Celtics Draft Needs: Marksman

A glaring issue for the Boston Celtics is their three-point shooting percentage, something they should try to fix through the draft

The Boston Celtics have a war chest of assets. Those assets come in the form of young talent and an abundance of draft picks. This year, Danny Ainge has managed to land the Celtics’ three first-round picks. They hold their own pick, projected to be 23, the Dallas Mavericks’ pick, projected 17, and their most prized bargaining chip, the Brooklyn Nets’ pick, projected four.

With all those picks Ainge can address a number of needs. One of those primary needs is a deep threat. The Celtics currently sit 26^th in the league in shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Their only two players shooting over 40 percent from three are big men Kelly Olynyk at 41.3 percent and Jonas Jerebko at 40.9 percent. It’s always good having big men that can space the floor but not when the rest of your team struggles to knock down the long ball.

Here are some possible prospects the Celtics should target in this year’s upcoming draft…

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, SG, Senior, 6’4:

Throughout his collegiate career, the 22-year-old Sooner has established himself as a shooter. He is knocking down over 52 percent of his threes and loves to shoot in transition. He catches fire quickly, knocks down the tough shots, and forces defenders to have to come 26 feet out.

Hield has a strong work ethic, according to reports he shoots 500-700 times outside of team practices. It is clear that he has a burning fire to develop his game and he has improved in each of his four seasons with the Sooners. Hield is a proven slasher but one of his key weaknesses is distributing the ball, averaging only 2.1 assists per game this season. If Boston wants to address three-point shooting with Brooklyn’s pick, then Hield is the way to go.

NBA Comp: James Harden and C.J. McCollum

Furkan Korkmaz, Turkey, SG/SF, 1997, 6’7

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Korkmaz is regarded by many as the best shooter in this year’s draft class. He is hitting 50 percent of his long balls in Turkey. He always finds a way to let off a good shot when he has to, and that may be the most important skill.

He is not only a terrific shooter, but also an outstanding athlete. It is always a question of athleticism when it comes to international products, due to the competition. A player could dismantle defenses overseas, but not be able to take it to the rack in the NBA. Once the combine comes around, GMs will get a better understanding of the Turkish swingman.

Korkmaz’s weakness is his defense. He has quick hands, which lead to steals, but he simply gets abused in the post. He needs to bulk up to be effective at the NBA level. All and all, Korkmaz is a solid player and a strong pick at 17.

NBA Comp: Gordon Hayward

Caris LeVert, Michigan, SG, Senior, 6’7

LeVert is a lengthy two-guard and can easily see over his matchup. He is a good playmaker, as well as an excellent shooter. His three-point percentage is 44 percent this season for the Wolverines and is a strong catch-and-shoot target.

Like Korkmaz, he needs to add weight. His lack of being able to finish leads him to take more jumpers. However, as strong as a three-point threat as he is, he lacks that same ability in the mid-range game, according to Draftexpress.net, he shoots under 30 percent from between the arc and the paint.

LeVert is also not the most polished defender. His weaknesses are a true knock, but if Ainge does want to address three-point shooting with the 23^rd pick, LeVert is most likely all that will be left.

NBA Comp: Jeremy Lamb and Jamal Crawford

Personally, I would draft Korkmaz. I love Hield’s game, but I feel another issue should be addressed early in the draft. Hield is a strong player, but to take over Avery Bradley’s starting role will require a great deal of development. Bradley is perhaps the team’s strongest defender and knocks down 37 percent of his threes.

Korkmaz, on the other hand, is a great choice to fill the role of a shooter. He can play either the two or the three, which automatically gives him more of an opportunity to see more minutes. However, it will take time to take Jae Crowder’s role.

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Crowder is one of the most versatile players in the league, many people feel he was a snub from the All-Star Game, and he is unquestionably the heart and soul of that locker room. A strong shooter that can step into the game at any given minute is exactly what this Boston team needs.