Why Danny Ainge needs to pull trigger, trade for Brandon Ingram

112288 wrote:WEEI

mike petraglia

Brandon Ingram is considered one of the top two players in the upcoming draft. (Robert Hanashiro/USA Today Sports)

Brandon Ingram is considered one of the top two players in the upcoming draft. (Robert Hanashiro/USA Today Sports)
Enough of the talk. Danny Ainge needs to make just one deal. Trade up for one of the top two picks and get Brandon Ingram.

Jahlil Okafor, with his terrific paint presence, still has questions that come with his enormous talent. Like, is he mature enough to handle Boston? Like, did losing 72 games with a franchise going nowhere and precious little talent stunt his growth during a critical period of his NBA development?

Ingram went to Duke and played in a prestige program where winning is ingrained. He still needs to put bulk on his 6-foot-9 frame but can run all over the court and is a legit 3-point shooter.

Okafor also went to Duke but was stained by one of the worst franchises in sports last year. He is an immense offensive talent, but Ingram is a more dynamic player.

If Ainge had gotten one of the top two picks, that's exactly what he would've done. Here's the thing: He has the equity in draft picks (Nos. 3, 16, 23) and talent on roster to move up and get the deal done.

Philly, by most accounts, wants Ben Simmons and its point guard of the future (Kris Dunn) out of this draft. That leaves the Lakers taking Ingram.

Ainge's comments Sunday night to WBZ-TV about thinking about the future and not selling out should be taken with a grain of salt and some serious perspective.

He didn't say he didn't want to make a big trade or shake things up. What he said was he can't be irrational and he has to think long term more than short term. How would trading up to acquire the most dynamic and mature player available in the draft hurt the Celtics in the long term?

It wouldn't.

Don't forget that the Celtics have two more first-round picks to work with. The Sixers have a glut of bigs. The Celtics have a glut of guards. The Celtics could take Dunn and then package a deal for Ingram, either in a three-way with the Lakers, if the Sixers take Ben Simmons, or a straight swap with the Sixers if, in the unlikely scenario, Philly takes Ingram.

There also was a story Tuesday that the Lakers might consider taking 7-footer Dragan Bender as their No. 2 pick and let Ingram fall to the Celtics. Why would they pass up one of the two top consensus picks in the draft for a player who, by all accounts, still needs to physically mature into his NBA body and has had limited playing time overseas?

Answer: They wouldn't. That sounds like classic draft misdirection to sew seeds of hope with the Celtics.

Bender might wind up being a fine NBA starter, but consider what NBADraft.net said about him: "Not a great athlete. Limited leaping ability. Not explosive enough to play as a wing at the next level. At times he looks like a perimeter player trapped in a big man's body. Stronger players can bully him on the post on both ends of the floor. Has to bulk up to play at the next level, and appears to have a naturally skinny body type." And his NBA comp: Nikola Mirotic.

Well, if the Lakers are going to do you that favor, then all of this is moot. But I wouldn't count on that. And why would the Lakers take Bender when they know the haul they could take if they draft Simmons or Ingram?

Point is, if you want Ingram, you can find a way to get it done. It's easier if you trade up, but it still can be done after the fact.

The well-connected Jackie MacMullan doused another hopeful thought for supercharging the Celtics roster this summer when she told WEEI's Ordway, Merloni & Fauria that fans should "forget about" Kevin Durant signing with the Celtics this summer, one year or otherwise. She called it a pipe dream and she's probably right.

OK. If you can't get Durant, set your sights on a player who could turn into that for years to come. After all, isn't that what you said you had to keep in mind this summer? Consider the long term, not just the short term?

Ainge wanted his guys in the summer of 2007 and went out and eventually got them. He made the bold move with Seattle to get Ray Allen. He worked things out with Kevin McHale in Minnesota and brought Kevin Garnett to town.

At this point the question that only Ainge can answer is would he rather have Okafor in his second year or Ingram from the start to take a major step toward Banner 18?

When Ainge watches Ingram, he no doubt loves his 7-foot-4 wing span and the comparisons with Kevin Durant. He knows Ingram can play all over the court. Okafor, a terrific offensive player who occasionally will protect the rim, is not as dynamic. The Celtics were transformed when they acquired Kevin Garnett. Ingram is in the mold of Durant and Garnett. He's the guy the Celtics need, not Okafor.

Both players are future All-Star caliber players, but Ingram can do more for Brad Stevens out of the gate than Okafor. That's what Ainge has to really consider.

The Celtics have a chance to be great next year and get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

They'll be closer with Brandon Ingram than Jahlil Okafor.

112288

arambone wrote:Bender would be great for the Lakers.

kdp59 wrote:is Simmons a SF?