The NBA Draft

The NBA lottery date is THIS THURSDAY, 8/20.  Not the draft, just the lottery.  We have a 97.6% chance of being #14.  Because we have an overwhelming likelihood of being #14 we can just start talking about this now, as if it were true.  Draft day is 10/16/20.  I expect to see the NBA create a bubble like they have in Orlando for an NBA Combine.  They will also lay out guidelines for how to conduct team workouts too, I suspect.  

NCAA college basketball fans an amateur NBA GMs, here is your chance to shine!

Let's kick this thread off with an article:



https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2020/08/16/who-will-the-boston-celtics-target-with-potential-lottery-pick-in-2020-nba-draft/#2f930c823a11



Who Will The Boston Celtics Target With Potential Lottery Pick In 2020 NBA Draft?



Chris Grenham
Chris GrenhamContributor
SportsMoney




ASSOCIATED PRESS



The Memphis Grizzlies officially have been eliminated from the postseason following a play-in matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. What does this mean for the Boston Celtics and their ownership of Memphis’ first-round pick?

Now that the Grizzlies have missed the playoffs, their pick will likely move to No. 14 (97.6 percent chance), with the very small possibility of jumping into the top four (2.4 percent chance). The pick is top-six protected, however, meaning if it moves into the top four, the Grizzlies keep the selection and it conveys to Boston next season (unprotected). That’s the best-case scenario for the Celtics, but Memphis moving into the top four remains highly unlikely. With that in mind, let’s assume Boston will be on the clock at No. 14.

Of note: The Grizzlies are locked into No. 14 or the top four. The NBA froze the lottery standings on March 11, meaning Memphis cannot get the No. 12 pick, for example.

Before Memphis missed out on the postseason, their pick would have gone to Boston at No. 17. There can’t be a huge difference between No. 14 and 17, right? Actually, in this class, there might be.

The 2020 class is a weak group, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good players toward the top of the board. Depth is a real issue with this draft. The quality of prospects drops off a cliff once you move into the mid-teens, so jumping three slots into the back-end of the lottery could make a meaningful difference.

The Celtics have three first-round picks, so there’s a good chance they look to package one or more of those selections in a trade. If they’re attempting to move up in the lottery, the No. 14 pick certainly has more trade value on draft night than No. 17.

If Boston stays put at 14, several solid plug-and-play prospects likely will be available. In a weaker class, electing to lean toward players with higher floors and lower ceilings tends to be is a smart mindset. The late lottery should include plenty of prospects who can help Boston’s depth immediately.

Here are some of the names Boston could target at No. 14:


Saddiq Bey, Villanova: Bey has one of the highest floors in the draft thanks to his basketball IQ, defensive versatility and well-rounded skill set. He could serve as a 3-and-D threat off the bench for Boston as early as next season, something Brad Stevens certainly could use in his rotation.

A big, confident shooter who can provide floor spacing would fit right in at TD Garden. Bey’s passing is an added bonus, which he combines with his feel for the game to occasionally act as a playmaker. He’s one of the best bets when it comes to 3-and-D wings in this class and his winning plays would draw Celtics fans in immediately.

Bey can effectively guard one through four if needed thanks to his excellent footwork and solid frame. That on-ball defense could help his stock rise as we move closer to draft night. He moves well for his size but has the strength to defend up against bigger lineups. Bey’s team defense is another major plus, which draft prospects often lack.

He’s a typical product of Jay Wright’s system, impacting the game on and off the ball. Villanova has produced plenty of quality role players over the past few years and there’s no reason to think Bey won’t continue that trend.

I dove into Bey’s potential fit in Boston here.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2020/04/17/why-the-celtics-need-to-target-saddiq-bey-in-2020-nba-draft/


Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt: Once again, we have the promising 3-and-D potential here with Nesmith. His sophomore season was cut short due to injury, but the 6-foot-6 wing shot 52.2 percent from deep in 14 games before being sidelined. His shot creation is a weakness, but that won’t matter for the time being as he’ll be thrown into countless catch-and-shoot situations wherever he lands. Nesmith was excellent coming off screens in his two seasons at Vanderbilt.

Besides floor spacing and shooting, Nesmith has the potential to be a solid defender thanks to his size and IQ. He can defend multiple spots with his strength and quickness, which bodes well for his future as a versatile wing defender at the pro level. To find another defensive tier, he’ll need to improve his lateral movement.

Florida State’s Devin Vassell is the premier 3-and-D prospect who perfectly fits Boston’s needs, but he’ll likely be off the board by 14. For this reason, he was not included on the target list.

