A Look Into the Future of the Celtics and 76ers

“2013 Boston Celtics 1 and 2013 Philadelphia 76ers” by Michael Tipton is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Just a couple of days ago, the Philadelphia 76ers traded for the number one overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. They traded multiple picks to the Boston Celtics, who now move back to the number three spot. Overall, I feel like this move was great for both teams. All indications are that the 76ers will take Markelle Fultz number one. This tells me that they’re ready to take the next step right now. The Boston Celtics get a great deal by adding more picks. Their stockpile of picks gives them a few different options when it comes to building their team. This team is the closest to catching the Cavs in the Eastern Conference, and this trade will allow them to take a step closer. The future for both teams is looking bright. Let’s take a deeper look into what we should expect from these teams moving forward.

Boston Celtics Future: 

Moving back in this draft puts Boston in a dream situation. This draft has multiple players who I think will be stars in the NBA. If they decide to draft someone, moving back to number three doesn’t hurt them. After the 76ers take Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson, Lonzo Ball, De’Aaron Fox, and other potential stars may still be on the board when their pick comes around. Those are some pretty good options. Drafting a potential star and putting him on a team that earned the number one seed last year, would only make them better.

The Celtics gained an extra first round pick for moving back just two spots, which could be used if they decide to go a different route. There’s been a lot of talk about the Celtics using their picks to trade for Jimmy Butler, or maybe even Anthony Davis. A trade like that gives the Celtics the second star they’ve been wanting. If they decide not to draft, but go after an already proven star, they have the ability to do it.

The talk about Isaiah Thomas being out in Boston is interesting. Will they give him a huge contract? Or will they ship him elsewhere? I think it’d be best for Boston to keep him. Getting a top talent in the draft, or trading for another star would complete what Boston is trying to do with their roster. Getting rid of Thomas would defeat that.

There are so many possibilities for the Celtics right now. They’ve got options in the draft, through a trade, or in free-agency. With so many different options, let’s take a look at just one possible scenario. The Celtics keep Isaiah Thomas, draft Josh Jackson at number three overall, and sign Gordon Hayward. This instantly gives the Celtics a core that can be among the top Eastern Conference teams for at least a few years. I think regardless of which way the Celtics decide to go, they’ll be well off going into next season and into the future.

76ers Future:

Adding Markelle Fultz to the mix will give the 76ers an incredible line up if individuals and the team rise to their potential. A starting line up of Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid, has the potential to be scary a couple years down the road. Covington is the oldest among this starting group, at the age of just 26. Saric and Embiid are 23, Simmons is 20, and Fultz is just 19.

Imagine 3-4 years from now. This young group has played together for a few seasons, probably making the playoffs once or twice. They’ve got three or four All-stars between the ages of 22-27, all of whom are in their prime. We’re looking at a possible superteam. The process has been completed. Although they’re giving up a small part of their future to grab Fultz, 76ers fans should be excited about this move.

One of the keys to their future, is the health of their star players. Embiid has only played 31 games in three seasons. Ben Simmons also didn’t play his first year because of injury. Embiid and Simmons still have to prove they can be great NBA players. What we’ve seen in 31 games from Embiid, shows us he can be a superstar, but I don’t want to give him that title until I’ve seen a bigger body of work from him.

If these players live up to their potential, we’ll be looking at a team contending for championships in no time. LeBron James and the Cavs still rule the Eastern Conference, but LeBron’s not going to be here forever. As he gets older and declines, the 76ers get older, but move into their primes.

Possible Celtics, 76ers Rivalry?

The future of both the Celtics and the 76ers starts now. Both teams can load up their rosters with players who will put them where they want to be. Celtics and 76ers fans should be excited for what’s about to happen with their NBA team. The Eastern Conference and the NBA as a whole, are about to get a whole lot more interesting. I can see both of these teams being true contenders within the next few years. Both teams will be great, and they’ll constantly be battling against each other. A rivalry between these two teams would be great for the NBA. I’m excited for what’s about to happen. We should sit back, enjoy the show, and watch these two teams grow into Eastern Conference powerhouses and NBA championship contenders.