Ainge: Celtics think they'll get player they wanted at No. 1 with No. 3 pick

Cue up the Josh Jackson game tape?

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge, speaking with media after making the swap of the No. 1 pick for the No. 3 pick with the Philadelphia 76ers in Thursday's draft official, said his team will probably come out exactly where they wanted to be.

"We think there's a really good chance the player we'll take at three is the player we would have taken at one," Ainge said Monday, according to the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach.

It's a revealing statement from the longtime executive, one that makes it clear the Celtics had no real intention in selecting Markelle Fultz, the consensus No. 1 now expected to land with the Sixers.

Related: Celts officially trade No. 1 pick to 76ers

Given reports that part of their decision against Fultz was an already crowded Boston backcourt, that likely removes Lonzo Ball from the conversation as well. That leaves either Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum as the likely future Celtic. Another report Monday said the Lakers were closing in on deciding on Ball.

Ainge added that he's hopeful Jackson will be in for a workout Tuesday, while Tatum reportedly visited Monday.

While the chance exists the Lakers scoop up Jackson at No. 2, the aforementioned guard glut may lead one to believe Duke product Tatum would be Boston's backup plan.

Jackson remains the ideal fit however, and logically, the only one of the pair who would've been considered as the top pick. A two-way stud who should be able to play both forward spots in the NBA, Jackson is thought of to have the most star potential in this class beyond Fultz and Ball.