NBA prospect primer: Top 10 power forwards

CSNE

A. SHERROD BLAKLEY

BOSTON — When you look at the Boston Celtics roster and see them associated with rookies-to-be like Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon, one can't help but think, 'not another power forward!'

The Celtics already have a pair of blossoming players at the position in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk not to mention veteran starter Brandon Bass.

The idea of adding another player to that mix seems a bit redundant, right?

Well depending on where the Celtics are choosing on draft night - and that won't be known until May 20 - Boston has to consider adding talent wherever they can find it.

And it may very well be them adding another power forward to a roster that as most Celtics fans know already, has a decent stable of young talent at that position.

Here is CSNNE.com's top 10 power forwards in next month's draft.

1. Julius Randle, 6-10, 250, Kentucky

STRENGTHS

* Explosive scorer around the basket who can finish with contact

* Extremely strong upper body

* Lefty has above average mid-range, pick-and-pop game

WEAKNESSES

* Has a sub, 7-foot wing span

* Does very little with his right (non-dominant) hand

* Perimeter shooting inconsistent
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2. Noah Vonleh, 6-10, 240, Indiana

STRENGTHS

* Has 7-4 wing span

* Good scorer facing the basket or in the post

* Excellent rebounder

WEAKNESSES

* Too passive at times

* Below-average passer

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3. Aaron Gordon, 6-8, 220, Arizona

STRENGTHS

* Above-average intensity

* Explosive finisher around the basket

* Good defender

WEAKNESSES

* Shooting touch virtually non-existent outside the paint

* Poor free throw shooter

* Tweener
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4. Adreian Payne 6-10, 245, Michigan State

STRENGTHS

* Good perimeter shooter

* His pick-and-pop game should translate well at the next level

* High character guy, strong work ethic

WEAKNESSES

* Doesn't create shots for himself or teammates

* Stamina a concern

* Inconsistent rebounder
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5. Clint Capela, 6-10, 222, Switzerland

STRENGTHS

* Above average athleticism

* 7-4 wing span

* Strong finisher around the rim

WEAKNESSES

* Basketball I.Q.

* Needs to get stronger

* Offensive skills a work in progress
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6. Jarnell Stokes, 6-8, 260, Tennessee

STRENGTHS

* Excellent offensive rebounder

* Has 7-1 wing span

* Effective finishing around the rim

WEAKNESSES

* Tweener

* Needs to develop a mid-range game

* Below-average lateral quickness

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7. James McAdoo, 6-9, 230, UNC

STRENGTHS

* Has 7-1 wing span

* Good rebounder and shot-blocker

* Runs the floor well

WEAKNESSES

* Ball-handling

* Needs to add strength

* No go-to move offensively
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8. Cory Jefferson, 6-9, 230, Baylor

STRENGTHS

* Better-than-average at running the floor

* Extremely efficient scorer around the basket

* Commits very few turnovers

WEAKNESSES

* He's 22 years old, but still very raw

* Thin frame, not likely to get much bigger

* Shot selection
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9. Dwight Powell, 6-10, 212, Stanford

STRENGTHS

* His go-to move, a right-handed hook shot, is difficult to stop

* High basketball I.Q.

* Has a nice face-to-the-basket game

WEAKNESSES

* Needs to add strength

* Below average rebounder for his size

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10. Ronald Roberts, 6-8, 225, St. Joseph's

STRENGTHS

* Powerfully built frame

* Good rebounder

* Moves well without the ball

WEAKNESSES

* Does not create for others

* Defense might be an issue against stretch PFs at next level

* Very raw and unrefined game offensively

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My current list:(based on my combined rankings)
EDITED per this weeks mock draft updates ( Number is overall ranking)

4. Randle
6. Vonleh
8. Gordon
18. Payne
20. Capela
25. Early ( they have him at SF I guess)
THIS IS THE FIRST ROUND LINE

37. J. Stokes
42. Patrick Young
44. I. Austin
46. D. Powell
48. Johnny O'Bryant
49. J. McAdoo
50. C. Jefferson
56. Khem Birch