The Nets are bad. They may get the #1 pick for the Celtics

[robbie84]

They're off to an 0-4 start and play Atlanta (on the 2nd night of back to back in ATL) next.
The Celtics have their unprotected picks basically for the next 3 years.

This may turn out to be one of the biggest hauls in the modern NBA for the Celtics by trading Pierce+KG.
They also have the Dallas pick which is top 7 protected, and there's a solid chance that Mavs pick ends up #8, #9 or #10.

This would put Ainge even further up there with the great GM's right?
What are people's thoughts on this situation and do most agree that Brooklyn are looking like a bottom 5 team?

[yosemiteben]

This would put Ainge even further up there with the great GM's right?

Errr...in my mind it just makes Billy King look like an even greater failure of a GM.

[eagereyez]

Is the Nets pick unprotected?

[Ball4life32]

I will be so pissed. Nets started slowly the last two seasons...getting my hopes up to get a high pick. And they ended up making the playoffs both years.

[gizardoe]

Yeah the Nets don't look good. Still can't believe they didnt have those picks at least top 3 protected.

[robbie84]

Is the Nets pick unprotected?

yes unprotected 16, pick swap 17' (unprotected), unprotected 18'.

[Effigy]

It's possible, but difficult. The Nets won't be tanking at the end of the year, unlike the other teams down there.

[naabzor]

They need to start Il Mago to have a chance at the PO.

[rmal8852]

I will be so pissed. Nets started slowly the last two seasons...getting my hopes up to get a high pick. And they ended up making the playoffs both years.

Yah, but they backed in last year just like we did. The East, especially the teams that were below us and them last year, is significantly better. Indiana, Miami and the Knicks especially sucked last year, but all have great chances of making the playoffs this year, leaving the Nets for sure and possibly us in the lottery.

[Texas Chuck]

It's possible, but difficult. The Nets won't be tanking at the end of the year, unlike the other teams down there.

yeah this is the key point. Brooklyn isn't very good, but will at least be trying to win. Other teams that are out of the playoff mix will be actively trying not to win. We saw some epic tank jobs by teams last year trying to hold on to picks with protections or just trying to increase their ping pong balls.

Boston is in great shape with those picks for sure, but I wouldn't concede worst record in the league to Brooklyn just yet.

[OrlandoNed]

Billy King is a national treasure. He's the George Washington on the Mt. Rushmore of worst GMs in the history of organized sports.

[Zaschrona]

Celtics are indeed outsourcing their tanking to another team in the next 3 seasons. It may not be the worst idea to pull the plug and tank this season for Celtics as well though.

[HoopsterJones]

Billy King is a poor man's Isiah Thomas as far as GM's go.

[Dan Z]

All these picks are good, but its hard to judge until we see what Ainge does with them.

[Celtic Fan]

even if they have the worst record, it all comes down to the lotto balls. That said, I'd love to see the C's get at least a top 3 pick. They have a ton of great role players, they just need an all-star or two.... ie the hardest part to complete.

[laika]

This is an unusually big year for traded picks. It also looks like a pretty shallow draft. The lottery will be huge this year.

[Doddage]

I don't understand how Prok can be a billionaire businessman when he does things like put BK in charge for 5+ years.

[lilswift01]

Celtics badly need a top pick. They are not that good and also not that fun to watch unless IT goes HAMM.

[laploutocratie]

And as we converse in this thread, Billy King continues to laugh at his desk as the Nets' GM.

[MaxRider]

i hear the Kentucky center is really good