Who would you add?

[chilidawg]

The Athletic has an interesting hypothetical up, running an expansion draft for playoff teams from those eliminated. Injured players (Hayward, Williamson etc.) not eligible.

Their list:
Wiz - Towns
C's - Lavine
GSW/Grizz - Ingram
Heat - Fox
Hawks - Lamelo
Knicks -Lowry
Lakers - Siakam
Portland -Grant
Mavs - Vucevic
Bucks - FVV
Clips - Derozan
Nuggets - Rozier
Nets -Barnes
Sixers - Russell
Suns - Wood
Jazz - Sexton

Another ball dominant scorer is not what I'd think the C's need. A 4 who can defend and shoot would be top of my list, Wood, Grant, Siakam I think in that order. What would you do?

https://theathletic.com/2603161/2021/05/21/nba-mock-expansion-draft-adding-one-player-from-non-playoff-team-to-playoff-team/

 

[Cesar Crespo]

LaMelo, Towns, De'Aaron Fox.

That's really quick. I'm sure if I spent more time my answer might change.

 

[chilidawg]

Towns would be my first pick, although his D worries me, but he's off the board. Lamelo I'd take long term but I don't think he'd be the answer for this years playoffs. Fox seems redundant to Kemba, although probably better.

 

[jon abbey]

LaMelo, Towns, De'Aaron Fox.

That's really quick. I'm sure if I spent more time my answer might change.

It's a draft, so you can choose anyone but Towns.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

LaMelo, Fox, LaVine.

I agree the C's need a big wing but I wouldn't take Grant or Wood over those 3.

Sabonis might be interesting too. As would Anthony Edwards.

 

[Sam Ray Not]

Depending what happens to tonight, you might be able to grab Steph. Or Ja.

Where is Sabonis, btw? He might be my #1, for either the Ws or Cs.

 

[chilidawg]

Depending what happens to tonight, you might be able to grab Steph. Or Ja.

Where is Sabonis, btw? He might be my #1, for either the Ws or Cs.

Only teams outside the play in were part of the draft pool.

Steph would be awesome.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I'd honestly take LaVine just like they did. He's a terrific player. People trying to fit a role are trying too hard here. Outside a dominant center, the Celtics don't need a role filled, they just need more talent depth, the right call is the best player. LaVine is a replacement for Brown who is a better scorer and passer.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Only teams outside the play in were part of the draft pool.

Then why is LaMelo there?

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

DA might pick Kevin Love.

I think the Cs need a replacement for TL, particularly on defense, so I think I'd picked Jarrett Allen. However, someone who could guard bigger wings would work too - like maybe PJ Washington or Bridges (I've not watched enough of them to know.)

Drafting LaVine and hoping to outscore people would work in theory but I can only imagine what would happen to the Cs with another player who needs the ball in his hands.

Where is Sabonis, btw? He might be my #1, for either the Ws or Cs.

From the article: "The loser of the Wizards/Pacers game was also ineligible to have its players selected. "

 

[Ale Xander]

This depends if we have good Kemba or bad Kemba.

Bad Kemba, give me a Ball, any Ball, Fox, or Rozier. Lowry if I didn't hate him.

Good Kemba, Lavine's probably the pick. (If Towns is gone). Although I'm sort of partial to Steven Adams too, to replace TL.

This is much tougher if you can pick injured guys (Williamson/Wall etc)

 

[Kliq]

If Sabonis was there I would take Sabonis. He might not be a great defender but at least he is a great rebounder, plus he can score and is an excellent passer and would be great in a two-man game with Kemba or Tatum. LaVine is a smart choice because the team needs scoring and LaVine is close to a top-tier scorer in the league. He isn't a good defender, but I think with Brad's system and higher-intensity games he would be much better--it isn't like he doesn't have the athleticism to hang on defense. Siakam has kind of a bad rap around here for being perhaps overrated last year, but he is big, plays really hard on both ends, and would work well in an offense being carried by Tatum/Kemba.

 

[reggiecleveland]

Full disclosure I watch the Raps lots due to my cable deal. I have remarked they have played harder, while tanking than the Cs hav while fighting (for most of the season ) for a top 4 spot. Maybe import some attitude as well as talent. Though he as rival coach some of this is on Nurse.

