Boston Celtics Draft Profile: Brandon Ingram

The Boston Celtics may need luck on their side to get a high enough pick to land Brandon Ingram. That Being said, seeing him anywhere in the top five would not be too surprising and that should be right where the Celtics are picking. Brandon Ingram already has the exact kind of versatility that is ideal for Stevens’ offense. Ingram has the potential to be a dominant force in the Celtics offense.

Ingram’s size gives him the possibility to play anywhere in the front court for the Celtics. Jae Crowder is unlikely to be taken out of the starting lineup but Ingram is around the same height of both of starting forwards on the team. Stevens would be able to easily integrate Ingram into any kind of lineup. Ingram could be another stretch 5 for the team with their 4 guard lineup and he could bring the offensive potential that the Celtics have always hoped Jared Sullinger would bring.

Ingram is already a deadly three point shooter. 41% on 5.4 attempts per game could be the best on the Celtics and with their ball movement, he has a good chance to get even better once he is comfortable in a system that will perfectly accommodate his versatility. Ingram gives Brad Stevens an ideal forward to stretch the floor. Whether it be the 3, 4 or 5 the Celtics would flourish with the space created by his threat from beyond the arc.

The Celtics are one of the worst three point shooting teams in the league but if they get a forward that can approach 40% from three then they will have a much easier path to get to where they want to be. The best part of Ingram is that he can be so much more on top of the three point shooting.

Ingram has already developed a great shot fake and he does a great job of using his length to score in the paint. Ingram could potentially get a lot of mismatches depending on how Stevens uses him in the lineup. Ingram is already good enough to know how to attack those match ups. Ingram can do everything that Stevens needs in an offensive player and he can do it from multiple positions.

Ingran has proven that he can be a capable player with the ball in his hands and off ball. Ingram is the kind of offensive talent that Stevens will want to run the offense through, and that requires both on and off ball skills. The Celtics always depend on great ball movement and that will put Ingram in great positions to succeed. Ingram, however, has the talent to be the instigator. The Celtics lack a big that is capable of running the offense but Ingram undoubtedly has that potential.

With time to adjust and learn in Stevens’ system, Ingram could become an unstoppable force in the NBA. If he could also develop his body and gain the strength he will need at the next level, then he will be terrorizing defenses for a long time. The problem is that he still needs that development, especially on the defensive end.

The Celtics have indicated on multiple occasions that defense is a priority in the draft. Ingram would initially be one of the worst defensive forwards on the Celtics and that could be a problem. The Celtics depend too much on their defense to have a liability on the court. That being said, the potential is still there. Ingram has a lot of room to improve physically and that could be the difference maker.

Ingram may not have the strength and size to be an intimidating force in the paint, but his length could be incredibly useful to the Celtics. Their defense is at its best when the players are active and disrupting ball movement. Ingram’s ability to get in passing lanes and force opposing offenses into tougher situations could make up for his lack of strength.

The Celtics have proven that they can be successful on defense without a great force in the paint and Ingram has the kind of offensive potential where he does not need to be a standout on defense. As long as Ingram is active and involved on the defensive end then his length will put him and the other Celtics defenders in better positions. Ingram may not be a difference maker on the defensive end, but Stevens should find a way to prevent him form being a total liability.

Next: Boston Celtics Free Agent Target Harrison Barnes

Ingram’s offensive potential may be the best in the draft. He has demonstrated that he will be able to shoot the three in the NBA and his ability to take advantage on his length in the paint separates him from other shooters. Ingram is incredibly dynamic and can be trusted with any opportunity on the court, a trait that is perfect for Stevens’ system that can generate opportunities in various ways for him.