Cole Anthony, North Carolina: Anthony certainly doesn’t fit the 3-and-D mold, but he’d be an interesting player for Boston to take a flier (of sorts) on if he slides to No. 14. There’s a good chance Anthony goes 1-13 thanks to his offensive ability, but if he starts to slip, he could fit the Celtics mold.

Boston is in need of scoring off the bench, in any form. Anthony had a rough lone season at North Carolina, but much of that was thanks to injuries and a brutal Tar Heels roster. He’s very athletic and can score with any guard in this class. If Boston has a chance to add Anthony’s offensive punch to its bench, it may be worthwhile at 14.


Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky: Maxey has a great feel for the game, something Boston’s front office values quite a bit. He’s a hard worker, who showcases a good motor, especially on the defensive end.

He’s not all that athletic, which limits his work off the dribble at times. Maxey’s finishing package is much more developed than most guards his age, however. If Boston wants to add guard depth, Maxey should be on its board at No. 14.


Kira Lewis Jr., Alabama: Lewis is another guard who boasts an impressive work ethic, but his athleticism is arguably his most appealing trait. His shot creation is in a good place thanks to his burst and quick-twitch tendencies, which would help Boston’s need for depth scoring. Lewis was a streaky shooter in his two seasons at Alabama, but his mechanics make him more projectable than other guards in the mid-first round. Lewis, like Maxey, could help fill the void left by Brad Wanamaker if he ultimately goes elsewhere after this season.

He’s a solid defender both on and off the ball, moving very well with good activity. If he can add some muscle and strength, Lewis should translate into a nice defender at the pro level.

With a lack of roster space, keeping all three first-round picks (14, 26 and 30) seems unlikely. I’ll have more on potential trade packages as we approach draft night. Want the Celtics to take a big man? I’ll have my favorite frontcourt targets over the next few weeks as well.

First things first, however. The draft lottery on Aug. 20 will confirm where the Memphis pick lands. Assuming it lands at No. 14, it’s all eyes on Oct. 17.


bob
MY NOTE: The various mock draft boards have not updated their projections with Memphis going 14th yet, but when they do those updates will be posted here.


.

my current favorites at #14 (if there):

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/precious-achiuwa/


https://nbadraftroom.com/p/saddiq-bey/


then with the two late picks :

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/zeke-nnaji/

or

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/vernon-carey-jr/


and as a draft and stash for one year I really like:

https://nbadraftroom.com/leandro-bolmaro/

who I see as a possible replacement for Hayward after his contract is up.

Just one dumb question. Why is it not a 100% chance of the pick being 14th?

db

Because Memphis is in the lottery and has a 2.7% chance of being a top 4 pick.

Got it! Thanks, worcester!

db

Another question. I'm guessing Memphis doesn't have any chance of landing between 7-13. How does that work? If they aren't in the Top 4, they remove all their lotto numbers/void them for picks 7-13?

I think they only "pick" the top 4 spots now.

since Memphis is at the end of the lottery, they can only move into the top 4 or stay at the bottom. ( if i understand correctly).

now IF they were say at the 10th spot right now, they could get 1,2,3,4, 10 or lower if any teams below them in the pecking order move into the top 4.

I hope that makes sense.

It does. Thanks kdp!

db

updated mock draft :

http://www.mynbadraft.com/NBA-Mock-Draft


I like the #14 pick a lot for the celtics. but at #26 I would snag Bolmaro (who they have going 27).

I also see Carey and Nnaji they have in the early second round, so my other two favorites would be available at #30 also.

this new mock I like a lot less


https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-nba-mock-draft/


LOL.

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/aaron-nesmith/

at #14

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/tyrese-maxey/

at #26

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/isaiah-stewart/

at #30

So officially now, this is our pick with no more conveying, correct?

db

yep

It may be a reach at #14 but I am most impressed with Jalen Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3n0OzRiSg

He's a 6' 10" guy that can rebound, defend, run the floor, score inside and shoot from deep. He looks like a perfect fit for the way the Celtics like to use their bigs in screen and roll/pop situations

I should also add that drafting another wing seems very likely.

I would be shocked if Danny uses all 4 picks. A trade up, a trade down or a trade out may be coming. But I think there is an NBA quality player at 14 if you choose the right one.

It makes sense to trade #30 out of the first round (in other words, for a 2nd rounder) with some team in order to in move #26 or #14 up a position or two.

It also makes more sense to trade both #30 and #26 picks for just one 2nd rounder in order to in move #14 up more than just a position or two.

