Grade the Celtics' Draft
- Thread starter BigSoxFan
- Start date
Ainge drafted Brown too high, drafted Yabusele too high, couldn't find a decent trade of rookies for experience, and his only trade was a 2-for-1 value-subtraction trade in high second rounders. Having too many draft picks certainly reduced their value. It's not that easy to swing a deal in the NBA, even for one of Philadelphia's overstocked big men.
Overall, a very disappointing haul.
Overall, a very disappointing haul.
I might change my vote, but I went B.
Brown I think is a decent pick at 3, the order of the rest is weird, but if they went Zizic, Jackson at 16/23 then Yabusele and Bentil in the second I think people would think it was excellent.
I also like the trade, nobody there was a sure thing to even make the roster out of camp and Qi was the only stashable guy there. A likely mid-late 1st in a few years is an acceptable return (a few picks later went for straight cash so I doubt there were better offers).
Brown I think is a decent pick at 3, the order of the rest is weird, but if they went Zizic, Jackson at 16/23 then Yabusele and Bentil in the second I think people would think it was excellent.
I also like the trade, nobody there was a sure thing to even make the roster out of camp and Qi was the only stashable guy there. A likely mid-late 1st in a few years is an acceptable return (a few picks later went for straight cash so I doubt there were better offers).
I never thought I'd vote "F" in something like this, and I'm obviously viewing things through analytics-heavy lenses (so maybe I'm missing a lot), but I can't see any positives here. This was a weak draft, and the Celtics were in a rough spot, but it seems like they really made the least of it.
The trade with the Clippers sucked. 2 seconds for a future first is fine, but if Clips melt down it becomes a 2022 second. Ugh.
What's the alternative though? Draft two guys then have to cut them and get nothing out of it? Couldn't even sell them for cash because of limits.
^^Co-signed^^
Seems like Danny really misplayed his hand this year on a few fronts: first, in thinking that leverage (for the 3rd pick) would go up as we got closer to the draft. Seems like there were two teams that wanted Dunn, but neither was desperate. And second, getting stuck in this position (going into draft night with 8 picks), when he could have made other moves to consolidate (or move picks back a year) earlier in the week.
If Jaylen Brown turns into an all star, then that saves the entire draft, but just based on the value he got out of the picks...I'd give it a D- at best.
How did Ainge misplay this? The market was for Dunn. When that market evaporated he got the guy he wanted in Brown. You may not like Brown which is fine but that doesn't play into the "Ainge misplayed his hand" narrative.
I give this draft a solid B. I had Brown 4th on my board but with Dunn not being a fit with Isaiah here then I'm thrilled with Brown. There isn't another player I'd be happy with at 3. I don't know enough about Yabusele aside from the French League having a good track record of guys entering this league. I had Zizic in my low lottery so I'm loving this pick. Holding me back from giving this draft an A would be one of my binkies at 16 and taking my other big Croatian 5 Zubac at 31.
Disappointed we couldn't pull trigger on a trade but it doesn't appear there was one that benefitted us so overall I'm pretty pleased with the night.
I don't like Brown, so that means it can't be a good grade. There's not a lot else to love.
It sure seems like all the trade rumours were being leaked by Boston to make someone pay what they wanted for the 3rd pick. It didn't work, and clearly trading down wasn't going to net much. I'm surprised it didn't net anything, or so little it wasn't worth it.
Brown could work out, but it's likely not immediately and I wouldn't count on it. I voted C, as Brown isn't chopped liver, but it's more likely to end as a D than a B looking back.
It sure seems like all the trade rumours were being leaked by Boston to make someone pay what they wanted for the 3rd pick. It didn't work, and clearly trading down wasn't going to net much. I'm surprised it didn't net anything, or so little it wasn't worth it.
Brown could work out, but it's likely not immediately and I wouldn't count on it. I voted C, as Brown isn't chopped liver, but it's more likely to end as a D than a B looking back.
I think the Cs needed a shooter, and that Murray or Hield would fit nicely. I also liked Dunn, even though I knew that with Thomas, the fit would not be perfect.
Brown does not fill the shooter role, and he seems like a bit of a project.
