trade one of its best players to its most dangerous competitor, and the Bulls and Pacers seem determined to keep Butler and George.
Still, something could open up for Boston. Whether it's Portland's Damian Lillard, New Orleans' DeMarcus Cousins, or (cough, cough) Russell Westbrook, the Celtics should remain open to bringing in another star.
This could be another enthralling offseason for Celtics fans. But they first have to take care of the Cavaliers.