Boston Quickly Converted Wright Into More Picks
The Celtics moved center-forward Brandan Wright to Phoenix in January 2015, accepting two future draft selections instead of another established player. Wright had joined Boston in an earlier deal and was not being retained as a central long-term frontcourt piece. Phoenix wanted an athletic interior option for the remainder of its season. Boston's rebuilding direction made multiple future opportunities more attractive than Wright's immediate reserve minutes. The draft returns later acquired the identities of No. 35 in 2016 and No. 37 in 2017.
Wright Gave Phoenix Only a Short Trial
Wright was an efficient finisher who could provide vertical spacing and rebounding, making him a sensible reserve target for the Suns. His actual stay in Phoenix was limited, however, and he later played for other clubs. Those other teams' statistics aren't part of the Suns' incoming production from this transaction. Phoenix obtained the playing option it wanted at the time, but did not secure a long-term center to anchor the roster. That limited tenure weakens its side of the inherited evaluation.
The 2017 Selection Became the Better Boston Return
The later pick associated with No. 37 Semi Ojeleye became a useful contributor in Boston's rotation. The other selection, linked to No. 35 Rade Zagorac, followed its own draft-rights path and did not produce comparable Celtics minutes. Both numbered selections were second-round slots; the unusual terminology in some transaction imports shouldn't lead a reader to describe No. 35 or No. 37 as a literal first-round draft position. The value came from the future options and what Boston eventually realized from the second of them.
Boston Found More Durable Depth Through the Draft
Phoenix accepted a short-term center it could use immediately, while Boston converted that veteran into multiple opportunities to add future contributors. Ojeleye's Celtics tenure supplied measurable receiving-team work and made the return more lasting than Wright's Phoenix stay. Neither asset by itself was a franchise cornerstone. The inherited Celtics advantage fits the practical difference between a temporary rotation big and a future pick that became a long-serving role player, without implying that every Boston selection succeeded.
Final Verdict
Celtics Win. Boston earns B+ for turning Brandan Wright into two later draft selections, especially the No. 37 choice associated with Semi Ojeleye, who became a usable Celtics wing. Phoenix receives C for Wright's relatively short center stint. The other choice, No. 35 Rade Zagorac, did not supply equivalent Boston minutes; the longer-term payoff came primarily from Ojeleye.