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NBA Draft Rumors: Celtics could make huge offer for Jahlil Okafor

By Jack Crosby

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, right, shares a laugh with General Manager Danny Ainge during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, right, shares a laugh with General Manager Danny Ainge during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics may be ready to pounce on Jahlil Okafor if the Lakers decide to pass on the Duke big man

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For a good amount of time it was widely considered that Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor were the definitive 1-2 picks on the NBA Draft, in whatever order. Now, though, with the emergence of guard D’Angelo Russell up the boards, there’s a chance the Lakers could make him the No. 2 pick, letting Okafor slip to at least No. 3 where the Philadelphia 76ers sit.

Well, not really needing the services of a big man like Okafor, the Boston Celtics are reportedly ready to help their friends from the Eastern Conference out with that issue, should it arise.

According to CSNNE, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned on SportsCenter Thursday morning that if the Lakers decide to go the route of a point guard in Russell, then the Celtics are prepared to make quite the offer to get up to the No. 3 spot and get themselves the national champion.

"Windhorst said NBA executives that he’s talked to think Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will make “a Godfather offer” – one that can’t be refused – to the Sixers for Okafor. Windhorst mentioned Celtics point guard Marcus Smart being included in the offer."

Now matter what, we can always count on Danny Ainge to be the one wanting to make some serious moves, and this is about as serious as you can get. You do have to ask yourself, though, whether or not including Marcus Smart in the deal would be a good move, but some believe that Okafor is a presence in the middle that you simply cannot pass on. Apparently, Ainge has inserted himself into that group.

We’re getting set for an interesting last few hours here before the 2015 NBA Draft gets underway, so really anything can happen at this point.

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