Celtics To Trade For Garland At No. 3; Team Prepares For Irving Exit?

Boston Celtics reportedly want to trade for the no. 3 pick, and Darius Garland is the favorite. This could mean that the team is preparing for Kyrie Irving’s exit.

The Celtics and Kyrie Irving have been in the news since the loss to Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs. Now that the 2019 NBA Draft is fast approaching and Irving is apparently close to signing with the Brooklyn Nets, Boston has set its eyes on upcoming rookie Darius Garland.

While it is too early to assume that the C’s are already devising a plan B for Irving’s exit by targeting Garland, sources claimed that the team is willing to push hard and trade for the no. 3 pick with the hopes of landing the Vanderbilt guard.

Boston has no. 14, 22 and 51 in the upcoming NBA draft. Their trade could be designed to be a package in order to get no. 4, a position that would increase Boston’s chances of landing Garland. However, reports claim that the Knicks have been working Garland out and considering picking him at no. 3.

Darius Garland will conduct a last-minute workout in Tarrytown with the New York Knicks tomorrow, a source told ESPN. Garland is in serious consideration for the No. 3 pick. Minnesota, Boston, Chicago are teams looking at potentially trading up to No. 4 with Garland in mind.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 18, 2019

Should that scenario actualized, Boston is unlikely to still push for the no. 4 to take RJ Barrett as they already have multiple forwards in their current roster.

The no. 4 pick is a contest since the Timberwolves, Bulls and Hawks are reportedly targeting what the Pelicans could get, which was the result of the Anthony Davis massive trade. Source claimed that Jarrett Culver is the favorite for the selection, according to Sporting News.

Source: The Atlanta Hawks have been aggressive exploring trades packaging the No. 8 and 10 picks to move up in the draft. Their offer to the Knicks for the No. 3 pick was apparently rebuffed. The Pelicans are considering the possibility of trading the No. 4 pick for 8+10.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 18, 2019

With Boston now reportedly looking to get the Garland by trading for the no. 3 spot, it is hard not to assume that the Celtics may have been preparing for Irving’s exit. Logically, Garland also plays the same position as Irving, and it is not new that the All-Star point guard is continuously being linked with the Nets.

More weight was added to the Irving drama as league sources claimed that he has already been signalling his exit to the Celtics’ office, The Bleacher Report noted.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Irving has been "forthright ... with private and public signals that he will leave the organization in free agency—likely for the Brooklyn Nets."

Whether Boston appears to be planning things up in case Irving would really leave or not, it is very likely that the Celtics will have a new look next season with or without Irving.