But with two projected franchise players and their top pick at No. 3 overall, the Celtics’ draft haul was heavier on quantity than quality.
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Cal’s Tyrone Wallace was the final pick of the draft.
The addition of Oladipo gives this team the third scorer they were desperate for while also saving money.
This one is a toss-up between Thon Maker to the Bucks at No. 10, and Dragan Bender and Marquess Chriss to the Suns at Nos. “It does create a challenge for a guy that wants to be drawing up everything that we’re going to do on October 1”, he said. “I want to do a deal”. That’s one of the lengthiest teams in National Basketball Association history, and I’m interested in seeing how head coach Jason Kidd puts it all together. He could start right away. Guerson very productive and Ante very good rebounding … now we’re trying to figure out the best way they can help us for their development. The mighty-mite ball-handler has a great chance of sticking as the team’s backup point guard.
Boston Celtics season-ticket holders were out in full-force at TD Garden on Thursday night for a draft party, with hopes that a blockbuster move would allow the C’s to improve instantly. The second round is always a complete toss-up, but even though Ainge expressed that they got a guy they love anyways at 45 (Demetrius Jackson of Notre Dame, another guard), I didn’t love the reasoning for the trade.
Developing a jump shot will take his game to the next level. He is a ferocious dunker and a great rebounder.
Ainge noted that fan reaction isn’t a strong indicator of a player’s future performance. Though the Vanderbilt star is a bit of a tweener, he projects as a scoring point guard in the National Basketball Association.
Ainge was asked if there is increased external pressure to make a deal after a season in which Boston surged to 48 wins and seemed on the cusp of making the hard leap to true contender status in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks also picked later in the first round at number 21, where they probably could have still swooped up Prince. “That’s what I want to add, and bring some energy to the city”.
That definitely played a role in the Celtics’ thought process when they selected Brown.
The draft was almost two hours old when Denzel Valentine’s name was finally called by Commissioner Adam Silver. Malachi Richardson would have been a better option with their second pick.
Boston holds eight picks in this draft, including the No. 3 selection. It would have taken a minor miracle for them to rise out of this spot after their very bad first-round selection, though. Not only did they acquire a scorer to go with Durant, if he stays, and Russell Westbrook, but they freed up money to add pieces around Durant, who will listen to offers but would be smart to stay right where he is, even if it’s for one year (via an opt-out) as more money becomes available and he sees what Westbrook will do next summer. Murray was certainly productive in his lone season for Lorenzo Romar, averaging 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists as he earned second team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Freshman team honors.
Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine, the Associated Press Player of the Year, went 14th to Chicago to close the lottery. But since his medical records were not revealed, the Celtics went for Jaylen Brown instead even though it was not a popular choice for most Celtics’ Fans. However, the Celtics did not do enough with the potential they had in store. There’s an interesting parallel here with the Boston Bruins, who are also looking to upgrade with the National Hockey League draft looming this weekend, and are likely facing the same problem: a lot of picks, but no leverage to make an impact trade, and the Bruins, by the way, are in far worse shape than the Celtics heading into next year.
If the Celts are truly looking to push the needle now, there’s no way future draft assets can help them outside landing a stud via selection, which carries increasing uncertainty with global presence and young prospects.
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Either way, piggybacking on the reports that Ainge did have offers on the table for the third overall pick (from the Sixers), which eventually turned into Jaylen Brown, doesn’t bode well for Ainge. As a guard, that is not good.
