some early draft talk.

Just a little filler.  Here are who the mock drafts have us taking at #17, #26 and #30. All mock drafts updated in May.

My opinion, for the bare bones minimum it is worth, is that Danny may do another Yabusele draft-and-stash with the #17, pick someone that fits a specific limited role with #26 (an inexpensive risk) and trade out of the first round for the #30 (2nd rounders don't have guaranteed contracts).  I think there's going to be a lot of international talent drafted this year.  Even with a shortened season a 19 year old Euro has played professionally for at least 1-2 years.

#17

Mynbadraft.com - Jaden McDaniels, Washington.  6'10", 185#.  SF/PF.  Freshman.

Nbadraft.net - RJ Hampton, Playing in New Zealand, 6'4", 175#.  PG/SG.  Decided to play overseas instead of NCAA.
https://www.nbadraft.net/players/rj-hampton/



Tankathon - Aleksev Pokusevski, Olympiakos, 7'0, 201#, PF.  http://www.tankathon.com/players/aleksej-pokusevski


#26

Mynbadraft.com - Isaiah Stewart, Washington, 6'9", 245#, PF/C.  Freshman.
http://www.mynbadraft.com/NBA-Draft-Profiles-2020/Isaiah-Stewart



Nbadraft.net - Isaiah Stewart.

Tankathon - Vernon Carey Jr., Duke, 6'10", 265#, C.
http://www.tankathon.com/players/vernon-carey-jr


#30

Mynbadraft.com - Devon Dotson, Kansas, 6'2", 185#.  PG.

Nbadraft.net - Tre Jones, Duke, 6'2", 185#, PG.

Tankathon - Tyrell Terry, Stanford, 6'1", 160#, PG.


bob
MY NOTE:  I don't understand those midget PG picks.  We have Tremont Waters.  He's the same size, will be cheaper than a 1st round pick, has a year in Brad's system and has played some NBA ball.


.

I don't understand how anyone can be PF at 6'10" and 185# or a center at 7'0" and 201#. We need height and beef. Not twigs.

worcester wrote:I don't understand how anyone can be  PF at 6'10" and 185# or a center at 7'0" and 201#. We need height and beef. Not twigs.

Toatally agree

Worcester and Cowens,

Jayson Tatum was 6'8", 208# when he was drafted.  He was a scarecrow but he had broad shoulders and looked like he could add muscle onto his frame, which he did.  This 7'er is 19 years old.  When I was 19 you could have played marimba on my rib cage.

Suppose this 7'er can run like the wind on the fast break precisely because he isn't lugging a lot of weight around?  Tell me you wouldn't love to see that?


bob


.

Jayson was never a twig.

bobheckler wrote:Worcester and Cowens,

Jayson Tatum was 6'8", 208# when he was drafted.  He was a scarecrow but he had broad shoulders and looked like he could add muscle onto his frame, which he did.  This 7'er is 19 years old.  When I was 19 you could have played marimba on my rib cage.

Suppose this 7'er can run like the wind on the fast break precisely because he isn't lugging a lot of weight around?  Tell me you wouldn't love to see that?


bob


.

bob

There's always a chance that a player of such a slim build will develop into a hulking defensive low post standout - but it's the odds of it becoming a reality that bother me.

swish

We have enough guys that can get up and down the floor at 1-4. We need a monster defensive 5 type, if RW can be best version of himself we’re good. But with his injury history good to get another dirty work type 5.

247 Sports

https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/2020-NBA-Mock-Draft-projections-Anthony-Edwards-LaMelo-Ball-James-Wiseman-Obi-Toppin-Cole-Anthony-147068477/#147068477_14

has the Celtics drafting

17. BOSTON CELTICS: R.J. HAMPTON, SG, NEW ZEALAND

26. Boston Celtics: Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota

30. BOSTON CELTICS: JAHMI'US RAMSEY, SG, TEXAS TECH

I like Oturu.  I like Carey.  I like Jalen Smith.   The missing piece for the Celtics to become a championship club begins and ends with the quality of their big men.  I believe either one of these guys can help our team.  Smith is the more athletic of the 3 in terms of running the floor and shooting (37% from deep and 75% from the line this season)  He would be a great fit because he can stretch the floor and he is a solid rebounder and shot blocker (10.5 RPG and 2.4 Blocks)


Smith is not as physically dominating as Oturu and Carey but he can and will get stronger.  He should be available at 17.  But maybe not at 26.


