The NBA announced Wednesday that the Los Angeles Clippers will lose five future first‑round draft picks, beginning in 2029, after an investigation found the franchise attempted to circumvent the salary cap in signing Kawhi Leonard. While the penalties directly affect the Clippers’ ability to build through the draft, they also create a strategic opening for the Boston Celtics.
Why the Celtics care about the 2028 pick
The Celtics hold a contingent interest in the Clippers’ 2028 first‑round selection as part of the draft compensation package they received when Boston traded forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this summer. The three‑team arrangement—Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia—means that the exact destination of the 2028 pick depends on a series of swaps and protections.
If the Clippers’ 2028 pick lands in the lottery (picks 1‑16), Boston will have the right to swap its own draft position with the Clippers. The San Antonio Spurs already hold a swap right with Boston from the Derrick White trade, so Boston could first exchange its slot with the Spurs and then deliver the resulting pick to the Clippers. Should Philadelphia’s pick also fall early in the lottery (picks 1‑8), Boston could elect to swap for that selection instead, though the 76ers are projected to remain a strong contender.
Potential outcomes for Boston
More likely, Boston’s 2028 draft position will be tied to the Clippers’ pick. If the Clippers finish outside the lottery (picks 17‑30), the Celtics would receive the Los Angeles pick outright, giving Boston two non‑lottery first‑round selections. This would still allow Boston to consider swapping its own slot with the Spurs, a team that reached the Western Conference Finals last season and is expected to stay competitive.
Either scenario gives the Celtics a flexible set of assets to shape their roster, whether by moving up in the draft, adding another high‑profile player, or leveraging the picks in future trades.
How the penalties affect the Clippers
The loss of first‑round picks for 2029‑2033 severely limits Los Angeles’ ability to rebuild through the draft. In addition, the NBA suspended owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, adding further uncertainty to the franchise’s decision‑making core.
Without its own picks for the foreseeable future, the Clippers may rely heavily on younger assets acquired in the Leonard trade to Toronto, such as Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and Toronto’s future selections. Alternatively, the team could pursue a roster overhaul aimed at restocking draft capital through trades.
What Boston may do next
Boston is unlikely to wait for the full impact of the penalties to play out. By next summer, the Celtics should have a robust collection of future first‑round picks, including the 2028 Clippers selection and an unprotected 2031 Philadelphia pick. Those assets could become key pieces in the hunt for another marquee talent.
How the Celtics ultimately use these picks could influence how the Brown trade is judged in hindsight. The Clippers’ sanctions have introduced a new layer of uncertainty, and Boston hopes that volatility will attract trade partners willing to help the team upgrade its roster.
Bottom line for Boston fans
The NBA’s disciplinary action against the Clippers may prove to be a boon for the Celtics’ long‑term planning. With the potential to acquire an additional first‑round pick and the flexibility to swap positions in the draft, Boston’s front office has more tools than ever to build a championship‑contending roster.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