I gave Danny a C, and that's probably being charitable.
Brown does not fill the shooter role, and he seems like a bit of a project.
I gave Danny a C, and that's probably being charitable.
Danny potentially traded two good seconds in a deep draft for one second 6 years from now. If the Clips fall apart (possible), these picks were given away free. I'd rather have grabbed a pair of draft and stash Euros.
C
I am ambivalent about the draft picks but I really wanted Danny to trade for established players. I would have liked any of the rumored deals to go down which were being discussed last night and am disappointed none of them happened.
I am ambivalent about the draft picks but I really wanted Danny to trade for established players. I would have liked any of the rumored deals to go down which were being discussed last night and am disappointed none of them happened.
Are you sure that the market evaporated, or was it that Ainge was trying to get too much for his picks and all the potential suitors told him to go screw after being sufficiently frustrated? My feeling at the time of the #3 draft was the latter.
Ainge accumulated assets for a couple years. He has the BKLN picks still left, but basically he likely did not get one impact player yet. Yet. Can they still trade? sure, but it seems clear there isn't a lot of interest in the current C's roster nor was this draft particularly talent-laden. Part of that can't be blamed on ainge, but having 8 picks in this draft was not ideal. the C's are hurt badly by the expanding cap as teams can spend cash on players rather than having to free up space or trade talent now for picks, etc.
It's too bad, 2016-17 will be another fun team to watch with zero hope of postseason success. Unles, somehow, Wyc's two max player FA actually happen
It's too bad, 2016-17 will be another fun team to watch with zero hope of postseason success. Unles, somehow, Wyc's two max player FA actually happen
What difference does it make though when he got his guy? Chicago was never trading Butler to us if the reports of their demands are to be believed, Phoenix was out of play once they couldn't complete a Bledsoe deal, New Orleans was the other team who loved Dunn but had little to offer. In the end the market was Philly with two big swinging dicks trying to get the best of the other with Colangelo looking to swindle Ainge with the Noel offer.
The market for Dunn is the market for Dunn regardless of how Ainge judged it. In the end he got his guy.
I Voted D. I don't deduct for not being able to find a trade. I assume the market just wasn't there.
3) Brown - F - I don't think will be more than a bench player. I would have preferred Bender or Dunn. At least they didn't take Hield.
16) Yabusele - C - Not a great pick, but if they wanted to save money and he was the best option willing to stay in Europe I understand it.
23) Zizic - B - Wouldn't have been my first choice given who was available (Deyonte Davis), but a reasonable selection.
31 + 35) Future Clippers 1st round - C - A bit of an overpay, but they couldn't keep everyone and they got a minor future asset out of it.
45) Jackson - B - Reasonable pick, but probably just camp fodder.
51 + 58) Bentil and Nader - C - Passing grade for Red Claws players. Not much available this late anyways.
3) Brown - F - I don't think will be more than a bench player. I would have preferred Bender or Dunn. At least they didn't take Hield.
16) Yabusele - C - Not a great pick, but if they wanted to save money and he was the best option willing to stay in Europe I understand it.
23) Zizic - B - Wouldn't have been my first choice given who was available (Deyonte Davis), but a reasonable selection.
31 + 35) Future Clippers 1st round - C - A bit of an overpay, but they couldn't keep everyone and they got a minor future asset out of it.
45) Jackson - B - Reasonable pick, but probably just camp fodder.
51 + 58) Bentil and Nader - C - Passing grade for Red Claws players. Not much available this late anyways.
I get why people think this, but how do we know that he would have been there at 23? Yes, all the mocks had him much lower, but did the guys writing the mocks all scout him the way NBA teams did? Or did they just look at Chad Ford's list and put him in the same spot, plus or minus 5 spaces just to look original? The mocks are not the gold standard, and once we get past the high lottery, whatever value they do have diminishes even more. I'm not saying he was the right pick. I am saying that if he's definitely the guy you want and you don't want to lose him, you pick him, no matter what Jay Bilas says. If the C's thought highly enough of him to pick him at 16, why can't the team at 17 (or a team that trades into that spot) think the same thing?
D
As in disappointed. Just like I was at the trade deadline. I hope I'm wrong, but I think this team is on the road to NBA purgatory for the foreseeable future.
As in disappointed. Just like I was at the trade deadline. I hope I'm wrong, but I think this team is on the road to NBA purgatory for the foreseeable future.
B-. I think a lot of people here will be pleasantly surprised with Brown. The Celtics scouted him extensively, worked him out twice, and he shot the lights out here. Seeing his jump shot up close (he hit 76/100 3s in the same workout Murray hit 79) must have convinced them he has or will develop a good shooting stroke. If he does, this is a no brainier pick. He has the upside to be the best player in the draft, and I trust Danny when he's put in the work he has on them.
I will take a wait and see approach on Yusebele, as that was a surprise, but I liked the Zizic pick and the value they got in the second round. I do like the idea of the Yusebele as a French Draymond, as that would be fun. He seems to have a high motor and a good stroke from three.
I also really do not get the handwringing over Davis. He's not good, and I think the folks here that are including this in their analysis as a disaster are vastly overrating him.
As for the trades, there is no universe where I trade Crowder, Bradley the 3 and next year's nets pick for Butler. That doesn't improve them much, if at all, this year, and really hurts them long term. I think they made the right decision on that. As for the Noel deal, I am not as sure.
I will take a wait and see approach on Yusebele, as that was a surprise, but I liked the Zizic pick and the value they got in the second round. I do like the idea of the Yusebele as a French Draymond, as that would be fun. He seems to have a high motor and a good stroke from three.
I also really do not get the handwringing over Davis. He's not good, and I think the folks here that are including this in their analysis as a disaster are vastly overrating him.
As for the trades, there is no universe where I trade Crowder, Bradley the 3 and next year's nets pick for Butler. That doesn't improve them much, if at all, this year, and really hurts them long term. I think they made the right decision on that. As for the Noel deal, I am not as sure.
One thing I said coming into the draft was that if the right trade didn't materialize, then Danny should stay the course, take the BPA, and keep churning the roster and hoping the Nets 17 and 18 picks turn into something better. So from that perspective, I can't complain. Overall we are disappointed by the results of the 14 and 16 drafts but in the long run I think we are still on the path to contender status.
Edit: I think Chad Ford summed it up pretty well:
Edit: I think Chad Ford summed it up pretty well:
Boston Celtics
Cal's Jaylen Brown is an elite athlete who could be one of the best players in the draft -- if he develops a jump shot. I'm also a fan of the two international players the Celtics selected, Guerschon Yabusele and Ante Zizic.
So, based on talent alone, it was a solid night for the Celtics. The disappointing part comes in what didn't happen.
After a 48-win season, the plan was for the Celtics to take some of these picks, package them with players and future picks and bring back an All-Star to push the team into contention for an NBA championship. But despite lots of trade talks, nothing came together for the C's.
Boston got talent, but talent that might not be able to help the team any time soon.
I'll give it a C+/B-. Seems like it all hinges on Ainge's bet that Brown is actually a good (or at least decent) shooter, because the body, motor, and IQ are all there. I was disappointed by the lack of a big trade, but the season doesn't start tomorrow. Philly doesn't want to come into the season with all those bigs any more today than they did yesterday.
The French dude was just the best draft and stash they could get. Zizic is just Zeller's replacement. Makes sense.
The Clips pick is four years away and might turn into nothing, but it might not. I'd say the 31/35 picks have a higher likelihood of turning into nothing, so well done there.
The French dude was just the best draft and stash they could get. Zizic is just Zeller's replacement. Makes sense.
The Clips pick is four years away and might turn into nothing, but it might not. I'd say the 31/35 picks have a higher likelihood of turning into nothing, so well done there.
B. With how the NBA is trending you need players that look like they can compete in a series like OKC/GS or the finals and every single player they took potentially fits that mold. Im fine with all the picks.
I went into the draft hoping for 1) Okafor (doesn't seem like he was available) or 2) J. Murray. I'm fine with Brown; he's a neat kid and he's really fun to watch. In all my time watching the Celtics, I can't remember them ever having a player quite like him (assuming he's not Kedrick Brown 2.0). I'm not too concerned about his shooting but I do wonder about his court vision and feel for the game. You kind of either have those or you don't. Reminds me some of Wiggins, so we'll see.
