Three years later, Brad Stevens has yet to make a first-round pick since succeeding Danny Ainge as the Boston Celtics’ president of basketball operations. Maybe that will change after finishing this regular season 64-18, the best record in the NBA. They will arrive on the counter at No. 30, the last selection of the first round.
As part of a crucial point leading up to draft night on June 26, the league has finalized his tiebreakers.
The relevant outcome for the Celtics involves a pick they acquired via the Dallas Mavericks (via the Sacramento Kings). This is a selection added to their asset pool on 2023 draft night in exchange for a move down to the second round.
The Mavericks tied the New York Knicks’ 50-32 record this regular season. Dallas won the tiebreaker, meaning it will have the 24th pick in the first round.
The two then trade places in the second round, so the selection going from the Mavericks to Boston in the second round is one spot lower than if New York had won its tiebreaker with Dallas.
On a positive note for the Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers lost the 48th overall selection to free agency tampering, dropping them to 54th overall.
The next item to settle before the NBA draft is the lottery. This will take place on May 12. This is where the order in which the first 14 will be selected will be determined.
This year’s NBA Draft is the first iteration that will take place over two nights, with the second round having its own day in the spotlight.
Further reading
Celtics ‘ready for battle’ in Game 2 vs. Heat
Jaylen Brown on confronting Caleb Martin: ‘I got my guy’s back’
The keys to Kristaps Porzingis containing Bam Adebayo and what to watch in Game 2
Celtics Bench Stars on his role in Game 1 win over Heat: ‘An identity of our team’
Jayson Tatum discusses his first career playoff triple-double: ‘a great game’
Celtics protect the floor in dominant display in Game 1 against Heat
Kristaps Porzingis makes it clear what the Celtics’ mindset is heading into the playoffs
How are the Heat coping without Jimmy Butler? Joe Mazzulla intervenes
Brad Stevens addresses potential extension with Derrick White
The Celtics take on the challenge of going beyond the most talented
