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Post by Admin on Jun 1, 2018 23:11:38 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick? - keep it, trade it, move up, move down - Pt. 1By Tom Lane Photo via Peter Forest
This is the first of a series of articles on the Celtics and the upcoming draft. We encourage our readers to become involved in this study, and we welcome your thoughts. Boston currently holds the #27 pick in the first round, and we will look at players that are attainable by standing pat, moving up in the draft, or perhaps even down. Trading the pick is another alternative. Let us know about your favorite players, and we will try to put them out in a future article and Twitter poll. Our first look is at Mitchell Robinson. There are many questions about Robinson, so he may drift down in the draft, but going somewhere in the mid-to-late teens seems logical right now. That could change. He is a 7'1" mobile center with a 7'4" wingspan. He can run the court and with very long strides he can cover a lot of distance in a few steps. He is a rim protector and shot blocker with an improving outside shot. He is still raw but seems to be the type of defensive center that would fit with the Celtics. Here is some feedback on his abilities (per TheStepien.com's Mike Gribanov): The questions about Mitchell involve the fact that no one has seen his level of play in collegiate competition since he left Western Kentucky under cloudy circumstances. There are concerns about his readiness to compete and survive in the NBA. Thus the chance that he may drift into the high-teens or low-20's in the draft and be obtainable to Boston at low cost with a minor trade. www.celticslife.com/2018/06/celtics-27-draft-pick-keep-it-trade-it.html |
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2018 23:50:52 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 2 - is Khyri Thomas a good choice?
By Tom Lane
Photo via Gerry Broome/AP
In Part 2 of my series, we will look at Creighton's Khyri Thomas as a potential pick for the Boston Celtics at #27. Most mock drafts have him being taken anywhere from the mid-teens to the late-20's, so if Boston is serious about him, they may have to move up a bit in the draft.
Thomas is listed at 6'3" and 210 pounds. I am a big fan of wingspan because it negates lack of height to a large extent, and it is a measurement I trust. It is a difficult measurement to butcher. Khyri comes in with a 6'11" wingspan, and that is impressive.
NBA teams often look at draftees in their early 20's as being a negative factor. Thomas is 22 years old, and that may mean he is more NBA ready than the 19-year-olds. His Junior stats at Creighton are: 15.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.9 FPG. He is known for his defense and the low 1.9 fouls per game are a great sign for his future in the NBA. Here are some thoughts from MassLive's Tom Westerholm:
Thomas' age may allow him to drift to Boston at #27. Also, he is a late bloomer and may be far from reaching his peak. The following analysis is via NBADraft.net:
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Post by Admin on Jun 4, 2018 0:00:28 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 3 - French guard Elie Okobo?
By Tom Lane
Photo by Google.com
One of the most interesting prospects in the upcoming NBA draft is combo guard Elie Okobo. He is listed as 6'2" and 180 lbs. with a 6'8" wingspan. He has played in Europe since 2015, starting as a point guard but now learning the ropes at the two-position.
In most mock drafts he lasts into the late 20's of the first round or drifts into the early picks in round two. The Celtics would have a good shot at acquiring him if nothing better presents itself prior to the 27th pick. He could possibly be a draft-and-stash candidate for a team, but he may be NBA material right now.
But in the right system, he appears to be a player that could have a role as a useful back-up on a good team. He is definitely a shooter but has the potential to be a superior defender, in the mode of Avery Bradley and Terry Rozier. His ability to create his own shots off the dribble and create space for himself stand out. The following is via NBADraft.net:
In the video below, Okobo is seen recently scoring 44 points in a game, and his performance was outstanding. Normally, I would think the Celtics would shy away from Elie because of his lack of size, but his wingspan and physique negate that to a large extent. If he is still available at the 27th pick, Boston may be wise to acquire him. If he drifts into the second round, a last-minute trade to pick him up is something Danny Ainge has been known to do in the past. This guy could be a sleeper.
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2018 23:53:19 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 4 - a look at C/F Omari SpellmanBy Tom Lane Photo via Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Villanova's Omari Spellman stands 6'9.5" with a 7'1.5" wingspan. He weighs roughly 245 pounds but once topped the scales at 300 pounds. He is 20 years old and averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game this past season.