The French Larry Johnson has a really fun highlights package on Draft Express. He was more athletic than I was expecting (explosive first step, dunks in traffic) and he fits the modern game 4. Who knows if he can play or not, but he looks like an intriguing stash player.
Zizic also profiles as a good pick. Big, strong, motor, rebounds and a soft touch. I assume he's another stash but he doesn't look too far away.
Packaging the two 2nd rounders for a future late first is fine. They had too many picks as it is.
Jackson and Bentil were very good value picks. Jackson is pretty redundant to Rozier so I'm not sure if there's a spot for him but he's an NBA player. Bentil is another modern 4 who got SO much better this season. I think he's also an NBA player so we'll see what happens roster/numbers wise. The Iowa St kid seemed like a punt of a pick, but whatever.
Finally, I was super impressed with the Vertical's online draft show. I cut the cable TV chord earlier this month and didn't think I'd be able to "watch" the draft. Yahoo did a great job with it.
The French Larry Johnson has a really fun highlights package on Draft Express. He was more athletic than I was expecting (explosive first step, dunks in traffic) and he fits the modern game 4. Who knows if he can play or not, but he looks like an intriguing stash player.
Zizic also profiles as a good pick. Big, strong, motor, rebounds and a soft touch. I assume he's another stash but he doesn't look too far away.
Packaging the two 2nd rounders for a future late first is fine. They had too many picks as it is.
Jackson and Bentil were very good value picks. Jackson is pretty redundant to Rozier so I'm not sure if there's a spot for him but he's an NBA player. Bentil is another modern 4 who got SO much better this season. I think he's also an NBA player so we'll see what happens roster/numbers wise. The Iowa St kid seemed like a punt of a pick, but whatever.
Finally, I was super impressed with the Vertical's online draft show. I cut the cable TV chord earlier this month and didn't think I'd be able to "watch" the draft. Yahoo did a great job with it.
Okafor was for sure available. Just sounds like Ainge wasn't interested in a swap for 3 and Philly wasn't interested in adding assets. I can see both sides.
I really can't fault Danny for not making a deal. We heard all these teams wanted Dunn and none of them could make a deal and get that done, so maybe there just wasn't a deal to be had.
And it appears that for all the Butler talk, nothing was really ever close there for any of the teams that wanted him. To that makes it seem like the holdup was in Chicago.
And it appears that for all the Butler talk, nothing was really ever close there for any of the teams that wanted him. To that makes it seem like the holdup was in Chicago.
A. I am absolutely enamored with Jaylen Brown, and it looks like the Cs are, too.
I like Zizic, and I think Yabusele was a bit of a reach, but the odds of grabbing stashes was always high, and Yab was probably a guy they didn't want to miss out on. I'm really happy with this draft even if it doesn't help too much for 2016-17.
A nonexistent trade for a star was the only way to help the FA case. It wasn't there, so the Celtics made the most of their picks.
I like Zizic, and I think Yabusele was a bit of a reach, but the odds of grabbing stashes was always high, and Yab was probably a guy they didn't want to miss out on. I'm really happy with this draft even if it doesn't help too much for 2016-17.
A nonexistent trade for a star was the only way to help the FA case. It wasn't there, so the Celtics made the most of their picks.
Thirded. Watched this didnt tune into ESPN once. It was fantastic. Mannix is one of the best. Cant believe the Cs get him for their local studio stuff.
Not a big on grading drafts since I think drafting is mostly luck but I think DA did okay given his constraints.
I thought the Cs would draft Bender but it appears to have turned out that DA was put off by his thinness ("he's just so frail" I believe is what the internet reports). Of the remaining, Hield, Murray, and Dunn obviously could become all-stars but were never going to be one of the two best players on a championship team. That left Chriss and Brown and between the two, even with his warts, Brown is an exponentially better basketball player than Chriss. I mean how many years is it going to take for Chriss to even be allowed on the floor during crunch time?
Brown is going to play next year. Maybe he'll be the 8th guy in the rotation, but he'll definitely get his minutes just to come in and play defense and provide some transition scoring. And maybe hit some threes.
