The 1970 NBA Expansion Draft proved costly for the Boston Celtics, as they saw three players depart to the league’s newest teams. This expansion draft, the fifth in NBA history, was designed to stock the rosters of three new franchises: the Buffalo Braves, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Former Celtics guard Emmett “Em” Bryant was selected by the Braves. Bryant played just two seasons in Boston from 1968 to 1970, but he was a part of the 1969 championship team—a title the Celtics would not win again until the mid-1970s. The Chicago native also held a unique distinction: he was one of the few players in NBA history to be picked in multiple expansion drafts, having previously been selected by the Phoenix Suns from the New York Knicks in the 1968 expansion draft. During his time with the Celtics, Bryant averaged 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Veteran guard Larry Siegfried was taken by the Trail Blazers. He had been a crucial rotation player for five Celtics championship teams in the 1960s, spending seven seasons with Boston. His defensive prowess was a notable loss for the team, as Siegfried averaged 11.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists during his tenure in Boston.
Bailey Howell was also selected by the Braves in this expansion draft but was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Bob Kaufmann and a 1971 second-round pick. Over four seasons with the Celtics, Howell averaged an impressive 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