Omari is projected to be drafted somewhere in the 20's in the upcoming NBA draft. A few mock drafts have him being taken much later. He is an active big man who already has an NBA-ready body, although there will be some questions about his ability to keep off the excess weight.
Spellman has a reliable outside shot, hitting 48% on field goals and 43% on three-pointers. He could use some work on his free throws where he hits 70%. His length may allow him to play both power forward and center in the NBA, and he should be able to hold his own under the hoop. The following is via NBADraft.net:
The Celtics always look for versatility in a potential draft pick, and Spellman has that quality. Plus his length and strength will allow him to play at the center position where Boston may be short-handed this coming season. His defense, rebounding, rim protection and outside shooting, paired with his size, may be too much for the Celtics to bypass if he is still on the board at the 27th pick.
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Post by Admin on Jun 8, 2018 0:13:00 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 5 - would Grizzlies deal #4 pick?By Tom Lane Photo via Ray Del Rio/Getty Images
The Memphis Grizzlies are in rebuild mode and possess the 4th pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Their history of drafting the right players and developing them, however, has not worked. Grizzlies' General Manager, Chris Wallace, seems best known during his stint with the Celtics for dealing future star, Joe Johnson, and trading for Vin Baker who was well past his prime and battling alcoholism. Wallace did draft superstar Paul Pierce, but only when Paul fortuitously fell into his lap at pick #10.
Danny Ainge. conversely, has a fine reputation for plucking gems out of the last several drafts and allowing coach Brad Stevens to work them into the Celtics short-term and long-term plans. With the past performances of both GM's in mind, it could be a good move for both teams to look at a deal beneficial to both organizations.
It is no secret that Boston would love to acquire a mobile big man who can rebound, protect the rim, switch defensively and hit outside shots. This year's draft has a number of such players, and both Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Mo Bamba fill the bill. One or both may be available at #4, and either one could be effectively developed into the inside/outside threat the Celtics are seeking. The following comments on the Grizzlies' poor drafts, trades and player development via CommercialAppeals's Peter Edmiston:
... some teams -- the Spurs, Celtics, Jazz, and Warriors come to mind -- seem to be better at maximizing the return on their draft picks than others. But why? Perhaps it's as simple as having a plan, or, too often in the case of the Grizzlies, not having one.
The original sin "We just are not going to get a chance to get a shot blocker, shot alterer, someone who can have the defensive impact like Hasheem Thabeet in every draft. He's the best shot-blocker in the history of the franchise." - Chris Wallace, after the 2009 NBA Draft
Edmiston pulls no punches on the Memphis struggles. Chris Wallace trading Paul Gasol, the Memphis kingpin, and DeMarre Carroll are two more miscues by the Grizzlies. He may never live down drafting the immortal legend Thabeet. They just can't seem to get it right.
Danny Ainge may just give Wallace a call to see about a package of Terry Rozier, the Celtics #27 2018 pick - plus giving the Grizzlies back their 2019 first-rounder and maybe the Clippers' 2019 pick. Danny knows who to take at #4 and how to develop him.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. is 18-years old, 6'11", 7'4" wingspan and 235 pounds. He is an exciting big man who gets taken top-6 in most mock drafts. The following is via NBADraft.net:
"Fits the mold for ideal big man in today's NBA" is what NBADraft.net had to say about Jackson, Jr. Choosing 18-year-olds from the draft is always a crapshoot, but Ainge is always willing to at least try and will take the gamble. This one may be worth looking into.
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Post by Admin on Jun 8, 2018 23:38:43 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Jun 8, 2018 23:51:53 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 6 - buying into 2nd round makes sense
By Tom Lane
The Celtics currently do not own a second-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but buying one, particularly in the early portion of round two may pay dividends. There are a number of players that could remain on the board by the end of the first round that could have real value for a team looking for effective role players.
Photo via Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Boston was able to draft Semi Ojeleye in the second round of the 2017 draft with pick #37 overall. Ojeleye was originally projected to be drafted in the first round, and Danny Ainge did not hesitate a bit when he was still available at #37. Semi turned out to be one of the Celtics top defenders in his rookie year and played an important role both in the regular season and the playoffs.