DA said something to the effect of why should give up all these assets for Jimmy Butler when Brown has a good shot of becoming Jimmy Butler (note Butler's 3P%: .182, .381 - on 105 attempts, .283, .378, .312; total = .328)?
As for the rest, people who think they know whether Yabusele is more likely to be a successful NBA player than any of the other draft and stash guys are kidding themselves. I would guess that most of the front offices in the NBA feel that way too.
I thought the Cs would draft Bender but it appears to have turned out that DA was put off by his thinness ("he's just so frail" I believe is what the internet reports). Of the remaining, Hield, Murray, and Dunn obviously could become all-stars but were never going to be one of the two best players on a championship team. That left Chriss and Brown and between the two, even with his warts, Brown is an exponentially better basketball player than Chriss. I mean how many years is it going to take for Chriss to even be allowed on the floor during crunch time?
Brown is going to play next year. Maybe he'll be the 8th guy in the rotation, but he'll definitely get his minutes just to come in and play defense and provide some transition scoring. And maybe hit some threes.
DA said something to the effect of why should give up all these assets for Jimmy Butler when Brown has a good shot of becoming Jimmy Butler (note Butler's 3P%: .182, .381 - on 105 attempts, .283, .378, .312; total = .328)?
As for the rest, people who think they know whether Yabusele is more likely to be a successful NBA player than any of the other draft and stash guys are kidding themselves. I would guess that most of the front offices in the NBA feel that way too.
I voted "C" but feel it might have been a bit harsh. Brown was the guy I wanted at 3, and then if we could have gotten one of Skal/D. Murray/Luwawu at 16 I would have been stoked. So the fact that they probably could have grabbed at least 2 and possibly all 3 at 16/23/31 hurts for me, and I am dinging them for that. SA grabbing Murray makes me believe I was right on him, but it seems no other GM was as high on Skal as I was, and my guess is that they are right and I am an idiot.
Yabusele was totally off my radar, but I have really warmed to him since the pick was announced. Zizic doesn't do anything for me, but I don't know anything about him really. I was still going to go with a "B" but the trade of 2 high seconds for a possible mid-late 1st in 2019 left a bad taste in my mouth, even though there couldn't have been much else on the table for the picks. I really like adding Bentil late.
I do feel better about it now than I did when I went to bed.
Yabusele was totally off my radar, but I have really warmed to him since the pick was announced. Zizic doesn't do anything for me, but I don't know anything about him really. I was still going to go with a "B" but the trade of 2 high seconds for a possible mid-late 1st in 2019 left a bad taste in my mouth, even though there couldn't have been much else on the table for the picks. I really like adding Bentil late.
I do feel better about it now than I did when I went to bed.
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What about Gerald Green? I think he's the most similar past Celtic. Hopefully Brown can tap those talents faster than Green.
I thought about Green, but he while he could jump through the roof, he was a skinny jump shooter here. Brown is stronger and more explosive.
How can you grade any draft in any sport the day after? It did not go as a lot of pundits thought but after getting away from the buzz of last night I have come around on it. Brown can be exactly what the Celtics need if his jump shot comes around. They don't have anyone with his skill set that is as athletic as he is and has the positional versatility on defense. Yabusele's potential is very nice too with his shooting and offensive ability for someone his size. As the NBA game goes smaller and smaller, he might be the future in what we see as a 5 man. Zizic looks to be a nice quality role player down low which is something they lack.
It wasn't the fireworks we all wanted, but we have to be patient and let things play out.
It wasn't the fireworks we all wanted, but we have to be patient and let things play out.
Overall I give the Celtics draft a C. The overall grade has mostly to do with Danny being unable to swing some sort of trade for veteran talent with the number of picks the Celtics had and with the Brown selection. Brown could be very good or he could be a disaster. I don't personally think the #3 pick should be made on someone with such a low floor.
Other than Brown, I though Danny did well in the spots he selected to get value and I actually like the trade he made.
3. Brown - C - High boom or bust potential. I loved Dunn and Murray in this draft and thought either would fit well on the Celtics. Of course, that only works if the Celtics trade Bradley or Smart for big men later this offseason.
