Celtics Draft History Under Danny Ainge

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BOSTON – Thursday will mark the 13th straight draft by the Boston Celtics under Danny Ainge’s watch.

Like most franchises, Ainge has struck gold with some picks.

Al Jefferson, the 18th overall in pick in 2004 is one that immediately comes to mind.

Ainge, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, has also managed to make an impact in the draft by acquiring players such as future all-star Rajon Rondo, the 21st overall pick in 2006 from Phoenix as well as Kendrick Perkins, the 25th overall selection in 2003 from Memphis.

Trading away drafted players isn’t foreign to Ainge as well.

One of the most significant moves Ainge has made since becoming part of the Celtics’ front office was trading away Jeff Green, the 5th overall pick in 2007, to Seatttle (now Oklahoma City) in a deal that netted them Ray Allen who was a key part of Boston’s NBA-best 17th NBA title in 2008.

But how does Ainge’s body of work in terms of the draft shape up?

Here’s a look at all the draft picks (not including Rondo, Marcus Banks or Kendrick Perkins because they weren’t drafted by Boston but acquired via trade) made by the Celtics under Ainge since he moved to the front office prior in 2003.

2014: Marcus Smart (1,6); James Young (1,17)

Smart named to NBA all-rookie second team; Young spent most of first year in the D-League.

2013: Lucas Nogueira (1,16).

Traded to Dallas along with two, second round picks in exchange for Kelly Olynyk on draft night.

2012: Jared Sullinger (1,21); Fab Melo (1,22)

In three seasons, Sullinger has averaged 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game; Melo a bust even by late first-round pick standards.

2011: MarShon Brooks (1,25); E’Twaun Moore (2,55)

Brooks traded on draft night to New Jersey (now Brooklyn) for a 2014 second round pick and the No. 27 pick of the draft, JaJuan Johnson. Both are out of the league now; Moore is a career 5.4 points per game scorer primarily as a third guard.

2010: Avery Bradley (1,19); Luke Harangody (2,52)

Bradley emerged as one of the league’s best on-the-ball defenders; Harangody’s NBA career lasted two years and he now plays professionally with the Spanish ACB club Valencia Basket.

2009: Lester Hudson (2,58)

Has been in and out of the NBA since being drafted, signed a multi-year deal this past spring with the Los Angeles Clippers led by ex-Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

2008: J.R. Giddens (1,30); Semi Erden (2,60)

Giddens spent the bulk of his professional career playing overseas; Erden played two seasons (one in Boston, the other in Cleveland) before returning home to play in Turkey.

2007: Jeff Green (1,5); Gabe Pruitt (2,32)

Green was trade bait to lure in Ray Allen from Seattle (now Oklahoma City); Pruitt didn’t last long with the Celtics which had Rajon Rondo, Eddie House and Sam Cassell ahead of him on the depth chart.

2006: Randy Foye (1,7)

Was part of six-player trade on draft night with Portland, the Blazers immediately sent him to Minnesota where he went on to earn a spot on the NBA’s all-rookie first team.

2005: Gerald Green (1,18); Ryan Gomes (2,50); Orien Greene (2,53)

Highlight of Green's career with the Celtics was winning the 2007 Slam Dunk competition; Gomes was named to the NBA’s all-rookie second team; Greene played two seasons (one in Boston, one in Indiana) before becoming an overseas journeyman who last played in Mexico.

2004: Al Jefferson (1,15); Delonte West (1,24); Tony Allen (1,25); Justin Reed (2,40)

Jefferson is a career 17 points per game scorer, the key piece Boston had to part with in order to acquire Kevin Garnett in 2007; West’s versatility and toughness made him a fan favorite; Allen has become a perennial selection to the all-NBA defensive team; Reed played sparingly for Boston before being traded to Minnesota about halfway through his second season.

2003: Brandon Hunter (2,56)

Averaged 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 36 games as a rookie with the Celtics.

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