Cole Anthony would be my pick

[CFAN38]

My hope is the trade up scenario. Something like 7 for 14, 26, 30, and I think that no other player in this draft would fill a bigger hole for us than Onyeka Okongwu.

Couldn't be more happy with our roster construction but my main question with this team is are just going to continue to play Center by committee or could we lock in a true undisputed starter at the 5 to grow with Tatum and Brown. Theis is not a true starter, Kanter is a specialist, and personally I don't view Robert Williams as our future starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6H0f___-bc

Here we have a kid who when asked about his role on his high school team he claims "veteran scorer". He seems to have a good read on himself and his abilities. I see a physically gifted prospect with a mature feel for the game and that is rare as a big man prospect toward the top of the draft.

Haven't seen him discussed here much. What do you all think of Okongwu?

The mock drafts I'm reading have Okongwu going top 5.

Just curious, because I don't know the answer to this. Why is Okongwu considered such a better big prospect than Precious?  They have similar size, length, and motor. Neither is particularly adept outside shooter.  Yet every mock draft has Okongwu going 5-10 spots higher than Precious.  Why is that?

General consensus seems to be that Okongwu is a much more polished post prospect both defensively and offensively then Achiuwa or Wiseman. While not the freak athlete Achiuwa is Okongwu is still very mobile and athletic for a big thought like Achiuwa he is slightly undersized.

Where Okongwu was been developed as a pure big man ( was the big in the Ball circus at Chino Hill) Achiuwa was projected as a big wing coming out of high school. At Memphis he was forced and ended up thriving as a slightly undersized 5 after Wiseman was banned by NCAA.

I look at them as kind of a more modern NBA Taj Gibson compared to a  more Modern Kenneth Faired.

[Androslav]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

[mrceltics2013]

My hope is the trade up scenario. Something like 7 for 14, 26, 30, and I think that no other player in this draft would fill a bigger hole for us than Onyeka Okongwu.

Couldn't be more happy with our roster construction but my main question with this team is are just going to continue to play Center by committee or could we lock in a true undisputed starter at the 5 to grow with Tatum and Brown. Theis is not a true starter, Kanter is a specialist, and personally I don't view Robert Williams as our future starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6H0f___-bc

Here we have a kid who when asked about his role on his high school team he claims "veteran scorer". He seems to have a good read on himself and his abilities. I see a physically gifted prospect with a mature feel for the game and that is rare as a big man prospect toward the top of the draft.

Haven't seen him discussed here much. What do you all think of Okongwu?

If we trade up, my bid is for Dani Avdija. He is an all around talent that I can see enhancing our team with no drawbacks.  I feel he will completely flourish around a talented roster like the C’s and will be the best player in this draft. He is like a younger Gordon to me when watching him play. I honestly wouldn’t at al be surprised if he went #1 because he fits a need for the TWolves well to.

I also was watching Wisemen and I just don’t see the appeal yet. I personally can see him drop out of top 3 and if that’s the case I’d keep an eye out on him only because we could use a Center but I’m definitely not high on him at all.

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

From what I’m seeing from this team I’m leaning closer to just having 1 solid payer instead of 3 that won’t even get the burn to develop. The 14 and late picks will have to go against Langford, Wanamaker, Rob 3, And Grant Will. Those are all young players with room to develop that hardly get enough burn themselves so 3 more rookies won’t stand a chance.

[CFAN38]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

General consensus seems to be (and I agree) in terms of BPA over all talent this is not a draft to trade up in. This is also the reason why reputable members of NBA media (John Hollinger) are speculating that the #7 pick is attainable for the Celtics. The flat but deep talent curve lessons the value of #7 and raises the value of 14/26/30.

Not to be dramatic but this is really DA's chance to lay the last piece of a potential dynasty. If he can pin point the All-Star from this class and land trade up for him to add to the foundation of Tatum/Brown/Smart then the Cs are locked into an elite roster for a long time. Hayes is the player who most jumps out to be as that potential guy. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

My hope is the trade up scenario. Something like 7 for 14, 26, 30, and I think that no other player in this draft would fill a bigger hole for us than Onyeka Okongwu.

Couldn't be more happy with our roster construction but my main question with this team is are just going to continue to play Center by committee or could we lock in a true undisputed starter at the 5 to grow with Tatum and Brown. Theis is not a true starter, Kanter is a specialist, and personally I don't view Robert Williams as our future starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6H0f___-bc

Here we have a kid who when asked about his role on his high school team he claims "veteran scorer". He seems to have a good read on himself and his abilities. I see a physically gifted prospect with a mature feel for the game and that is rare as a big man prospect toward the top of the draft.

Haven't seen him discussed here much. What do you all think of Okongwu?

The mock drafts I'm reading have Okongwu going top 5.

Just curious, because I don't know the answer to this. Why is Okongwu considered such a better big prospect than Precious?  They have similar size, length, and motor. Neither is particularly adept outside shooter.  Yet every mock draft has Okongwu going 5-10 spots higher than Precious.  Why is that?

General consensus seems to be that Okongwu is a much more polished post prospect both defensively and offensively then Achiuwa or Wiseman. While not the freak athlete Achiuwa is Okongwu is still very mobile and athletic for a big thought like Achiuwa he is slightly undersized.

Where Okongwu was been developed as a pure big man ( was the big in the Ball circus at Chino Hill) Achiuwa was projected as a big wing coming out of high school. At Memphis he was forced and ended up thriving as a slightly undersized 5 after Wiseman was banned by NCAA.

I look at them as kind of a more modern NBA Taj Gibson compared to a  more Modern Kenneth Faired.

This is an apt explanation of their differences. From what I've seen, Okongwu has a little bit more handle and little bit more shake. Both have good measurements, athleticism, finishing, and shooting. Both project as solid defenders, but I'm not sure either will be able to anchor a defense.

I like the Kenneth Faried/Taj Gibson idea.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

General consensus seems to be (and I agree) in terms of BPA over all talent this is not a draft to trade up in. This is also the reason why reputable members of NBA media (John Hollinger) are speculating that the #7 pick is attainable for the Celtics. The flat but deep talent curve lessons the value of #7 and raises the value of 14/26/30.

Not to be dramatic but this is really DA's chance to lay the last piece of a potential dynasty. If he can pin point the All-Star from this class and land trade up for him to add to the foundation of Tatum/Brown/Smart then the Cs are locked into an elite roster for a long time. Hayes is the player who most jumps out to be as that potential guy.

There's definitely two ways to look at it and it all depends on how Ainge views this draft. The first way is to trade up to try to get that last high level piece. The second way is to assume that, because of the upheaval of the season, elite talent will drop in the draft and be available, which is why the other poster said "take 3 swings".

I love the NBA draft.

[gouki88]

My hope is the trade up scenario. Something like 7 for 14, 26, 30, and I think that no other player in this draft would fill a bigger hole for us than Onyeka Okongwu.

Couldn't be more happy with our roster construction but my main question with this team is are just going to continue to play Center by committee or could we lock in a true undisputed starter at the 5 to grow with Tatum and Brown. Theis is not a true starter, Kanter is a specialist, and personally I don't view Robert Williams as our future starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6H0f___-bc

Here we have a kid who when asked about his role on his high school team he claims "veteran scorer". He seems to have a good read on himself and his abilities. I see a physically gifted prospect with a mature feel for the game and that is rare as a big man prospect toward the top of the draft.

Haven't seen him discussed here much. What do you all think of Okongwu?

If we trade up, my bid is for Dani Avdija. He is an all around talent that I can see enhancing our team with no drawbacks.  I feel he will completely flourish around a talented roster like the C’s and will be the best player in this draft. He is like a younger Gordon to me when watching him play. I honestly wouldn’t at al be surprised if he went #1 because he fits a need for the TWolves well to.

I also was watching Wisemen and I just don’t see the appeal yet. I personally can see him drop out of top 3 and if that’s the case I’d keep an eye out on him only because we could use a Center but I’m definitely not high on him at all.

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

From what I’m seeing from this team I’m leaning closer to just having 1 solid payer instead of 3 that won’t even get the burn to develop. The 14 and late picks will have to go against Langford, Wanamaker, Rob 3, And Grant Will. Those are all young players with room to develop that hardly get enough burn themselves so 3 more rookies won’t stand a chance.