16. Yabusele - B- - Euro-stash. Needed at least one with all the picks. I'm fine with it.
23. Zizic - B+ - Good value at the spot. Love that he is physical , which should help his transition to the NBA. Love even more that he can shoot free throws (70%), which is needed for big men in today's NBA. If he comes over he'll get some burn but if he stays another year overseas, even better.
31. + 35. for Future 1st - B- - It seems I like this deal a bit more than the rest of the board. 2nd round picks are going to get PAID this year and Davis is going to be the poster child for this. There's too much depth already on the Celtics and they needed to consolidate some of their picks. I knock the grade down slightly as I would have preferred to take 31 and their later firsts and move up into the lottery again.
45. Jackson - B- - Good value at the spot but I doubt he can make the roster. Maybe he goes overseas for a year.
51. Bentil - B- - High upside as he didn't start playing basketball until late. Will need a ton of coaching but has the athleticism to make something of himself. See you in the D-league
58. Nader - C- - Not overly impressed. He has a shot of becoming a role player.
With the amount of players drafted, this all but assures that James Young has 0 value in a trade. Teams are aware of the roster glut and while Young should be a great trade candidate, Ainge doesn't have much leverage. I would be surprised if he's even a throw-in on a large deal at this point.
Other than Brown, I though Danny did well in the spots he selected to get value and I actually like the trade he made.
3. Brown - C - High boom or bust potential. I loved Dunn and Murray in this draft and thought either would fit well on the Celtics. Of course, that only works if the Celtics trade Bradley or Smart for big men later this offseason.
16. Yabusele - B- - Euro-stash. Needed at least one with all the picks. I'm fine with it.
23. Zizic - B+ - Good value at the spot. Love that he is physical , which should help his transition to the NBA. Love even more that he can shoot free throws (70%), which is needed for big men in today's NBA. If he comes over he'll get some burn but if he stays another year overseas, even better.
31. + 35. for Future 1st - B- - It seems I like this deal a bit more than the rest of the board. 2nd round picks are going to get PAID this year and Davis is going to be the poster child for this. There's too much depth already on the Celtics and they needed to consolidate some of their picks. I knock the grade down slightly as I would have preferred to take 31 and their later firsts and move up into the lottery again.
45. Jackson - B- - Good value at the spot but I doubt he can make the roster. Maybe he goes overseas for a year.
51. Bentil - B- - High upside as he didn't start playing basketball until late. Will need a ton of coaching but has the athleticism to make something of himself. See you in the D-league
58. Nader - C- - Not overly impressed. He has a shot of becoming a role player.
With the amount of players drafted, this all but assures that James Young has 0 value in a trade. Teams are aware of the roster glut and while Young should be a great trade candidate, Ainge doesn't have much leverage. I would be surprised if he's even a throw-in on a large deal at this point.
I think this was a decent draft with the worst part being the 31-35 deal for a lottery protected first that could end up being a second.
I like the Brown pick.
Don't know much about the draft and stash guy they took at 16 but I'm not going to dismiss it just because the Celtics had him higher on their board than anyone else.
Zizic was a reasonable pick.
Jackson could be a real find. Kevin O'Connor had him #14 overall on his big board. Seems like that's a real asset even though the Celtics have a crowded backcourt at the moment.
They didn't add shooting, which is a concern, and obviously they didn't make a big deal, but otherwise this looks pretty good. And I would not rule out a future deal.
I like the Brown pick.
Don't know much about the draft and stash guy they took at 16 but I'm not going to dismiss it just because the Celtics had him higher on their board than anyone else.
Zizic was a reasonable pick.
Jackson could be a real find. Kevin O'Connor had him #14 overall on his big board. Seems like that's a real asset even though the Celtics have a crowded backcourt at the moment.
They didn't add shooting, which is a concern, and obviously they didn't make a big deal, but otherwise this looks pretty good. And I would not rule out a future deal.
Isn't getting a pick that could or could not be a second rounder OK when the cost are picks that 100% are second rounders? In a draft where they already had made three picks in he first round and still had three more second round picks after they made the trade? If they had kept those picks and drafted Bentil and Jackson, nobody would have batted an eyelash. Instead, they got those guys and also maybe a pick in the middle of he first round in a few years. What's the downside? They miss out on drafting a couple of guys who wouldn't have made the team anyway?
