NBA Draft Lottery Yields Unfavorable Result for Celtics

While the draft lottery didn't produce the outcome the Celtics hoped for, their consolation prize softens the blow.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

When the NBA held its annual end-of-season random drawing to determine tiebreakers and help sort out this year's draft order, the outcome involving the Spurs and Rockets broke favorably for the Celtics.

Thanks to a 2020 trade with Houston, Boston had the former's second-round pick, provided it fell outside the top 32. With the Rockets and San Antonio finishing tied for the second-worst record in the league at 22-60, one will come on the clock at 32, and the other will select at 33.

The tiebreaker between these two teams from Texas determined that if neither had a top-four pick, Houston would have a higher draft choice than the Spurs. Whoever goes first in the opening round will select 33rd in the second.

So, San Antonio getting the No. 1 pick, and winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, means they'll draft 33rd in the second round, and the Rockets retain the 32nd overall selection.

Fortunately for the Celtics, their consolation prize is the 35th pick, just two back of where they hoped to end up.

As previously detailed, that's thanks to having the rights to the Trail Blazers' second-round selection. Tanking, Portland lost nine of its last ten games, finishing the season 33-49, the fifth-worst record in the NBA.

With Boston trading three-straight first-round picks, including this year's, having a top-five second-round choice is a helpful asset that could turn into a rotation player on a rookie contract.

The restrictive nature of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement makes having a player who fits that description even more valuable, especially with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown eligible for $318 million and $295 million max contracts, respectively.

Further Reading

With Defense Key to Celtics Staying a Step Ahead of Heat, Joe Mazzulla Confirms Robert Williams Sticking in Starting Lineup

The Celtics are Motivated to Win a Championship for Al Horford, 'The Guy We've Followed All Season'

Al Horford Discusses Series-Long Battle with Joel Embiid: 'I Had to Put My Imprint in the Series'

Celtics React to Jayson Tatum's Historical Game 7 Performance: 'There's Nothing They Could Do'

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Relationship with Celtics Fans: 'I Love Being Here'

Jaylen Brown Salutes TD Garden Crowd After Game 7: 'It Was Amazing'

Jayson Tatum Discusses Historic Game 7 Performance: 'That's When I Play My Best'

Here's What Stood Out in Game 7 Win vs. Sixers: Celtics Save Their Best Performance for When They Needed it Most

Jaylen Brown Discusses Whether Making an All-NBA Team Provides Clarity About His Future

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Earn All-NBA Honors; Here's What That Means for Them and the Celtics