Predictably, Boston Celtics GM and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he was furious. The Sacramento Kings traded picks with the Portland Trailblazers and took UNC forward Justin Jackson No. 15 overall. But was that always the plan?
We doubt there are any hard feelings between the two teams, as Phoenix got their man and Ainge acknowledged that the Celtics still would have taken Tatum even if they had had the No. 1 pick. "This NBA draft will probably feature 14 or 15 freshmen and one, two, three worldwide teenagers in the first round", said Fraschilla, who sees the draft similar to baseball.
The Celtics were originally scheduled to see Jackson workout in Sacramento last week, according to Deadspin.
"Never talked with Josh".
All of this said, Ainge deserves the benefit of the doubt. "They canceled a workout on us when we flew out to Sacramento, and they just made a decision to cancel it as we flew - just Brad [Stevens] and I and [assistant GM] Mike Zarren flew cross-country".
Tatum is the most NBA-ready player in the draft. That's a lot of pressure if you're Danny Ainge. "But I think that, with all the things we do, from physical, emotional, mental, character, work ethic and their skills ... it's just really hard at 19".
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has a theory on why his team blew the Super Bowl, saying, "Let's say it like this, if I would have stayed in the game - I don't know why I got out the game, actually - but if I would have stayed in the game, I would have got MVP". Collins was selected by the Atlanta Hawks and Giles was selected by the Kings via the Portland trade.
China asked U.S. officials to remove THAAD from South Korea
Ahead of the talks, President Donald Trump tweeted that Beijing's efforts to sway its wayward ally weren't working. Even direct talks with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un - which seem less likely after the death of Otto F.
"There's nothing to do in Sacramento", Ainge said with a smile.
"I think it's been well-documented what kind of a person Jayson is", Stevens said, via the Boston Globe.
"Tatum is a 6'8" freshman with a 6'11" wingspan. Tatum's more of a pure scorer, and should be a big part of the Celtics' offense right away; Jackson is a shutdown defender. Those are the players more likely to don Red Claws uniforms next year, particularly with the addition of 16th and 17th roster spots available for two-way contracts between the G League and National Basketball Association.
Jackson, a 6-foot-8 forward, played three seasons in Chapel Hill and was named the ACC Player of the Year last season after averaging 18.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
"Solid pick", said Benoit, who has a tattoo of a shamrock on his right biceps and Celtics mascot Lucky the Leprechaun on his left calf.
"I love competition, and I love proving people wrong", Jackson said.
Asked how confident he is that the Celtics can make a splashy move this summer, Ainge responded, "I'm confident". His mid-range shooting range, considered "old-school", is probably the best of the big-time players. Maybe, but this isn't the first time a player has told a team he didn't want to play for them without actually saying it.
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