Boston Celtics First Round Draft Targets

Despite the draft being a month away, Boston Celtics fans have now turned their attention to the offseason and, most importantly, NBA Draft Night.

The Celtics drafted Marcus Smart and James Young last year; Smart really came on strong at the end of the year, but Young never showed that promise the Celtics saw during his days at Kentucky. So with glaring needs of rim protectors and scorers on the wing, the Celtics will enter draft night looking to fill those needs.

Apr 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) loses the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36), forward Brandon Bass (30) and guard Avery Bradley (0) in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Some possible NBA Draft targets for the Celtics include:

With their first pick:

Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky): This is essentially a pipe dream for Celtics fans, as Cauley-Stein is expected to go in the top 7, but if Ainge can trade up (or Cauley-Stein’s stock falls), the Celtics could be able draft the best defensive center in the country. However, Cauley-Stein’s offense is pretty horrendous at times, making him a raw prospect in most aspects.

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) drives against Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men

Myles Turner (Texas): While more attainable than Cauley-Stein, Turner is still likely out of the Celtics’ range, so they will likely need to trade up to get him. Turner is not the most athletic player, but he is an excellent shot-blocker and has a developing jump-shot/post game. However, he isn’t always, say, the most fluid player out on the court.

Mar 7, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Myles Turner (52) shoots against Kansas State Wildcats forward Thomas Gipson (42) during the first half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Mario Hezonja (Croatia): While I personally believe Hezonja could end up being one of the 2 or 3 best players in the draft, you would probably need to trade up to get him. He’s a strong prospect, is seriously athletic and is an excellent 3 point shooter, something you look for nowadays in NBA wing players.

Bobby Portis (Arkansas): Portis is someone you probably don’t need to trade up for, making him a more likely option than other players. Portis is a decent offensive player and a very good defensive player, but doesn’t block shots and lacks explosiveness on both ends.

Mar 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis (10) looks for an open teammate as Wofford Terriers forward C.J. Neumann (31) defends in the second half of a game in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Kevon Looney (UCLA): Looney is a good shot-blocker and creates matchup problems due to his ability to score on the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop, but isn’t a center and isn’t as strong as he should be. Another issue is that he played in mostly zone at UCLA.

Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) controls the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) during the first half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Dekker (Wisconsin): Dekker is like a poor-man’s Hezonja, but he is definitely closer to a finished product than Hezonja. He’s a decent shooter, good rebounder and is very underrated at getting to the basket. Dekker’s stock really rose as Wisconsin went on their NCAA Tournament run.

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) does a reverse lay-up in front of Duke Blue Devils guard Quinn Cook (2) during the first half in the 2015 NCAA Men

Montrezl Harrell (Louisville): This is unlikely, but Harrell is a shot of energy to almost any team he plays for. He’s a good rebounder and shot-blocker and gives maximum effort, but has no post game whatsoever and struggles with defensive discipline.

Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) handles the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the second half in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Lyles (Kentucky): This would be a disaster for Celtics fans, as Lyles can’t defend or block shots, but is a good offensive player, so basically he wouldn’t add anything new to a frontcourt that desperately needs something new.

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Trey Lyles (41) dunks the ball during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers of the 2015 NCAA Men

With their second pick:

Christian Wood (UNLV): Wood is a very good rebounder/shot-blocker, and can score in the face-up game, but is super skinny and got beat up inside at times last year and is an unclear position.

Terry Rozier (Louisville): Rozier simply can’t shoot, but is a good defender and can score on drives.

Chris McCullough (Syracuse): Good shot-blocker/defender, zero offensive game. Plus he played in a 2-3 zone.

Justin Anderson (Virginia): Improved offensive player in college and is a very good defensive player as well; low-risk player that could give the Celtics a big athletic boost.

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