The Boston Celtics are coming into tonight’s draft holding the rights to 3 first-round picks. Though this is currently the case, their agenda certainly is not set in stone.
It’s finally upon us, Boston Celtics fans; Draft day!
Thanks to the numerous savvy deals made over the years by General Manager and President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge, the team comes into tonight’s illustrious event in possession of 3 first-round selections, slotting in at 14th, 26th, and 30th overall.
This marks the third time in the past five seasons that the Cs hold this amount of picks, with the most recent time coming just last year.
Though Boston is heading into tonight’s draft with 3 first-round picks, this is not to say the event will unfold in the way numerous mocks are projecting them to for the franchise. In fact, based on many recent rumblings, the team’s front office could find themselves taking many different routes when it comes to their draft capital.
With all this in mind, the Houdini will discuss 3 different outcomes for the Boston Celtics in tonight’s draft:
Draft outcome for the Boston Celtics No.1) The Cs keep all their picks
Perhaps the least exciting outcome when considering all hypothetical scenarios, the idea of the Boston Celtics keeping all their picks is, of course, very realistic heading into this year’s draft.
Should this happen, we at HH have a few ideas on how their draft should play out. In my personal opinion, the most ideal turnout for the team would be for them to draft in this fashion:
Pick No. 14: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland
Pick No. 26: Leandro Bolmaro, G, Barcelona
Pick No. 30: Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota
For those of you who follow our work regularly — we love you guys — you already know how I feel about the Maryland sophomore big, Jalen Smith. In his final collegiate season, Smith turned himself from being considered a sound starter to a sure-fire NBA prospect. Through 31 games, the big man put up impressive averages of 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game on 54 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep on 2.8 attempts.
Likening him to that of a young and raw Chris Bosh-type of player, adding Smith in this year’s draft could prove to be a fantastic pick for the Boston Celtics.
Next, we see the team nab Euro-star, Leandro Bolmaro, who has been viewed by many analysts and somewhat of a Manu Ginóbili-lite. At 6-7, the wing has managed to tantalize his opposition offensively with his impressive combination of speed, ball control, and court vision.
Bolmaro could make for an impactful transition scorer and slasher off the pine while eventually providing the Celtics with another quality wing. Though he may need some time to develop, this selection would more so be seen as a long-term project.
Lastly in the first round, we see the Cs bring on an insurance policy at center should Jalen Smith not work out — though I highly doubt that — in Minessota big man, Daniel Oturu.
A well-rounded center prospect, Oturu registered 20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds (led the Big 10), and a whopping 2.5 blocks per game (led the Big 10) while shooting 56 percent from the field and 37 percent from downtown during his second and final season with the Minnesota Gophers.
With the amount of potential all 3 of these aforementioned players possess, should they keep all of their picks and have the night play out like this, in a years time perhaps we may be looking back and tabbing the Celtics as true draft-night winners.