I voted B because of the description, "Overall solid but some questionable moves," but it felt like a C last night. I have no problem with the Brown selection. While I would have taken Dunn, due to what I believe to be a higher floor, I don't doubt for a minute that Ainge, with his considerable experience and extensive scouting, thought that Brown was the best player available on the board. However, I don't think he took that approach again until he grabbed Jackson and Bentil late in the second round. Instead, he was focused on the best stashable prospects at 16 and 23 while flipping 31 and 35 into a questionable future asset. I get the roster crunch and the drawbacks of having eight picks, and the degree to which Brown pans out will determine everything, but it was a disappointing night.
Ainge made the best choices available to him, but luck and the trade market both broke against the Celtics. This was a two guy draft and Boston had the third pick. The best bet other than Simmons or Ingram to be a future all-star is Brown, hands down, and he has all the personality traits you want in that kind of a bet. He will also be paired with a PG who went from the last pick of the draft to an all-star so there is a built in role model on the club. Dunn overlaps with Thomas and lacks ceiling. Bender is at least as much of a risk as Brown to translate and grow, but with less upside. If Brown develops shooting range, something many similar talents have done in the past, he is the cornerstone of a highly competitive team.
Yabusele and Zizic are both strong deferral picks with great physicality for euro ballers. The Celtics have a bunch of guys under contract already so they needed best stashable talent in the back of the first.
The game plan from here is likely to see what they can get for the cap money and if that fails to pan out they'll continue to complete and make the playoffs while rolling the dice on the Nets pick. At some point the market or lottery needs to break for them to get out of the mid-tier team quagmire, but they can't just will that to happen.
Yabusele and Zizic are both strong deferral picks with great physicality for euro ballers. The Celtics have a bunch of guys under contract already so they needed best stashable talent in the back of the first.
The game plan from here is likely to see what they can get for the cap money and if that fails to pan out they'll continue to complete and make the playoffs while rolling the dice on the Nets pick. At some point the market or lottery needs to break for them to get out of the mid-tier team quagmire, but they can't just will that to happen.
And between Brown and another year of growth from Rozier we should be well placed to let the Knicks overpay for Evan Turner. Bon Voyage Evan! Thanks for everything! That in my mind makes the draft a success. 
I think it is important to keep in mind that the 1A star of the Next Great Celtics Team could very well be either a freshman in college this fall, or a high school senior. The Nets should be really bad again for the next two years and it seems like if the Celts can land a top 5 pick next year, they should be in position to get a very good pick.
B
Brown has a legitimate chance to be a star based on his physical capabilities. I suspect Dunn will end up being in the class of Teague or George Hill. I saw Winslow comparisons last night. Per the Green note above, imagine if Gerald Green had been smart and hard-working when they drafted him.
Yabusele seems like what they hoped Sullinger could be. Probably not as good on the defensive glass but with a real chance to be good from 3.
Zizic may be the real steal. I'm imagining a more gifted Zeller. Or maybe a positive combo of Zeller and Bogut. I do know they have been looking at him intensely for weeks.
All that said, I would have loved Butler or Middleton. I would have been happy with one of the Philly bigs at the right price. In Danny we trust?!?
Brown has a legitimate chance to be a star based on his physical capabilities. I suspect Dunn will end up being in the class of Teague or George Hill. I saw Winslow comparisons last night. Per the Green note above, imagine if Gerald Green had been smart and hard-working when they drafted him.
Yabusele seems like what they hoped Sullinger could be. Probably not as good on the defensive glass but with a real chance to be good from 3.
Zizic may be the real steal. I'm imagining a more gifted Zeller. Or maybe a positive combo of Zeller and Bogut. I do know they have been looking at him intensely for weeks.
All that said, I would have loved Butler or Middleton. I would have been happy with one of the Philly bigs at the right price. In Danny we trust?!?
