On this day in Celtics history, Boston traded for the second pick in the 1956 NBA Draft, selecting Hall of Famer Bill Russell. The deal involved Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan being sent to the St. Louis Hawks.
Key points
Celtics traded for second pick in 1956 NBA Draft
Bill Russell was selected with the second pick
Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan were traded to the Hawks
Red Auerbach negotiated the trade with the Hawks
No Collective Bargaining Agreement allowed Royals to pass on Russell
Mentioned in this story
Red Auerbach
Bill RussellBoston CelticsSt. Louis HawksRochester Royals
Today in Boston Celtics history, Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan were traded to the then St. Louis Hawks (now Atlanta) in exchange for the second pick in the 1956 NBA Draft. The Celtics then used this pick to select future Hall of Fame center Bill Russell. Boston negotiated from a position of strength; head coach and general manager Red Auerbach capitalized on his relationship with Hawks owner Ben Kerner, a former employer.
Auerbach persuaded the Celtics' owner at the time, Walter Brown, to lend the then Rochester Royals (now Sacramento Kings) the Ice Capades for a week. The Ice Capades, also owned by Brown, were among the most popular attractions filling arenas during that period.
Mercifully for Boston, there was no Collective Bargaining Agreement to prevent the Royals, who held the first overall pick, from taking Russell first -- the other end of the bargain that got the legendary center to the Celtics.
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics center Bill Russell (6) fights for a loose ball against Cincinnati Royals guard Oscar Robertson (14) at Cincinnati Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics center Bill Russell (6) fights for a loose ball against Cincinnati Royals guard Oscar Robertson (14) at Cincinnati Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Transactions
It was in the same draft that the Celtics also took Dan Swartz, Tommy Heinsohn, and KC Jones. Swartz, a small forward drafted out of Morehead State, did not play for the Celtics until the 1962-63 NBA season, winning a championship in his sole season with Boston. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game over that stretch.
Q&A
What significant trade did the Boston Celtics make in 1956?
The Celtics traded Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to the St. Louis Hawks for the second pick in the 1956 NBA Draft.
Who did the Boston Celtics select with the second pick in the 1956 NBA Draft?
The Celtics selected future Hall of Fame center Bill Russell with the second pick in the 1956 NBA Draft.
How did Red Auerbach influence the Celtics' draft strategy in 1956?
Red Auerbach leveraged his relationship with Hawks owner Ben Kerner to negotiate the trade that allowed the Celtics to draft Bill Russell.
What was the context of the 1956 NBA Draft regarding the first overall pick?
The Rochester Royals held the first overall pick but did not take Russell due to a lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement at the time.
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Willie Naulls and KC Jones (C/O Bryna Jones)
Willie Naulls and KC Jones (C/O Bryna Jones)
Point guard K.C. Jones, a college teammate of Russell at the University of San Francisco, was taken with the first pick of the second round. He would go on to win eight championships with the Celtics, among many other honors. Jones recorded a career 7.4 points, 3.5 boards, and 4.3 assists per game average over nine seasons with Boston, the only team he played for in the NBA.
Big man Tommy Heinsohn was taken by the Celtics with their territorial pick out of Holy Cross. Heinsohn would go on to become a Celtics institution, also hanging eight banners and being elected to six All-Star teams among other honors, and maintaining a close relationship with the team up to his death in 2020.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Members of the Boston Celtics 1976 Championship team head coach Tom Heinsohn and Paul Silas are honred at halftime of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on April 13, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Members of the Boston Celtics 1976 Championship team head coach Tom Heinsohn and Paul Silas are honred at halftime of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on April 13, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Today is also the anniversary of the Celtics' hiring Doc Rivers as their head coach in 2004. Rivers would lead Boston to a title in 2008, and amass a 416-305 regular season record, and a 59-47 postseason record, good for .577 and .557 winning percentages respectively.
It is also the date of the 1966 expansion draft, which saw Boston send forwards Ron Bonham and John Thompson to the newly-formed Chicago Bulls. The frontcourt duo was left unprotected and taken to populate the roster of the Bulls, who were replacing the defunct Chicago Stags.
WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 19: U.S. President George W. Bush (C) congratulates the National Basketball Association champion Boston Celtics including (L-R front row) managing partner Irving Grousbeck, players Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, managing partner Robert Epstein, co-owner Wycliffe "Wyc" Grousbeck, (back row) Ray Allen, Tony Allen, PJ Brown, head coach Doc Rivers, and assistant coachs Kevin Eastman and Armond Hill in the East Room of the White House September 19, 2008 in Washington, DC. The Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2008 championship. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 19: U.S. President George W. Bush (C) congratulates the National Basketball Association champion Boston Celtics including (L-R front row) managing partner Irving Grousbeck, players Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, managing partner Robert Epstein, co-owner Wycliffe "Wyc" Grousbeck, (back row) Ray Allen, Tony Allen, PJ Brown, head coach Doc Rivers, and assistant coachs Kevin Eastman and Armond Hill in the East Room of the White House September 19, 2008 in Washington, DC. The Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2008 championship. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Birthdays
It is the birthday (1946) of former Celtic guard Rick Weitzman, who was drafted by the team out of Northeastern in the 1967 NBA Draft, and would win a ring with the team in the 1967-68 season, his sole one in the NBA. He would average 1.3 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game over the 25 games he appeared for the Celtics.
Jun 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) passes the ball to Brandon Bass (30) as he is defended by Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) passes the ball to Brandon Bass (30) as he is defended by Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Former Boston big man Brandon Bass was also born today in 1985 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The LSU alum would be dealt to the Celtics for Glen Davis and Von Wafer in 2011 and would play four seasons with Boston, averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 boards, and 1.1 assists per game.
Historic milestones
Finally, it is also the date that Jayson Tatum scored 60 points in a come-from-behind win over the San Antonio Spurs in 2021 that the St. Louis native helped Boston overcome a 32-point deficit as he tied Larry Bird's all-time scoring record with the Celtics.
Apr 30, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and center Tristan Thompson (13) react after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in overtime at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and center Tristan Thompson (13) react after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in overtime at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
"It was a special night," Tatum said afterward via the AP. "Just being around guys, playing with guys you enjoy being around, and are happy for your success ... we all see the hard work each and every one of us put in every day, so that when someone, myself or whoever it is, has a night like that, just to share that moment with them is special. Just to have your teammates be happy for you means everything," he added.