After securing a quality big I would look for a shooter.  This team lacks a quality shooter off the bench.  With 3 first rounders Boston should be able to add 2 quality pieces if they are willing to do a 2 for 1 deal.


Last year Boston added a wing that is a pretty good defender, ball handler and slasher but a questionable shooter.  An undersized PF that plays below the rim and struggles to make wide open shots.  A pair of midget PG's and a giant of a center who still looks awkward and lacks stamina playing in an uptempo setting.


From my observations Danny did little to improve the team year over year.  He has another chance to get it right this year.  

The word went out to Isaiah Stewart that he has to land in Boston.

By me.

My son was playing X-Box with Isaiah the other night and I told him to pass it along.

Now if we can get a little cooperation from those that make those decisions...

Stewart has gotten even bigger than last time we saw him here at the tourney last year. He will probably be among the strongest, most physical forwards in the league. He's been doing insane workouts and is even more ripped than in this video. A little under the height we want at 6'9", but is the defensive stopper we're looking for. Good rebounder and he has a decent mid-range shot too. Whoever did that video completely neglected any defensive clips, and that is a shame. If not Vernon Carey, Isaiah's the guy in my book. Either Stewart on the floor with Tatum and Theis/Williams, or Carey with Tatum, and we're better in the front-court. Add a PG and scorer to strengthen rotation possibilities and upgrade the bench; get 'em via draft or free-agency, and you can plan on booking your Eastern Conference Finals tickets. Maybe more.

Stewart would be a beast and a great addition.

swish wrote:

bobheckler wrote:Worcester and Cowens,

Jayson Tatum was 6'8", 208# when he was drafted.  He was a scarecrow but he had broad shoulders and looked like he could add muscle onto his frame, which he did.  This 7'er is 19 years old.  When I was 19 you could have played marimba on my rib cage.

Suppose this 7'er can run like the wind on the fast break precisely because he isn't lugging a lot of weight around?  Tell me you wouldn't love to see that?


bob


.

 bob

There's always a chance that a player of such a slim build will develop into a hulking defensive low post standout - but it's the odds of it becoming a reality that bother me.

 swish

Swish,

I think the days of the "hulking low post" player is past, but if it isn't he would be a role player and we have Tacko for a role player. You don't get much more hulking and low post than that.

Defensive standouts in the low post are more likely to be the Nerlens Noel or Robert Williams type.  Long and mobile.


bob


.

We are 29th out of 30 in bench scoring this year. I think our path to the Finals and #18 is clear: we need a backcourt gunner off the bench, a Lou Williams/Terrence Ross type. We already have Kanter as a low post scorer, if he comes back next year. If Smart comes off the bench we need a backcourt mate who he can pass to.


bob


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Cogent reasoning Bob. Any chance Romeo could be an off the bench scorer for us next year or else what's his name from Purdue who once upon a time had a 3 point shot?

worcester wrote:Jayson was never a twig.

Worcester,

With all due respect 6'8", 208# is a twig.  Jaylen is 6'7", 225#.  Smart is 6'3", 220#.  Hayward is 6'8", 225#.  Hell, Donovan Mitchell is 6'1", 216#.


bob


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I was defining twig as 6'10" 185# or 7'0" 200#. Compared to those guys he was never a twig. But yes, Jayson was thin to start. Fortunately, he has really packed on some muscle weight since.

worcester wrote:I was defining twig as 6'10" 185# or 7'0" 200#. Compared to those guys he was never a twig. But yes, Jayson was thin to start. Fortunately, he has really packed on some muscle weight since.

Worcester,

7', 200# isn't a twig.  It's a Pointillist artist's impression of a twig.


bob


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Ahh, now you are reminding me of my visit to the Musee D'Orsay in September which was enguled by pointillist paintings.

bobheckler wrote:

swish wrote:

bobheckler wrote:Worcester and Cowens,

Jayson Tatum was 6'8", 208# when he was drafted.  He was a scarecrow but he had broad shoulders and looked like he could add muscle onto his frame, which he did.  This 7'er is 19 years old.  When I was 19 you could have played marimba on my rib cage.

Suppose this 7'er can run like the wind on the fast break precisely because he isn't lugging a lot of weight around?  Tell me you wouldn't love to see that?


bob


.

 bob

There's always a chance that a player of such a slim build will develop into a hulking defensive low post standout - but it's the odds of it becoming a reality that bother me.

 swish

Swish,

I think the days of the "hulking low post" player is past, but if it isn't he would be a role player and we have Tacko for a role player.  You don't get much more hulking and low post than that.