Keep all of this in perspective when evaluating the future for the Celtics. The Nets have stripped down to just Brook Lopez and look to be the worst roster in the NBA. Next year's draft is absolutely loaded with prospects such as Harry Giles, Josh Jackson, Jonathan Issac, De'Aaron Fox, Ivan Rabb and Markelle Fultz. Therefore, the Celtics have a good shot at the #1 pick next year in a deep draft.
Aaron Torres, a writer for Fox Sports, give Danny an A+, saying:
My goodness did Boston have a great night.
The Celtics used the third pick on arguably the third-best player in this draft (Brown), who also happens to fill an immediate need for them (wing scoring). Yabusele should be able to develop into a physical presence down low, and Zizic might be the second-best "true" international prospect in this draft behind only Dragan Bender. He'll need time, but could develop into a big-time rotation player.
What put Boston over the top, however, was adding two first-round-caliber talents (Jackson and Bentil) in the second round. Jackson specifically might be the steal of the draft, as an ultra-quick guard who averaged 18 points at Notre Dame and tested off the charts at the Combine.
I'm not sure how Danny Ainge did it, but he got five guys who could one day be rotation players in Boston.
The Celtics used the third pick on arguably the third-best player in this draft (Brown), who also happens to fill an immediate need for them (wing scoring). Yabusele should be able to develop into a physical presence down low, and Zizic might be the second-best "true" international prospect in this draft behind only Dragan Bender. He'll need time, but could develop into a big-time rotation player.
What put Boston over the top, however, was adding two first-round-caliber talents (Jackson and Bentil) in the second round. Jackson specifically might be the steal of the draft, as an ultra-quick guard who averaged 18 points at Notre Dame and tested off the charts at the Combine.
I'm not sure how Danny Ainge did it, but he got five guys who could one day be rotation players in Boston.
I'm not that high on it as that, but I know some places (Upside Motor is one) has Jackson in the top 10 of their big boards.
And, on the other end of the spectrum ... Michael Lee of The Vertical
LOSER
Boston Celtics
The best draft night of Danny Ainge's tenure running the Celtics came nine years ago, when he was able to select Jeff Green and ship him to Seattle in exchange for Ray Allen. That move set the table for Boston to acquire Kevin Garnett later that summer to form a Hall of Fame trio that produced two Finals trips and an NBA championship in 2008. Ever since Allen, Garnett and Paul Pierce moved on, Ainge has been stacking assets with the hope – or expectation – that he could pull off another franchise-altering deal.
Celtics fans are still waiting. Armed with three first-round picks, Ainge was unable to make a deal, either because he wanted too much or was unwilling to surrender enough. Instead of getting Jimmy Butler or any other All-Star talent, the Celtics selected California swingman Jaylen Brown third overall, French power forward Guerschon Yabusele and Croatian center Ante Zizic – fine selections, but not the type of players who will have the kind of immediate impact Boston needs to move up in the Eastern Conference.
Coach Brad Stevens has proven that he can put a highly competitive team on the court, regardless of the names on the back of those storied uniforms, but the Celtics need stars to be anything more than a first-round flirtation.
That's such garbage from Lee.
I'm fine if someone doesn't like the picks, but the copout of "well they didn't trade for a star" is such bullshit. It's not like going to the store and buying milk, the other team has to want to move the guy and there has to be a good price otherwise you end up like Chicago with a star and not enough around him to matter.
I'm fine if someone doesn't like the picks, but the copout of "well they didn't trade for a star" is such bullshit. It's not like going to the store and buying milk, the other team has to want to move the guy and there has to be a good price otherwise you end up like Chicago with a star and not enough around him to matter.
I agree there. I voted "F", since I think almost every pick except Jackson was extremely weak, but grading someone poorly because they failed to get a non-existent trade is inane.
That was a complete disaster until maybe pick 45-Jackson, and I even really like Brown (as a player/person, not an asset).
31+35 for 2019 Clippers via Memphis pick is an absolute loss of value.
If I'm wrong on Brown, this draft will be a disaster. Will have nightmares of the 16 pick for a while.
31+35 for 2019 Clippers via Memphis pick is an absolute loss of value.
If I'm wrong on Brown, this draft will be a disaster. Will have nightmares of the 16 pick for a while.