We than can trade a couple 2nd rounders with some cash to a team to get an early 2nd rounder.

The results then would be #10 (plus or minus 1) and #33 (plus or minus 1).

We have enough youth for now.  Maybe #33 is draft and stash so we only add one new young guy this season.

That is my pie in the sky hope.  

gyso

dboss wrote:It may be a reach at #14 but I am most impressed with Jalen Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3n0OzRiSg

He's a 6' 10" guy that can rebound, defend, run the floor, score inside and shoot from deep.  He looks like a perfect fit for the way the Celtics like to use their bigs in screen and roll/pop situations

I should also add that drafting another wing seems very likely.  

I would be shocked if Danny uses all 4 picks.  A trade up, a trade down or a trade out may be coming.  But I think there is an NBA quality player at 14 if you choose the right one.

He sure looks great in these clips, hope he is still there. I say flip everybody, we can win, go all the way to the top with a young crew. I’m expecting good things from Romeo and the Williams brothers going forward, draft this kid and hope we get lucky with a good PG type in next rounds.

gyso wrote:It makes sense to trade #30 out of the first round (in other words, for a 2nd rounder) with some team in order to in move #26 or #14 up a position or two.

It also makes more sense to trade both #30 and #26 picks for just one 2nd rounder in order to in move #14 up more than just a position or two.

We than can trade a couple 2nd rounders with some cash to a team to get an early 2nd rounder.

The results then would be #10 (plus or minus 1) and #33 (plus or minus 1).

We have enough youth for now.  Maybe #33 is draft and stash so we only add one new young guy this season.

That is my pie in the sky hope.  

gyso

All great options.

I would be happy if we can come away with one quality guy who can be a rotation guy with the ability to become a starter down the road (2-3 years)

Love the idea. I'll be surprised if we can pull it off. Shocked, actually. Who is going to trade a relatively high first round pick for even all our picks? Nobody with a brain.This isn't the NFL , with 53 player rosters

cowens/oldschool wrote:

dboss wrote:It may be a reach at #14 but I am most impressed with Jalen Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3n0OzRiSg

He's a 6' 10" guy that can rebound, defend, run the floor, score inside and shoot from deep.  He looks like a perfect fit for the way the Celtics like to use their bigs in screen and roll/pop situations

I should also add that drafting another wing seems very likely.  

I would be shocked if Danny uses all 4 picks.  A trade up, a trade down or a trade out may be coming.  But I think there is an NBA quality player at 14 if you choose the right one.

He sure looks great in these clips, hope he is still there. I say flip everybody, we can win, go all the way to the top with a young crew. I’m expecting good things from Romeo and the Williams brothers going forward, draft this kid and hope we get lucky with a good PG type in next rounds.

Cow I am reminded that so much goes into selecting a player beyond all those great highlight reels. Usually we find out after the fact why Danny liked this guy over that guy. Danny has positional options (guard, wing, big or combo guy) at 14. I think we have to consider finding a replacement for GH and we will need to groom a PG behind Kemba. With limited roster space we cannot use all 4 picks. I say take the best player available at 14 and if there is a better guy at 10 maybe trade up.

Maybe trade 30 for a 2nd this year and a future 1st.

It seems to me that the wing position has become the most coveted option. So I would not be upset if 14 yielded another one. Or if Smith was drafted I could live with that.

Smith may be two years away from being two years away...or at least need two years in and NBA weight room before he can compete at the NBA level.

edit; I was thinking the McDaniels guy from Washington NOT Smith from Maryland...my bad.

Smith added some weight in his second year at Maryland.

most mocks have him going later in the first round., but one never knows with Danny!!

this draft has no real star power at the top and seems to have more overseas guys than most years also.

might be one of those drafts where the picks are all over the place.

kdp59 wrote:Smith may be two years away from being two years away...or at least need two years in and NBA weight room before he can compete at the NBA level.

edit; I was thinking the McDaniels guy from Washington NOT Smith from Maryland...my  bad.

Smith added some weight in his second year at Maryland.

most mocks have him going later in the first round., but one never knows with Danny!!

this draft has no real star power at the top and seems to have more overseas guys than most years also.

might be one of those drafts where the picks are all over the place.

Very true

I think you can look at 14-30 and just hope Danny picks the right guy. Jaden McDaniels by the way is described as a head case, I do not if that is true.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2020/08/21/celtics-nba-draft-picks-2020



The Celtics officially have the No. 14 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. What now?


What are Boston’s options on draft night now that the lottery order has been confirmed?



