Pierce recommends Celtics look into trading No. 1 pick
Paul Pierce is taking partial credit for his former Boston Celtics team securing the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft. As far as what becomes of that pick, The Truth is also adding his two cents on the best course of action for the franchise.
"You trade this pick, because he (Markelle Fultz) cannot help the Celtics get over the top. The window is now," Pierce said Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN's The Jump.
"You're a 50-win team, you're the No. 1 seed. You have to build on this momentum. If you can acquire a Paul George, Jimmy Butler, or Gordon (Hayward) from Utah, you have to do it."
Hayward is entering unrestricted free agency, with Pierce acknowledging that Boston should make a bid to try and sign him outright, then use the pick as bait for someone the caliber of George or Butler.
"You need these guys," Pierce added. "You want to get over the top. Boston doesn't praise winning the Eastern Conference. They're going for a championship,"
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has already stated that he will "explore the value" of the top pick, and that it was also being shopped around ahead of February's trade deadline, although where that pick would fall was obviously unknown at the time.
Boston opens the East finals Wednesday night on its home floor against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.