Celt’s Draft

LaVine at 6, and Early at 17 would give them a solid athletic five man core: Rondo, LaVine, Early, Green, and Olynyk.  Sully and Faverani are two bruising bigs inside.  They also could resign Avery Bradley as a backup guard. 

They might not need a power forward since they already have Green, Olynyk, Sullinger, and Faverani, plus Brandon Bass and his big contract. 

The Celtics need more help on the wings.  They might as well go after an "upside guy" like Zach LaVine.

LaVine at 6, and Early at 17 would give them a solid athletic five man core: Rondo, LaVine, Early, Green, and Olynyk.  Sully and Faverani are two bruising bigs inside.  They also could resign Avery Bradley as a backup guard. 

They might not need a power forward since they already have Green, Olynyk, Sullinger, and Faverani, plus Brandon Bass and his big contract. 

The Celtics need more help on the wings.  They might as well go after an "upside guy" like Zach LaVine.

Lavine would be exciting paired with Rondo.  I wouldn’t pass on Vonleh or Randle to get him though.

In either case, at #17 I’d look to add a shooter.  That’s probably CJ Wilcox’ best case, but James Young, Adreian Payne…..its tough to say who will fall to that spot.  Hopefully McDermott, that would just be meant to be.

Lavine would be exciting paired with Rondo.  I wouldn’t pass on Vonleh or Randle to get him though.

In either case, at #17 I’d look to add a shooter.  That’s probably CJ Wilcox’ best case, but James Young, Adreian Payne…..its tough to say who will fall to that spot.  Hopefully McDermott, that would just be meant to be.

The Celtics just need TALENT.  They have Rondo and Jeff Green and some nice young players, but they need MORE GUYS.  Every team could obviously use more shooting, but I wouldn’t reach on a "shooter" at 6, and those "shooters" (Stauskas, McDermott) might not be there at 17.  I’d say go Best Player Available at both spots.

If they want role players then go after a Sixers’ second round pick or two. 

The Celtics actually need somebody to protect the paint.  Sully and Olynyk don’t strike me as great inside defenders and shot blockers (they might be though, I just don’t know).  Get a second rounder from Philly or another team and go after Patric Young as an athletic inside defender type. 

Even if the Celtics do get Kevin Love, they would still need a guy who can protect the basket.  Especially if Love and Olynyk are your only two primary inside guys left (along with Faverani).  Patric Young would help a bit, with more bigs available in the 2015 draft (like WCS).

The Celtics just need TALENT.  They have Rondo and Jeff Green and some nice young players, but they need MORE GUYS.  Every team could obviously use more shooting, but I wouldn’t reach on a "shooter" at 6, and those "shooters" (Stauskas, McDermott) might not be there at 17.  I’d say go Best Player Available at both spots.

If they want role players then go after a Sixers’ second round pick or two. 

The Celtics actually need somebody to protect the paint.  Sully and Olynyk don’t strike me as great inside defenders and shot blockers (they might be though, I just don’t know).  Get a second rounder from Philly or another team and go after Patric Young as an athletic inside defender type. 

Even if the Celtics do get Kevin Love, they would still need a guy who can protect the basket.  Especially if Love and Olynyk are your only two primary inside guys left (along with Faverani).  Patric Young would help a bit, with more bigs available in the 2015 draft (like WCS).

 I don’t think Vonleh will be around by the 6th pick. The Jazz are said to like Vonleh more than they do Randle and Gordon. And the Magic are looking to draft a PF at 4 and their PG at 12. So they might go Vonleh over Exum. 

Danny Ainge has been said to not be that high on this draft. He thinks its relatively weak. But all bias I said, I think he is just trying to undersell who he likes so he can get them. I hear that he likes Aaron Gordon and Dante Exum the most at 6. I have them selecting Dante Exum, because the Magic took Vonleh and the Jazz take Gordon. Exum would give them a big combo guard to pair with Rondo. Bradley is only 6’2 and I would like to see the Celtics bring him off the bench as their 6th man. Rondo is no stranger to the trading block so if he gets traded then the Celtics have someone who can fill in marvelously for them. 

At 17, I have them filling up their hole at big man. They really need someone who can pair with Sully or Olynyk very well. Right now I have them going for Porzingis who is rising up draft boards almost daily. But by draft day I could also see the Celtics going for Nurkic 17 for the same reason.

 I don’t think Vonleh will be around by the 6th pick. The Jazz are said to like Vonleh more than they do Randle and Gordon. And the Magic are looking to draft a PF at 4 and their PG at 12. So they might go Vonleh over Exum. 