I would think about Siakam since, watching him develop he is a team guy. He would need to shoot a lot less with Boston, but he can defend and plays really hard. He could fill Brown's role slashing, scoring in transition.
Same for FVV, he is the top shelf hopes for Pritchard. Another guy who plays his ass off. He can go off and win two game in a series almost by himself.
But I probably take Lowry, though I dislike his antics (palms up who me?) he is much better player than Kemba. He was very good at getting the bal the KL, and wants to win. Kemba become second team offence guy.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I'd honestly take LaVine just like they did. He's a terrific player. People trying to fit a role are trying too hard here. Outside a dominant center, the Celtics don't need a role filled, they just need more talent depth, the right call is the best player. LaVine is a replacement for Brown who is a better scorer and passer.

I wasn't going by fit. I just think very highly of LaMelo. I'd take him or Zion if Zion weren't excluded. As far as Fox vs LaVine, heh. I'd love either one. LaVine is a great offensive player and extremely efficient. He can also pass some. Fox would replace Kemba and while he isn't the perfect fit, I'd go BPA.

Now that I think about it, I'd prefer LaVine over Fox. He's a better fit and I think they are similar value wise. So go with fit.


Other players I'd consider (but wouldn't actually pick) that weren't mentioned above: OG Anunoby, SGA*, Haliburton, Lonzo, Coby White, Garland, Jonathan Isaac, Dejounte Murray

Strike-through means they are injured. Anthony Edwards I mentioned earlier. Honestly, if Jonathan Isaac were guaranteed to be 100% and was available to pick... I'd be very tempted. Imagine a lineup of TL/Isaac/Tatum/Brown/Smart. If Langford becomes a passable PG, put him in that lineup for Smart and other teams are having problems matching us in length and athleticism.

Yeah. I'd take Jonathan Isaac just to see him play next to TL and to see how other teams adjust to the height and length of the C's rather than the other way around.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I wasn't going by fit. I just think very highly of LaMelo. I'd take him or Zion if Zion weren't excluded. As far as Fox vs LaVine, heh. I'd love either one. LaVine is a great offensive player and extremely efficient. He can also pass some. Fox would replace Kemba and while he isn't the perfect fit, I'd go BPA.

Now that I think about it, I'd prefer LaVine over Fox. He's a better fit and I think they are similar value wise. So go with fit.


Other players I'd consider (but wouldn't actually pick) that weren't mentioned above: OG Anunoby, SGA*, Haliburton, Lonzo, Coby White, Garland, Jonathan Isaac, Dejounte Murray

Strike-through means they are injured. Anthony Edwards I mentioned earlier. Honestly, if Jonathan Isaac were guaranteed to be 100% and was available to pick... I'd be very tempted. Imagine a lineup of TL/Isaac/Tatum/Brown/Smart. If Langford becomes a passable PG, put him in that lineup for Smart and other teams are having problems matching us in length and athleticism.

Yeah. I'd take Jonathan Isaac just to see him play next to TL and to see how other teams adjust to the height and length of the C's rather than the other way around.

I think the answers would be different if we were talking long term, the proposition in the article is that it's just for the playoff run. If it's long-term I'm more likely to consider LaMelo.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I think the answers would be different if we were talking long term, the proposition in the article is that it's just for the playoff run. If it's long-term I'm more likely to consider LaMelo.

Ahh, I didn't see that. Yeah, that changes things a lot. I'd definitely take LaVine.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I'd honestly take LaVine just like they did. He's a terrific player. People trying to fit a role are trying too hard here. Outside a dominant center, the Celtics don't need a role filled, they just need more talent depth, the right call is the best player. LaVine is a replacement for Brown who is a better scorer and passer.

Totally agree. Once Towns is gone as the obv #1 pick it’s LaVine then a gap to I have no idea who.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

With the Pacers having been eliminated, the obvious answer is Myles Turner.

 

[chilidawg]

With the Pacers having been eliminated, the obvious answer is Myles Turner.

Wouldn't that be the ultimate test of SOSH predictive abilities?

 

[the moops]

Injured players not available. And it is only for this year's playoff run.

Just felt the need to reiterate that before we keep getting Anthony Edwards and Myles Turner type picks.

I would go LaVine or Siakam

 

[chilidawg]

Injured players not available. And it is only for this year's playoff run.

Just felt the need to reiterate that before we keep getting Anthony Edwards and Myles Turner type picks.

I would go LaVine or Siakam

Might have to re-calibrate your tongue-in-cheek meter.

 

[bsj]

Towns. Elite big man would be huge

 

[TripleOT]

Jeremi Grant

 

[sezwho]

Anyone want to revisit based on early playoff returns ? I continue to want a PG like Lowry or a Ball... but TL looked so good that maybe another big would help more than I anticipate.