The Boston Patriots traded two forward prospects to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, but the Boston Celtics have not moved on from their own 2016 first-round pick in the process.
The Patriots are moving forward with their plan to re-sign James White and Josh Boyce.
White and Boyce, along with other 2017 first-rounder Deion Barnett, were on the roster for the first four games of the season, and both have been productive, averaging 4.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Barnett, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, is averaging 5.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season, while White has averaged 3.3 points and 2.8 assists.
White, 22, played just 15 minutes in all 16 games last season with the Houston Rockets, but is averaging 12.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game in the four games he’s played in 2017-18.
White also was an early candidate for the No: 4 pick in this year’s NBA draft, but he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers had the opportunity to take Barnett with the pick in 2017, but opted to go with White instead.
The Nuggets acquired White, Barnett and 2016 first overall pick Deion Benjamin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers last year.
Bennett and Benjamin are both averaging 6.0 points, 2.7 assists and 0.9 rebounds per contest this season.
The Celtics also have some picks in the 2017 draft and could add another forward to the mix.
A trade involving Boston and Denver would be a huge blow to the Boston franchise, and they could also have to make some tough decisions on what kind of player they want to keep.
The Boston Celtics traded two forwards prospects to Denver Nuggets for 2017 first round pick, guard Josh Boyace (21) and forward Deion “Danny” Green (23).
The deal is expected to be completed in the next 48 hours.