Post by Admin on Jun 23, 2021 16:34:38 GMT -5
3 ways NBA draft lottery impacts Cs
by Dallas Malloy
by Dallas Malloy
The long-anticipated 2021-22 NBA draft lottery took place Tuesday night, and the results could have some major ramifications for the Boston Celtics.
Both the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder were supplanted in the top-4 by the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the top-2 picks were not much of a surprise, some of the lottery shakeups could change the way the Cs operate this season.
Impact No. 1) Toronto at 4th overall thursts Boston Celtics into win-now mode
While you may not think much of the Raptors after they had such a disappointing season, the last thing you should do is forget them. They still have the likes of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and plenty of other young pieces to fill out the roster.
That said, originally projected at eighth in a deep draft, they are now in the highly-touted top-4.
Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley are all but guaranteed to go with the first two picks, but the choice of either Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs is an amazing “problem” to have.
With the likely departure of long-time Raptor, Kyle Lowry, Toronto will not be missing a beat, possibly getting the next great point.
So who is a better choice, Suggs or Green?
Not that they have the choice — being they are picking fourth and not third — but what do both of those picks mean for the division rivals?
Jalen Suggs just guided his Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 31-1 overall record, let’s start with that. He is an elite playmaker, possibly the best in the draft, as well as being a top-2 defender at the point guard position.
He is the ultimate two-way guard, standing at 6-4, 205 pounds with a plus wingspan.
He is probably the best option to fundamentally replace Lowry, being a very similar player to the 6x All-Star, but with a much more athletic approach to the game.
I am not sure if Suggs has the capability to be the number-one option on a successful team, but he would not have to be that on a loaded Raps squad.
Now, being a number-one option is a challenge for some, but not for Jalen Green.
Green is probably my favorite prospect in this draft outside of Cunningham. He is not as complete a player as Suggs, but his potential is country-miles higher.
He is an extremely special finisher, being able to use his Westbrook-eqsue athleticism to viscously dunk in the lane, or use that same vigor to do a crafty reverse-layup.
He can also shoot the ball very well, both from deep and from the midrange, which are very important assets to come into, and succeed in this league with. While his playmaking has shown flashes, and his defense needs work, he has the potential to be a James Harden-type scorer and could jolt the Raps back into contention when he pans out.
While you may not think much of the Raptors after they had such a disappointing season, the last thing you should do is forget them. They still have the likes of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and plenty of other young pieces to fill out the roster.
That said, originally projected at eighth in a deep draft, they are now in the highly-touted top-4.
Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley are all but guaranteed to go with the first two picks, but the choice of either Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs is an amazing “problem” to have.
With the likely departure of long-time Raptor, Kyle Lowry, Toronto will not be missing a beat, possibly getting the next great point.
So who is a better choice, Suggs or Green?
Not that they have the choice — being they are picking fourth and not third — but what do both of those picks mean for the division rivals?
Jalen Suggs just guided his Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 31-1 overall record, let’s start with that. He is an elite playmaker, possibly the best in the draft, as well as being a top-2 defender at the point guard position.
He is the ultimate two-way guard, standing at 6-4, 205 pounds with a plus wingspan.
He is probably the best option to fundamentally replace Lowry, being a very similar player to the 6x All-Star, but with a much more athletic approach to the game.
I am not sure if Suggs has the capability to be the number-one option on a successful team, but he would not have to be that on a loaded Raps squad.
Now, being a number-one option is a challenge for some, but not for Jalen Green.
Green is probably my favorite prospect in this draft outside of Cunningham. He is not as complete a player as Suggs, but his potential is country-miles higher.
He is an extremely special finisher, being able to use his Westbrook-eqsue athleticism to viscously dunk in the lane, or use that same vigor to do a crafty reverse-layup.
He can also shoot the ball very well, both from deep and from the midrange, which are very important assets to come into, and succeed in this league with. While his playmaking has shown flashes, and his defense needs work, he has the potential to be a James Harden-type scorer and could jolt the Raps back into contention when he pans out.
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Impact No. 2) NOLA at 10 helps the Boston Celtics in the Lonzo Ball sweepstakes
Although the Pelicans were projected to pick at the 10 spot before the lottery, this just solidified their position, and now allows them to plan for the draft. What that could mean for the Boston Celtics, however, is that this is a loaded draft in terms of all positions, including guard, and the Pelicans have a guard that may leave this off-season in Lonzo Ball.
The ability to pick a high-level guard could change what NOLA wants in return for Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade scenario.