The first 15 picks are not too difficult to predict, but the second half of the first round can be a crapshoot. Particularly in this draft, players that Danny Ainge views as solid rotation guys will still be around in the first half of round two. De'Anthony Melton, Bruce Brown, Jalen Brunson, Elie Okobo, Omari Spellman and Khyri Thomas are just some of the possibilities. Another is Billy Preston, a player that the Celtics are expected to work out today. No one has any idea where Preston projects in this draft.
With the #27 pick and another in the low 30's, Ainge could possibly acquire two rotation players at low money. Or, if during the draft he saw a desired player falling, he could attempt to trade the Celtics two picks for one pick in the high teens or low 20's. It simply gives him more chances for success. Semi Ojeleye is scheduled to earn 1.4 million this coming season and 1.6 million, with a team option, in 2019-20. With significant improvements in his offensive game over the summer, that could be a real bargain for Boston. Ainge may be looking to duplicate that second-round-gem find in this year's draft. I am quite sure he is already attempting to buy into the second round. www.celticslife.com/2018/06/celtics-27-draft-pick-pt-6-buying-into.html |
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Post by Admin on Jun 17, 2018 14:26:56 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 7 - two Danny Ainge, wild-card possibilities
By Tom Lane Photo via Matt Stone/Boston Herald
A number of my readers have already (probably correctly) indicated that none of the players in the first six parts of my Celtics draft series will be taken by Danny Ainge. But putting Danny's unpredictability aside, here are two more, and they are definitely wild cards.
The first is a local guy - local in the sense he attended Boston College. He is 21-year-old, 6'5", 190-lb. Jerome Robinson. This kid can score from anywhere, and that is just what he did for BC. Jerome can create his own shot, can handle contact and moves extremely well on offense.
He is certainly not a physical specimen at 190 pounds with a 6'7.25" wingspan, but with some work on his physique and defense, he could become a part of Boston's rotation. The following per SI's Jeremy Woo from their mock draft with Robinson going to the Celtics at #27:
27. JEROME ROBINSON, G, BOSTON COLLEGE | JUNIOR
Height: 6'4" | Weight: 190 | Age: 21 | Last: 27
Stats: 20.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, 40.9% 3FG
Hamidou Diallo is really a wild card for Boston but cannot be discounted. There are may questions about his potential in the NBA but none concerning his physical tools and athleticism. He is 6'6", 200 pounds with an impressive 6'11.5" wingspan. He may be a target for Danny Ainge if Boston buys into the second round, but he has to be considered a project. In SI's current mock draft, he goes in the second round at #39 (per SI's Jeremy Woo):
39. HAMIDOU DIALLO, SG, KENTUCKY | FRESHMAN
Height: 6'5" | Weight: 200 | Age: 19 | Last: 34
Stats: 10.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 43.0% FG
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Post by Admin on Jun 17, 2018 14:35:52 GMT -5
Celtics #27 draft pick - Pt. 8 - Shake Milton
By Tom Lane
Photo via Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Boston Celtics already have one of the most versatile teams in the NBA, and they want to stay there. That means, when possible, drafting for size, length, defensive switchability and- well - versatility.
SMU's Shake Milton may fit that definition in the latter portion of Round One or early in Round Two. He is 22 years old, 6'6", 210 pounds and 6'11.5" wingspan. This past season, he averaged 18.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.4 APG and 1.1 SPG.
He can play both guard positions and shoots well on field goals, 3-pointers and free throws. Here is some analysis from TheSixersSense's Christopher Kline:"Once his frame fills out, Milton has the tools needed to guard three positions at a high level. He fits the three-and-D mold teams are desperate to find nowadays, all while presenting some additional upside on the offensive end."
For the past two post-seasons, the Celtics have spent a lot of time and energy trying to avoid size mismatches involving Isaiah Thomas and Terry Rozier, in addition to remedying them when they occurred. Here is more from TheSixersSense's Christopher Kline: "Milton has excellent measurables for a comboguard, standing 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He’s one of the better defensive prospects in the second round, using his length and quickness to choke off passing lanes and irritate opposing ball handlers." A 6'6", long backup combo guard may help alleviate dreaded mismatches.
Milton may never be a star in the NBA, but you don't expect that very often with Second Rounders. In Brad Stevens system, he could eventually become a 3-position substitute and a solid piece of the Boston rotation.
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