It’s a great time to be a Boston Celtics fan. Why not? They just got a 1-0 series lead against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in their Eastern Conference finals rematch.

Despite missing stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, this year’s Celtics team look a lot better than the Isaiah Thomas-led team 12 months ago. This group is fearless and more dynamic with young guns Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Jayson Tatum leading the way. Brad Stevens appears to have finally found a way to stop the unstoppable locomotive that is James in his third postseason go-around with the King.

All of a sudden, there’s a different vibe in the air. This Celtics team could actually pull it off.

Of course, only a fool would rule out LeBron this early in the series. Everybody knows that James is capable of putting up big-time numbers, especially when his team’s back against the wall. He’s the best basketball player on the planet for a reason.

Still, regardless of the outcome of the series, the Celtics are here to stay. They are expected to be a perennial title contender for the next decade, and it’s all because of the genius named Danny Ainge.

In fact, fans could appreciate Ainge’s masterwork more at the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery this Tuesday. Thanks to another shrewd pre-draft trade involving Jason Tatum and 2017 No.1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, the Celtics will have a shot at actually landing another top caliber prospect in this year’s draft.

How did it happen?

Aside from the draft rights to Tatum, the Celtics also received a future first-round pick from the Sixers in that deal. That pick could be the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2018 first-rounder or, if not conveyed this year, or between the Sacramento Kings’ 2019 first-rounder or the Sixers’ 2019 first-rounder, whichever is higher.

And because the Lakers played a little bit above expectations, their 2019 top selection has only three percent chance of landing in the top three. The Sixers will get the pick if it falls outside the top five, and the Celtics will very likely get the Kings 2019 selection.

The odds are certainly slim, but miracles do happen in the draft lottery.

Just ask the 2008 Chicago Bulls with the eighth worst record and the 2014 Cleveland Cavaliers with the ninth worst record. Both won the top pick in the draft lottery by the way.

Why it’s a big deal to land a top-3 pick?

Well, it puts the Celtics in position to get Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton. Although Luka Doncic looks like another prospect with a transcending talent, the 7-foot-1 big is the missing piece for Boston to become a complete team. The Celtics are already expected to have a loaded backcourt next season with Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier. They also boast a plethora of talented wing players (Tatum, Brown, Hayward and Marcus Morris) and an efficient stretch-center in Al Horford.

What the Celtics are missing is a reliable low-post player who can draw multiple defenders inside.

The 19-year-old Ayton proved to be a problem down-low for many college teams because of his size, mobility and a soft touch around the basket. In addition, this year’s top prospect also has a reliable three-ball (34 percent), making him another potential floor-stretch for Stevens. He still needs to improve his defensive awareness, though he’s already an elite rim protector (1.9 blocks per game) at the college level.

Breaking the NBA system

Just imagine how frightening the Celtics roster for next season can be if they add Ayton into the mix. A starting lineup of Irving, Hayward, Tatum, Ayton, and Horford with Brown, Morris, and Rozier coming off the bench would destroy any matchup there is, including the loaded Golden State Warriors.

This scenario would essentially break the current status quo.

A 50+ win team isn’t supposed to add another transcending talent at the draft, but Ainge has been toying around the NBA system for quite some time. He always gets results. It’s impressive. It’s unprecedented. It’s the Celtics version of Philly’s process.
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