Celtics make first surprise move of the NBA draft, take Jaylen Brown 3rd overall

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The Boston Celtics used the third overall pick of the NBA draft on Cal’s Jaylen Brown, marking the first semi-surprise of the draft.

After Ben Simmons went to the Philadelphia 76ers and Brandon Ingram to the Los Angeles Lakers – as everyone expected – the Celtics were seen as the key to the entire draft. They were reportedly trying to deal their pick to the Sixers for Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor, or to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler.

Instead, they held on to their pick and took the 6-foot-7 freshman forward from Cal.

Most mock drafts had Brown around the eighth overall pick, while Providence PG Kris Dunn had emerged as the favorite to go third overall.

It’s not entirely unlikely that Brown ultimately winds up on a team other than Boston, of course. There’s plenty of draft left, and Boston is still the team most inclined to make a big move.

Interestingly, Brown is the only member of the draft who does not yet have an agent.