Danny Ainge in 2019. –John Tlumacki/Globe Staff



By Chris Grenham
August 21, 2020 | 8:04 AM


We finally know for certain how many picks the Boston Celtics will have in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Celtics traded Jeff Green to Memphis in 2015, and the Grizzlies sent back a first-round pick in return. Thursday’s draft lottery confirmed that selection will convey to the Celtics this year in the form of the No. 14 overall pick. So, now what?

Boston owns the Nos. 14, 26, 30 and 47 picks, but the 2020 NBA Draft is anything but normal, much like everything else over the last eight months. The coronavirus pandemic has eliminated in-person workouts, interviews and pro days leading up to Oct. 16, making it all the more difficult for teams to evaluate prospects. With virtual interviews being their only outlet, NBA teams are as limited as ever when it comes to evaluation tools ahead of the draft. In an already-weak class, the uncertainty is through the roof.

So you might be saying to yourself, “Wow, that doesn’t sound good. What an awful draft to have three first-round picks in.” And you’re partially right. The loaded 2021 class would be a much better place to use those picks, assuming the process is back to at least semi-normal by then. But the Celtics are in a luxurious position, as the No. 14 slot provides a great opportunity to get a role player who can contribute off the bench right away.

With all of that in mind, what are Boston’s options on draft night now that the lottery order has been confirmed?


Trades

Danny Ainge is no stranger to swapping picks, and that certainly will be on the table this year. A weak class, an abnormal pre-draft process and a lack of roster space point toward the Celtics packaging those picks to move up, down or even out if they don’t like the board in front of them.

Boston’s lack of roster space needs to be emphasized when considering how the front office will consider handling its haul of draft picks. It’s very possible that the Celtics have just two open roster spots this offseason, making it difficult to slide more than one rookie into an active spot.

Unfortunately, completing a trade won’t be easy.

Thanks to the aforementioned reasons, draft picks this year won’t hold as much value. A late-lottery pick, like Boston’s No. 14 selection, doesn’t hold the same weight in 2020 as it does in a deeper class. It may be tough convincing teams that the No. 14 pick is the centerpiece they’re looking for in a trade. On the bright side, Memphis missing the playoffs helped the Celtics move up three slots, and No. 14 is more valuable than No. 17. Boston also has the luxury of holding four picks, meaning they can sweeten the pot much more than most other trade partners by adding on their additional assets.

If a player on Boston’s board begins to slide in the early first-round, you could see Ainge make a push to package picks, and even one of the Celtics young players, to move into the back-end of the top 10. Yes, it’s a weak class, but there are plenty of prospects with high floors who could help the Celtics as early as next season. If Boston has a shot at one of its targets, don’t be surprised to see them move multiple picks to jump up a few spots. However, in a class where evaluating has become increasingly difficult, some teams may stay away from wasting assets to slide up just a few slots.

Trading back doesn’t seem like a great option this year, unless you find a draft-and-stash prospect who is willing to develop overseas. With a crowded Celtics roster, a late first-round or second-round pick in this draft could find themselves spending time in the G League over their first year or two. Right now, there’s no guarantee the G League season will even take place next year due to its reliance on commercial airline travel. Because of that, stashing players overseas may become a popular option among teams with late-first and second-round selections. Bottom-line: the further back you move, the more uncertainty you run into. The draft-and-stash route sounds appealing, but there aren’t a ton of options in this class.

Of course, if we’re talking draft deals with Ainge, you always have to consider trading out for a future first-round selection. As of now, the 2021 draft will be the first instance in seven years where the Celtics don’t have a chance at owning another team’s first-round selection. That could change if Ainge doesn’t like what he’s seeing on draft night.


Potential targets

As I previously mentioned, this class may not have the depth some draft experts look for, but there’s no shortage of projectable role players who can contribute right off the bat. Targeting players with higher floors and lower ceilings this year would benefit the Celtics immensely, and there’s a bunch of players under that umbrella who come to mind.

It’s no secret that Boston could use some shooting off the bench. Saddiq Bey and Aaron Nesmith are two 3-and-D players who could jump into the Celtics’ rotation immediately. They’re big, confident shooters, smart team defenders and would provide some much-needed floor spacing. Both players would be ideal choices at the No. 14 slot.


Villanova forward Saddiq Bey. —AP

With Brad Wanamaker hitting free agency this offseason, Boston could look for guard depth on draft night. Tyrese Maxey and Cole Anthony would be terrific backcourt options at No. 14 if available. Maxey is a workhorse on the defensive end and a creative scorer, while Anthony would provide a terrific scoring punch off the bench.

