Brian Scalabrine suggested the Celtics would've drafted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander if they didn't trade for Kyrie

https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/celtics/scalabrine-celtics-almost-drafted-shai-gilgeous-alexander


Imagine this trio running down the parquet: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Apparently, it could’ve happened, too — if only the Celtics stayed away from a certain mercurial point guard.

Brian Scalabrine has indicated on recent Celtics telecasts, including Monday’s win against the Thunder, the team would’ve selected Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2018 NBA Draft if it hadn’t traded its pick for Kyrie Irving. The previous summer, the Celtics dealt Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Irving. Cleveland wound up picking with Brooklyn’s selection at No. 8 overall, and took point guard Collin Sexton.

The Celtics were at No. 27, and drafted Robert Williams III. Gilgeous-Alexander went No. 11 overall.

The Globe’s Chad Finn pointed out Scalabrine’s insinuation on Twitter:

"Scal has indicated on recent Celtics broadcasts that he had intel that they would have selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in ‘18 had they not traded the pick in the Kyrie deal. Pretty interesting alternative scenario there."

Another commenter mentioned that Celtics radio play-by-play voice Sean Grande referenced the same possibility when he was filling in on TV recently.

There are several hypothetical tales about Danny Ainge and players he would’ve selected in the NBA Draft if given the opportunity, Most notably, people around Ainge have insisted for years he would’ve taken Kevin Durant with the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, and not Greg Oden. (The Celtics wound up with the No. 5 pick, which they traded for Ray Allen.)

Still, it’s fair to surmise that Scalabrine has solid sources, considering he’s mentioned the possibility on-air multiple times.

Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into one of the best young players in the NBA, averaging 31.5 points per game this season (he dropped 37 against the Celtics Monday). Last summer, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year, $172 million extension with the Thunder.

If only the Celtics could’ve signed him to that contract. Blame Kyrie for everything.



I was adamantly against trading IT for Kyrie. At the time, I felt that although Kyrie's game was more aesthetically pleasing, IT contributed more to winning. I also really didn't like giving up that first round pick as well. Seemed like too much. It was bad enough when I assumed that Sexton would have been the pick, but this is almost unbearable. That said, the NBA is difficult to predict - it's possible Shai, being behind Smart and Rozier, would never have blossomed. Nonetheless, could you imagine getting the Time Lord and Shai in the same draft? Who says Danny couldn't draft...