Danny Ainge has been said to not be that high on this draft. He thinks its relatively weak. But all bias I said, I think he is just trying to undersell who he likes so he can get them. I hear that he likes Aaron Gordon and Dante Exum the most at 6. I have them selecting Dante Exum, because the Magic took Vonleh and the Jazz take Gordon. Exum would give them a big combo guard to pair with Rondo. Bradley is only 6’2 and I would like to see the Celtics bring him off the bench as their 6th man. Rondo is no stranger to the trading block so if he gets traded then the Celtics have someone who can fill in marvelously for them. 

At 17, I have them filling up their hole at big man. They really need someone who can pair with Sully or Olynyk very well. Right now I have them going for Porzingis who is rising up draft boards almost daily. But by draft day I could also see the Celtics going for Nurkic 17 for the same reason.

 I think at the spot they are at, they are looking more for someone to use as an asset rather than an actual part of the team. In that case, I would take Randle, only because he is likely to produce earlier than Vonleh, who will probably bloom in 3-4 years. The Celtics need to foster a potential franchise-worthy player to trade for a superstar. They need to find their Derrick Favors, Gallinari or Andrew Bynum, which were the young, potential franchise saviors necessary to lure in Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony or Dwight Howard, respectively. If the Celts are taking someone they have in future plans, then I would consider Vonleh. However, Randle seems like he would be a better trade asset 2 within the next two years.

 I think at the spot they are at, they are looking more for someone to use as an asset rather than an actual part of the team. In that case, I would take Randle, only because he is likely to produce earlier than Vonleh, who will probably bloom in 3-4 years. The Celtics need to foster a potential franchise-worthy player to trade for a superstar. They need to find their Derrick Favors, Gallinari or Andrew Bynum, which were the young, potential franchise saviors necessary to lure in Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony or Dwight Howard, respectively. If the Celts are taking someone they have in future plans, then I would consider Vonleh. However, Randle seems like he would be a better trade asset 2 within the next two years.

No need to grab a shooter, because the Celts don’t have the rest of the roster to justify a strech the floor guy.
I agree that it should all be about talent.
It really depends on what the team wants to do with Rondo.
Whether they keep him or not I think Smart is the guy to take, he can be a Wade-like SG potentially and would possibly move to PG or be a good fit along a nice spread-the-floor PG in the event they trade Rondo. Otherwise he needs to develop a 3pt shot sooner rather than later to fit along side Rondo.
I think Lavine has great upside and is a more logical fit at the 2 because of his decent stroke but he is also less ready to contribute. So if they move Rondo this offseason or plan to move him at some point before he become disgruntled then Lavine would also be a good fit.
Is Vonleh gonna be a defensive difference maker? Because that’s what the C’s need next to Sulli & Oly. Otherwise there’s no point bringing in another similar player who diminishes the trade value of your existing roster.

No need to grab a shooter, because the Celts don’t have the rest of the roster to justify a strech the floor guy.
I agree that it should all be about talent.
It really depends on what the team wants to do with Rondo.
Whether they keep him or not I think Smart is the guy to take, he can be a Wade-like SG potentially and would possibly move to PG or be a good fit along a nice spread-the-floor PG in the event they trade Rondo. Otherwise he needs to develop a 3pt shot sooner rather than later to fit along side Rondo.
I think Lavine has great upside and is a more logical fit at the 2 because of his decent stroke but he is also less ready to contribute. So if they move Rondo this offseason or plan to move him at some point before he become disgruntled then Lavine would also be a good fit.
Is Vonleh gonna be a defensive difference maker? Because that’s what the C’s need next to Sulli & Oly. Otherwise there’s no point bringing in another similar player who diminishes the trade value of your existing roster.

 I said this is another post but I’ll say it again.  Best case scenario for the Celtics and Lakers is if they are both left to choose between Smart, Randle and Exum.

If Magic go Vonleh at 4 it will really be all on the Jazz.  I like the Gordon fit, Celtics are also rumored to love Gordon.  Either way, the Lakers are getting someone who will contribute next year in Randle or Smart.  Or someone with high upside Exum.  If they end up getting either one of those 3 I will be ecstatic as those are my 3 preferences in their range.

 I said this is another post but I’ll say it again.  Best case scenario for the Celtics and Lakers is if they are both left to choose between Smart, Randle and Exum.

If Magic go Vonleh at 4 it will really be all on the Jazz.  I like the Gordon fit, Celtics are also rumored to love Gordon.  Either way, the Lakers are getting someone who will contribute next year in Randle or Smart.  Or someone with high upside Exum.  If they end up getting either one of those 3 I will be ecstatic as those are my 3 preferences in their range.