If the Celtics look to improve their frontcourt, picks 26 and/or 30 would likely be best. Players like Xavier Tillman, Jalen Smith, Paul Reed, Zeke Nnaji or Killian Tillie are all intriguing big man options that could bolster Boston’s interior presence.

Picks No. 26, 30 and 47, if retained, all should be considered spots where the Celtics could choose a draft-and-stash prospect. With virtually no roster space, this option makes the most sense from both a salary cap and roster building standpoint. It oftentimes is difficult to find prospects willing to go this route, however. You would want to go straight to the NBA too, right?

As you can see, a batch of four selections gives the Celtics a multitude of options heading into draft night. Packaging those picks and moving up to get the best role player possible seems like a promising option, considering the uncertainty that arises in many forms as you continue to drop in this year’s draft. But, as we know, Ainge often zigs when people predict a zag, so we’ll just have to wait until Oct. 16 to get our answers.


bob


.

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports
No. 14: Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
No. 26: Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State
No. 30: Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona



Jonathan Givony, ESPN
No. 14: Killian Hayes, G, ULM
No. 26: Robert Woodard II, F, Mississippi State
No. 30: Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas



Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated
No. 14: Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL Basket
No. 26: Jaden McDaniels, SG, Washington
No. 30: Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech



Updated order for first round of 2020 NBA Draft
Ricky O'Donnell, SB Nation
No. 14: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
No. 26: Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State
No. 30: Tre Jones, PG, Duke



James Ham, NBC Sports Bay Area
No. 14: Precious Achiuwa, PF/C Memphis
No. 26: Josh Green, SG, Arizona
No. 30: Jalen Smith, C, Maryland



Forsberg: How Horford's departure redefined these C's
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
No. 14: Precious Achiuwa, PF/C Memphis
No. 26: Zeke Nnaji, C, Arizona
No. 30: Tre Jones, PG, Duke



Tankathon
No. 14: Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State
No. 26: Tyler Bey, SF, Colorado
No. 30: Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke



Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports
No. 14: Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
No. 26: Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
No. 30: Leandro Bolmaro, SF, Barcelona


.

#14; Vernon Carey/Isaiah Stewart... In order, if available
#26; Isaiah Stewart/Zeke Nnjai/Udoka Azubuike... In order, if available
#30; Tre Jones

I think we should be looking at adding a rotation/starter level guy.  It may be a 2-3 year development window.  #14 is not a bad place to find one.

2019 Romeo Langford, Indiana – Boston Celtics
2018 Michael Porter, University of Missouri – Denver Nuggets
2017 Bam Adebayo, Kentucky – Miami HEAT
2016 Denzel Valentine, Michigan State – Chicago Bulls
2015 Cameron Payne, Murray State – Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 TJ Warren, NC State – Phoenix Suns
2013 Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA – Utah Jazz
2012 John Henson, UNC – Milwaukee Bucks
2011 Marcus Morris, Kansas – Houston Rockets
2010 Patrick Patterson, Kentucky – Houston Rockets

The problem with the draft and stash option is that Danny has NEVER been successful doing that plus you are pretty much limiting your option to international players.  I think #30 or our 2nd rounder could be one of them.

We need a guy who can shoot and defend multiple positions.  Initially a rotation guy.  But hopefully a guy that already has the shooting mechanics to hit the ground running.  We really do not need a guy who is primarily a defensive specialist.  We need a score/shooter that will make our rotation better offensively.

I think Danny could move up to 10 or 11.  However he may not have to because there are several guys that would fit that should be waiting at 14.

I am not worried about losing Brad Wanamaker.  He has earned a raise but he ain't getting $5 million per.  I think even in a free agency battle we keep him for $2.5 million.

There is nobody in the top 10 that I can look at and feel, yep that is definitely a future allstar.  

What this means to me is that we are just as likely to find a diamond in the rough staying put.  We will not be using all 4 picks.  We need to deal with a bottom feeder for future draft assets.

NYCelt wrote:#14; Vernon Carey/Isaiah Stewart... In order, if available
#26; Isaiah Stewart/Zeke Nnjai/Udoka Azubuike... In order, if available
#30; Tre Jones

So you like these beefy guys, are they Sully types or do they have enough mobility to compete at the next level?

I like Stewart at #26. Think Bam Adebayo.

At 14 I think we really need another wing (shooter, defender with interchangeable positional skills) I think Semi is gone because his upside may not matter much. I think VP is gone in a trade. I think Green is on the bubble and will be cut if we draft a wing.

At 30... trade, trade, trade or stash. At 47 roll the dice and maybe a guy like Riller is there or trade or stash