Yes, the only possible way to attain the free agent Ball is via sign-and-trade, as the Cs are projected to be in the luxury tax and we obviously do not have his bird-rights.
We here at HH have touched on this possible move in past articles, and while it would hard cap us, Ball would be the perfect addition to the squad.
In taking a great guard prospect like Josh Giddey or James Bouknight, the Pelicans can easily fill that hole at point. Getting a solid playmaker could make them more apt to look to other needs, such as back-court defense.
We would have the perfect player for them…Marcus Smart.
While this is not a very likely move, as of right now it seems Ball may just up-and-leave in free agency, so any team looking to perform a sign-and-trade has some leverage.
The former number-two pick, who was taken the pick before Boston Celtics superstar, Jayson Tatum, gives the team the play making it needs.
We should all be watching the Pelicans in this upcoming draft, as it could have major ramifications on the Lonzo sweepstakes.
Although the Pelicans were projected to pick at the 10 spot before the lottery, this just solidified their position, and now allows them to plan for the draft. What that could mean for the Boston Celtics, however, is that this is a loaded draft in terms of all positions, including guard, and the Pelicans have a guard that may leave this off-season in Lonzo Ball.
The ability to pick a high-level guard could change what NOLA wants in return for Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade scenario.
Yes, the only possible way to attain the free agent Ball is via sign-and-trade, as the Cs are projected to be in the luxury tax and we obviously do not have his bird-rights.
We here at HH have touched on this possible move in past articles, and while it would hard cap us, Ball would be the perfect addition to the squad.
In taking a great guard prospect like Josh Giddey or James Bouknight, the Pelicans can easily fill that hole at point. Getting a solid playmaker could make them more apt to look to other needs, such as back-court defense.
We would have the perfect player for them…Marcus Smart.
While this is not a very likely move, as of right now it seems Ball may just up-and-leave in free agency, so any team looking to perform a sign-and-trade has some leverage.
The former number-two pick, who was taken the pick before Boston Celtics superstar, Jayson Tatum, gives the team the play making it needs.
We should all be watching the Pelicans in this upcoming draft, as it could have major ramifications on the Lonzo sweepstakes.
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Impact No. 3) Pacers at 13 could help Boston Celtics trade for Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon is a target that has not been mentioned often in terms of Boston Celtics trade targets, but a move for the guard makes a ton of sense. Not only is it more cap-friendly, being that it would be a non sign-and-trade which would allow the Cs to use the remaining trade exception, but he is a better player than Ball.
He is making $65 million dollars over the next three seasons, roughly what Lonzo Ball is going to be demanding in the free-agent market. However, Brogdon is more complete than any point guard we have had in a long time and found himself having a career year last season.
The fifth-year pro averaged 21.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game on excellent shooting splits. Brogdon is actually one of eight players in league history to enter the 50/40/90 club, showing exquisite efficiency while still being an elite playmaker and defender.
At roughly $20 million dollars per year, he is possibly the best option on the point-guard market.
Not being lazy here, but the Pacers could be looking at the exact same guard prospects, picking in a similar place as the Pelicans (prospects being Bouknight and Giddey). Now, guard is not necessarily a need for Indiana, currently having both Brogdon and Levert. However, if they do pick a point in the draft, it could signal an imminent trade.
Again, while these trades aren’t all too likely, these trade scenarios are some of the more likely to occur this offseason, as the Boston Celtics now have a major hole at the point-guard spot.
Malcolm Brogdon is a target that has not been mentioned often in terms of Boston Celtics trade targets, but a move for the guard makes a ton of sense. Not only is it more cap-friendly, being that it would be a non sign-and-trade which would allow the Cs to use the remaining trade exception, but he is a better player than Ball.
He is making $65 million dollars over the next three seasons, roughly what Lonzo Ball is going to be demanding in the free-agent market. However, Brogdon is more complete than any point guard we have had in a long time and found himself having a career year last season.
The fifth-year pro averaged 21.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game on excellent shooting splits. Brogdon is actually one of eight players in league history to enter the 50/40/90 club, showing exquisite efficiency while still being an elite playmaker and defender.
At roughly $20 million dollars per year, he is possibly the best option on the point-guard market.
Not being lazy here, but the Pacers could be looking at the exact same guard prospects, picking in a similar place as the Pelicans (prospects being Bouknight and Giddey). Now, guard is not necessarily a need for Indiana, currently having both Brogdon and Levert. However, if they do pick a point in the draft, it could signal an imminent trade.
Again, while these trades aren’t all too likely, these trade scenarios are some of the more likely to occur this offseason, as the Boston Celtics now have a major hole at the point-guard spot.