 I’d assume the Celtics take their choice of who is left out of Vonleh, Randle and Exum. I’d guess it will be between the two bigs as I’d be surprised to see Exum slip past Magic let alone Utah. They could make a reach for Aaron Gordon if he impressed in any workouts they scheduled for him.

With Rondo in situ I have to rule out Smart for Boston for that reason.

I’d assume Danny Ainge would do his due dilligence on a lot of guys in the draft lottery with a view to the scenario someone may slip and suddenly be in play with the 17th pick or Boston can move up from that position to grab someone.

I wonder if there has been any trade talk between Boston and Utah – 5th and 23rd for 6th and 17th isn’t an unfair pick flip if the GM’s wanted to consider it.

 I’d assume the Celtics take their choice of who is left out of Vonleh, Randle and Exum. I’d guess it will be between the two bigs as I’d be surprised to see Exum slip past Magic let alone Utah. They could make a reach for Aaron Gordon if he impressed in any workouts they scheduled for him.

With Rondo in situ I have to rule out Smart for Boston for that reason.

I’d assume Danny Ainge would do his due dilligence on a lot of guys in the draft lottery with a view to the scenario someone may slip and suddenly be in play with the 17th pick or Boston can move up from that position to grab someone.

I wonder if there has been any trade talk between Boston and Utah – 5th and 23rd for 6th and 17th isn’t an unfair pick flip if the GM’s wanted to consider it.

I think the Celtics should draft Smart. Smart plays great defense and IMO with a better team around him he will not have to force so many bad shots. If Exum slips the Celtics would have to jump on him first. 

At 17 there will be a lot of talent. Kyle Anderson, Porzingis, Payton (if they dont draft Smart), KJ McDaniels. Maybe LaVine falls in their lap at 17 or Saric. I believe we will get a nice player with the 17th pick 

I think the Celtics should draft Smart. Smart plays great defense and IMO with a better team around him he will not have to force so many bad shots. If Exum slips the Celtics would have to jump on him first. 

At 17 there will be a lot of talent. Kyle Anderson, Porzingis, Payton (if they dont draft Smart), KJ McDaniels. Maybe LaVine falls in their lap at 17 or Saric. I believe we will get a nice player with the 17th pick 

At six I would go Smart, Vonleh, Exum and then Gordon.  I have Smart and Vonleh rated the same, Smart gets the Nod due to being a safer pick with an upside almost as high.  Now if the choice is Exum or Gordon that’s another close call, I go with Exum feeling he’s a safer pick.  I love Gordon, but his FT shooting is a major red flag for me.

At seventeen I would go Nurkic, Lavine, Young, Warren and then Payton.  At this pick I’m looking at upside and the % chance they reach it.  I see Nurkic as a starting center in the NBA in a few years.  Has an NBA body and put up huge stats in just over 15 minutes a game.  He has his faults, but he’s very talented and centers are very hard to find.  Lavine has all the upside in the world, but he has a higher downside compared to Nurkic.  Young is like Lavine.  Warren is an elite scorer and Payton has a lot of Rondo traits. 

Now I feel at six Smart and Vonleh will be gone, so we pick Exum.  At seventeen I think Nurkic, Lavine, Young and Payton are gone, So we take Warren.  If we get a few breaks and get to pick Smart and Nurkic I feel we’d get two starting players and I’d be jumping up and down.

At six I would go Smart, Vonleh, Exum and then Gordon.  I have Smart and Vonleh rated the same, Smart gets the Nod due to being a safer pick with an upside almost as high.  Now if the choice is Exum or Gordon that’s another close call, I go with Exum feeling he’s a safer pick.  I love Gordon, but his FT shooting is a major red flag for me.

At seventeen I would go Nurkic, Lavine, Young, Warren and then Payton.  At this pick I’m looking at upside and the % chance they reach it.  I see Nurkic as a starting center in the NBA in a few years.  Has an NBA body and put up huge stats in just over 15 minutes a game.  He has his faults, but he’s very talented and centers are very hard to find.  Lavine has all the upside in the world, but he has a higher downside compared to Nurkic.  Young is like Lavine.  Warren is an elite scorer and Payton has a lot of Rondo traits. 

Now I feel at six Smart and Vonleh will be gone, so we pick Exum.  At seventeen I think Nurkic, Lavine, Young and Payton are gone, So we take Warren.  If we get a few breaks and get to pick Smart and Nurkic I feel we’d get two starting players and I’d be jumping up and down.