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Spurs Rumors: Celtics included top draft picks in Kawhi Leonard offer

By Rob Wolkenbrod

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 29: Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is pictured during an introductory press conference for Celtics first-round draft pick Robert Williams in Boston on June 29, 2018. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 29: Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is pictured during an introductory press conference for Celtics first-round draft pick Robert Williams in Boston on June 29, 2018. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics apparently served up some of their top draft picks to the San Antonio Spurs in a Kawhi Leonard offer.

Before the Kawhi Leonard trade, the Boston Celtics were in the mix for the controversial San Antonio Spurs star. However, anything they offered was pick-laden and obviously did not suit what the Silver and Black wanted, since an all-star headlined package went the other way.

Well, according to Zach Lowe on The Lowe Post, Boston did indeed offer picks for Leonard, but they were protected 2019 first-round picks from the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Lowe said he thinks all of them were in the deal (h/t Real GM).

“And by the way, as all the reporting from this sort of trickled in, I think the Celtics offered most of their best draft picks. I don’t think the Celtics just offered (and said) ‘You could have a bunch of our picks.’ I think some of the picks they’re owed, at least two of the picks, if not all of them that they own from other teams, including the Kings, Grizzlies and Clippers. I think those were all in the deal.

“And the Spurs were like ‘Nah, we don’t want that.'”

Also, San Antonio had no interest in a rebuild or to take young player-heavy or pick-laden offers. Thus, they went with DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and the protected 2019 first-round pick from the Toronto Raptors.

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If the Spurs took an offer from Boston, and it contained all three of those selections, it would have carried the following protections:

  • Clippers: The Celtics receive the Clippers’ 2019 first-round pick if it falls outside of the lottery; if it does, the pick will have a lottery protection in 2020; if this continues past 2020, the Celtics will receive a 2022 second-round pick.
  • Grizzlies: The Celtics receive the Grizzlies’ 2019 first-round pick, if it falls outside of No. 1-8 in 2019 or No. 1-6 in 2020; if neither happens, it becomes an unprotected 2021 pick.
  • Kings: The Celtics receive the more favorable of Philadelphia’s or Sacramento’s 2019 first-round picks; if the Kings land the No. 1 overall pick, the 76ers will receive the less favorable of the two selections.

The Kings pick seems likely to convey in 2019, but Memphis’ does not and it could be that way until 2021. There’s a risk for Los Angeles’ selection to become a second-round pick, as even with a talented team in the Western Conference, it’s possible the Clippers fail to make the postseason for consecutive years.

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Boston’s official offer for Leonard remains unknown, but if all three picks were involved, the Spurs declined a chance at a rebuild. Instead, they will look to remain relevant in the Western Conference.

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