Boston Celtics might end up with seven first-round picks in next three drafts

The Boston Celtics are on a course that could have them accumulating an unprecedented number of first-round picks over the next three seasons.

The Celtics franchise and its GM, Danny Ainge, are notorious for the high number of picks they own. They got them all from trades with other franchises during their rebuilding phase.

The first trade that set the rebuild theme for the Celtics was done in June 2013 when they got three first-round selections (2014, 2016, 2018) and the right to swap first-round picks in 2017 from the Nets, in exchange for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry. With that, the Celtics started amassing selections from both rounds of future drafts, and with that, they built a team that was the first seed in the Eastern Conference this past season.

As for right now, with the trade that should be official today for the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Boston has a unique opportunity. If things go its way, it could possess seven first-round picks in the next three drafts.

Celtics with potential for seven first-round picks in next three drafts. Updated glance at pick surplus: pic.twitter.com/Mw8Fd2Qv31

— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) June 18, 2017

As we learned, for its first pick, Boston received the 76ers‘ third pick, and the Los Angeles Lakers selection in the 2018 Draft. However, that pick is protected from 2-5, and if the Lakers select out of that range, the pick will return to Philadelphia, and the Celtics will receive the unprotected Sacramento pick in 2019.

Over the next three drafts, the Celtics are in a good position picks-wise. In 2017, as things stand right now, they have the third selection in the first round. In 2018, they have Brooklyn's pick, their own pick and the Lakers pick if it falls between second and fifth. In 2019, they have their own picks, possibly the Sacramento unprotected pick (if the LAL pick from 2018 does not fall in the proposed range), a pick from Memphis (top-8 protected) and a pick from the Clippers (top-15 protected).

It is, however, unknown what moves Ainge will pull. There are many rumors going around, many possible trades for Bulls star Jimmy Butler, or Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis. They are still rumors, but Ainge is known for pulling the trigger on some surprising moves, so it would not be unprecedented if Boston trades that third selection.