Defensive standouts in the low post are more likely to be the Nerlens Noel or Robert Williams type.  Long and mobile.


bob


.

Exactly the 5 has to be able to rumble in the paint and be mobile enough to chase the perimeter, a Cowens or
KG clone sure would work....

bobheckler wrote:We are 29th out of 30 in bench scoring this year.  I think our path to the Finals and #18 is clear:  we need a backcourt gunner off the bench, a Lou Williams/Terrence Ross type. We already have Kanter as a low post scorer, if he comes back next year.  If Smart comes off the bench we need a backcourt mate who he can pass to.


bob


.

Bob,

"We are 29th out of 30 in bench scoring this year. "

IMO, much of the poor results in our bench scoring was due to injuries and lack of experience. With another year under our belts (and less injuries to our starters and/or 6th and 7th players) I expect that stat to improve.

That being said, an experienced backcourt gunner off the bench would be a nice addition.

gyso

gyso

I have to agree with you regarding inexperience off the bench as being one aspect of the team' s overall ranking.

However there is another aspect that reflects what they did not accomplish.  It's called lack of  talent and positional fit.  

I really do not see much upside from our draft class last year.  I think Romeo Langford has a chance to be a good player once he fixes his jump shot.  But he has the size and length that you want from the wing position.  He can play defense, get to the rim and handle the ball a bit.

The rest of the bunch remain questionable and I do not think they will be in the league a few years down the road.  All of them should show some improvement but I do not see where that will make our bench strong.

We needed a shooter/scorer off the bench and that remains a big need.  We need size, length and athleticism on our front line.   With 3 first rounders Danny should be able to draft a big and a shooter and use free agency to add a veteran to strengthen the bench play.

What happened to Carson Edwards?

worcester wrote:What happened to Carson Edwards?

Not much. Therein lies the problem.

dboss wrote:gyso

I have to agree with you regarding inexperience off the bench as being one aspect of the team' s overall ranking.

However there is another aspect that reflects what they did not accomplish.  It's called lack of  talent and positional fit.  

I really do not see much upside from our draft class last year.  I think Romeo Langford has a chance to be a good player once he fixes his jump shot.  But he has the size and length that you want from the wing position.  He can play defense, get to the rim and handle the ball a bit.

The rest of the bunch remain questionable and I do not think they will be in the league a few years down the road.  All of them should show some improvement but I do not see where that will make our bench strong.

We needed a shooter/scorer off the bench and that remains a big need.  We need size, length and athleticism on our front line.   With 3 first rounders Danny should be able to draft a big and a shooter and use free agency to add a veteran to strengthen the bench play.

Agreed.

I thought last year's draft was a gamble in a year where the front office felt there wasn't much help available in the spots we owned. I give them points for creativity. In the preseason and early on I was hopeful Edwards and G Williams were going to be productive, but I don't see it happening. I thought Romeo was the biggest gamble of the bunch. I'm still not sold he'll become anything, but I certainly hope so.

There are bigs, PGs and shooters available in our projected draft spots this year. Unless something goes very wrong, we should be able to fill those three holes between the draft and FAs. We can never rule out a trade either. I think the possibilities are good.

Carsen looks and plays like a shooting guard in a Point Guard body.  but cannot run an offense.  His handle is average and his lack of size makes it more difficult for him to get off his shot over taller defenders.  He looked terrific in summer league.  He's a nice kid and he hustles all over the place.

Maybe he gets better next year and is able to earn more playing time.  Right now he is in a tough spot with all the PG's on the team.  Danny signed him to a very unusual 4 year deal (for a 2nd rounder) so the Celtics must see some worthy upside.  I however do not see it.  I hope I am wrong and have to eat a little crow.

Bob

There are several bigs that may be there at 17.

Carey, Stewart and Oturu are potential picks.  Oturu had the best numbers however with his 20 PPG and 11 rebounds.  He also had 2.4 Blocks per game.  These 3 project as centers.  I would be happy if Boston were to get one of them.   

If Boston goes PF I really like Achiuwa and Jalen Smith.

This year I hope that the Celtics fill their need for a big.  After that I really do not care what position they draft for.  I would be ok if they drafted 2 bigs.

The way I see it both VP and EK are short timers, RW is a injury risk and Tacko Fall is a developmental player.   DT is our most reliable big man.