The NBA Draft is being held tonight at 8 PM. The Boston Celtics don't have a first round pick, entering the night with only a second-rounder (53rd overall), but perhaps some plans to move back into the first round.
Here’s what you need to know.
THE TOP PICKS
This is seen as a three-player draft, with Auburn forward Jabari Smith, Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren, and Duke big man Paolo Banchero standing out as the top guys.
An odd thing is happening right now, though. All of the plugged-in reporters are reporting Smith, Holmgren, and Banchero are going 1-2-3 to the Magic, Thunder, and Rockets. However, the Vegas odds shifted heavily in favor of Banchero over the course of a couple of days.
Those odds have either recalibrated some, or come off the board completely on some books.
Banchero is one of those 6’10” players who started out as a guard and had a late growth spurt, so he has versatile skills that could make him unique. Questions about his defense and jumper temper some of the enthusiasm, but it’s no wonder why people want to push him to the top.
Smith is a two-way package at the same size and killer jumper. He shot nearly 44% from deep at Auburn, and his shot is almost impossible to block. If he develops a killer handle, then his team can start harboring dreams of another 6’10” deadeye shooter who can get to any spot he wants.
Holmgren is built like a sheet of paper, but he’s 7 feet tall and an elite shot blocker who hit 41% from deep on the other end. He can handle the ball and pass as well, and if he can ever add to his frame to hold his ground in the NBA, he has the potential to be a force.
TEAMS TO WATCH
Sacramento Kings (4th overall pick): This is where the draft really starts. Jaden Ivey is viewed very highly by some, but the Kings may not be looking to add another guard to their mix considering they already traded away Tyrese Haliburton to make the fit better for De’Aaron Fox. There's very high trade potential here.
Indiana Pacers (6th overall pick): This could be Sacramento’s trade partner. The Pacers are expected to move on from Malcolm Brogdon, so an Ivey/Haliburton pairing could give them their backcourt of the future.
Portland Trailblazers (7th overall pick): They’ve already traded for Jerami Grant, so don’t be shocked if they dangle 7 in an attempt to make one last slapdash playoff run to keep Damian Lillard happy.
New York Knicks (11th overall pick): They need immediate upgrades, so nothing is off the table to pull that off.
Charlotte Hornets (13th and 15th overall picks): They are reportedly shopping Gordon Hayward while gauging interest in others, like Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre. One of those picks could go out with one of these players in either an attempt to clear cap space to pay Miles Bridges, or to bring back better help.
THE CELTICS STRATEGY
While I personally don’t think this team is going to get major help in the draft, there are rumors starting to circulate about their interest in LSU sophomore forward Tari Eason. I can see why.
Eason is 6’7” and a good, versatile defender who shot a respectable 37% on 3-pointers last season. He’s seen as a “do all the little things” kind of guy that Ime Udoka and Brad Stevens would covet. He’s 21 years old, so he comes with a little more maturity than a one-and-done player.
If this interest is legitimate, and they can move into the middle of the draft to get him, then we might see Stevens get ambitious. Most mock drafts have Eason going in that middle area, somewhere between 15 and 17, so Charlotte would be the obvious trade partner.
Would a Kelly Oubre, Jr. and 15th overall pick for a future first and/or expendable role player (Aaron Nesmith? Payton Pritchard?) get it done?
I’m not exactly sold on that, but Eason is just intriguing enough that I’m not ruling it out. I still think the much more likely scenario is that Boston stands pat and heads into the second round either filling a two-way slot or going with a draft-and-stash guy.
I’d put my money on the latter. If they can find a guy with skills that project out to be ready in a year or two, then they can draft him now, let him work on those wherever else in the world he wants to play, and then try bringing him in later to help with the mid-to-back portion of the championship window. At the very least, they’ll have someone whose rights they can trade to fill a TPE at the deadline.
So I expect a pretty active draft as far as trades and rumors, and some of them might involve the Celtics, but I’m leaning against the Celtics being active participants. That probably means I should prepare for a long night and a two-hour long podcast.
Speaking of which, I addressed the draft rumors (and other rumors) in the latest Locked On Celtics: