Boston Chose One International Prospect
The Celtics acquired the rights to Croatian guard-forward Josip Sesar from the Seattle SuperSonics during the 2000 draft, sending two second-round choices for 2001. Boston was exploring overseas development instead of waiting until the following year to make its selections. Seattle preferred to add opportunities in a future draft. Sesar had professional experience in Europe and offensive skill, but his path to playing in the NBA was uncertain when the trade was completed.
Sesar Never Became a Celtics NBA Contributor
The Celtics controlled an interesting European player's rights, yet Sesar never established an NBA playing career with Boston. His achievements abroad have their own importance, but they were not minutes in a Celtics uniform. The transaction therefore supplied an opportunity that did not turn into a rotation wing. This is the central limitation of the Boston side: the club paid two later selections for a prospect it couldn't use in the NBA.
Seattle Held Two Picks in the 2001 Draft
The SuperSonics acquired second-round choices associated with No. 38 Michael Wright and No. 39 Earl Watson. Wright did not develop into a major NBA performer, but Watson built a lengthy professional career as a point guard, including time with Seattle. His subsequent work for other franchises should be evaluated separately from his original SuperSonics arrival. Even without treating both picks as successes, Seattle obtained a notably stronger practical return than an unused NBA draft right.
The Pick Trade Favored the SuperSonics
Seattle's broader draft package produced a guard capable of contributing in the league, while Boston's single rights acquisition never joined its playing roster. The inherited Oklahoma City Thunder Win refers to the former SuperSonics franchise; the deal itself was made by Seattle in 2000. Boston's C- reflects the missing NBA return, and the B+ on Seattle's side recognizes what became a useful selection. The verdict doesn't require claiming Watson's entire career belonged to Seattle.
Final Verdict
Oklahoma City Thunder Win. The franchise was the Seattle SuperSonics when it earned B+ for the future selections associated with Michael Wright and Earl Watson. Boston receives C- for Josip Sesar's rights because he never became a Celtics NBA player. Watson developed into a genuine NBA guard, providing Seattle with the stronger actual return from the exchange.