Regarded as one of the most successful NBA franchises in history, the Boston Celtics have amassed 17 NBA championships, the most in league history. However, even a team with such a storied past can make mistakes when it comes to the NBA Draft. One such blunder came in 1958 when they selected Bennie Swain as the 8th overall pick, passing on Hal Greer who went on to have a Hall of Fame career.
Another misstep occurred in 1975 when the Celtics chose Tom Boswell as the 17th overall pick, instead of selecting Gus Williams who would become an NBA champion and All-Star. Similarly, in 1976 Boston picked Norm Cook with the 16th overall selection, missing out on the opportunity to draft future scoring machine Alex English. These errors in judgment serve as reminders that even the greatest of NBA franchises are not immune to draft-day regrets.
Never able to clinch an NBA championship title, English still managed to elevate the Nuggets to a level of offensive prowess rarely seen in NBA history. Throughout his 11 seasons with the franchise, he averaged an impressive 25.9 points per game while shooting at a remarkable 50.9% accuracy rate.
In a move that would haunt them for years to come, the Boston Celtics passed on the opportunity to pick up the talented Tim Hardaway Sr. in the draft, opting instead for Michael Smith. Smith’s two-season stint with the Celtics saw him playing only 112 games and averaging a mere 4.9 points per game. On the flip side, Hardaway went on to have a stellar career with multiple All-Star and All-NBA Team selections, showcasing the missed potential by the Celtics.
The trend of drafting missteps continued for the Celtics in 2020 when they selected Aaron Nesmith over Tyrese Maxey, passing up on the chance to add a promising young point guard to their roster. While Nesmith struggled initially with Boston, performing better after a trade to Indiana, Maxey flourished in the league with impressive statistics.
In another regretful trade move, the Celtics let go of Chauncey Billups, who went on to achieve great success in the league, in exchange for Kenny Anderson. This decision proved costly as Billups became an NBA champion and multiple-time All-Star after leaving Boston.
Finally, the Celtics parted ways with rookie Joe Johnson in exchange for Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers, a trade that would come back to haunt them as Johnson blossomed into a star player in the league. Boston’s history of missed opportunities and regretful trades serves as a cautionary tale in the NBA.
While some other pieces were involved in the trade, Johnson emerged as the shining star. Over the course of 18 seasons, he established himself as one of the most formidable offensive players in the league, excelling in crucial moments. With seven All-Star appearances and one All-NBA Team selection under his belt, Johnson peaked as a dominant scorer, averaging 25.0 points per game in 2007.
The Celtics’ tendency to make hasty decisions once again left them without a rising star in the league.
After being selected by the Celtics in 1996, Antoine Walker became a key player for the team, earning three All-Star selections and putting up impressive stats. Despite his contributions, Boston decided to trade him in 2003, which turned out to be a regrettable move. Walker was sent to Dallas, where he continued to perform well, even winning an NBA title with Miami in 2006. In exchange, the Celtics acquired Raef LaFrentz, who failed to make a significant impact during his short tenure with the team.
Another trade that backfired on the Celtics was the swap involving Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson. Perkins had been a valuable player for Boston, helping the team secure an NBA title in 2008. However, he was traded to the Thunder in 2011, a move that left the Celtics lacking in interior depth and ultimately cost them in the playoffs.
The final trade mistake that continues to haunt the Celtics is the one involving Kelly Olynyk. Desperate for a big man, Boston settled for Olynyk after missing out on their initial target, Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Antetokounmpo going on to become a two-time MVP and NBA champion, the Celtics missed a golden opportunity to form a powerhouse trio with him, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. This oversight remains one of the biggest blunders in the team’s history.