Avdija reminds me a lot of Hayward in terms of his ceiling. If he could develop into a player in the Hayward/Hedo/Kukoc/Batum mould I’d be thrilled to have him. I think he could be a top 5 pick though, so might be very tricky

[Smartacus]

My hope is the trade up scenario. Something like 7 for 14, 26, 30, and I think that no other player in this draft would fill a bigger hole for us than Onyeka Okongwu.

Couldn't be more happy with our roster construction but my main question with this team is are just going to continue to play Center by committee or could we lock in a true undisputed starter at the 5 to grow with Tatum and Brown. Theis is not a true starter, Kanter is a specialist, and personally I don't view Robert Williams as our future starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6H0f___-bc

Here we have a kid who when asked about his role on his high school team he claims "veteran scorer". He seems to have a good read on himself and his abilities. I see a physically gifted prospect with a mature feel for the game and that is rare as a big man prospect toward the top of the draft.

Haven't seen him discussed here much. What do you all think of Okongwu?

The mock drafts I'm reading have Okongwu going top 5.

Just curious, because I don't know the answer to this. Why is Okongwu considered such a better big prospect than Precious?  They have similar size, length, and motor. Neither is particularly adept outside shooter.  Yet every mock draft has Okongwu going 5-10 spots higher than Precious.  Why is that?

General consensus seems to be that Okongwu is a much more polished post prospect both defensively and offensively then Achiuwa or Wiseman. While not the freak athlete Achiuwa is Okongwu is still very mobile and athletic for a big thought like Achiuwa he is slightly undersized.

Where Okongwu was been developed as a pure big man ( was the big in the Ball circus at Chino Hill) Achiuwa was projected as a big wing coming out of high school. At Memphis he was forced and ended up thriving as a slightly undersized 5 after Wiseman was banned by NCAA.

I look at them as kind of a more modern NBA Taj Gibson compared to a  more Modern Kenneth Faired.

This is an apt explanation of their differences. From what I've seen, Okongwu has a little bit more handle and little bit more shake. Both have good measurements, athleticism, finishing, and shooting. Both project as solid defenders, but I'm not sure either will be able to anchor a defense.

I like the Kenneth Faried/Taj Gibson idea.

Okongwu feels more solid to me. Maybe you could get Achiuwa at a higher value draft slot but given that we are finally out of future draft picks I think that consolidating to take the player that you think can settle into this rotation and locker room is the best option.

I forgot that Chino Hills was the Ball brothers circus but at least that has got him used to functioning as a productive finisher in an up tempo system.

I'll be interested to see how they measure out in the combine (Is there a combine this year?) but according to Basketball Reference Okongwu weighs in at 245 and Precious at 225. I think Okongwu might be a bit short but provides the true bulk that we need out of the big man position in an Eastern Conference featuring Embiid, Giannis and Adebayo. Precious gets pushed around by those guys, Okongwuo has a better chance of being able to compete.

[footey]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

You are probably right.  Only issue is roster availability.  Draft and stash 1 or 2 guys I guess. Bolmari and Maledon?

[gouki88]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

You are probably right.  Only issue is roster availability.  Draft and stash 1 or 2 guys I guess. Bolmari and Maledon?

I would love to stash a guy like Bolmaro, Maledon or Poku. Pokusevski is a really intriguing prospect to me.

[footey]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

You are probably right.  Only issue is roster availability.  Draft and stash 1 or 2 guys I guess. Bolmari and Maledon?

I would love to stash a guy like Bolmaro, Maledon or Poku. Pokusevski is a really intriguing prospect to me.

Me too, but doubt he is around by 26/30. And I would not want to spend 14 on a D/S. That is why I didn't mention him!

[gouki88]

I think this is The draft not to trade up.
I might be wrong, but with more uncertainty regarding prospects, I'd rather have 3 swings than 1.

You are probably right.  Only issue is roster availability.  Draft and stash 1 or 2 guys I guess. Bolmari and Maledon?

I would love to stash a guy like Bolmaro, Maledon or Poku. Pokusevski is a really intriguing prospect to me.

Me too, but doubt he is around by 26/30. And I would not want to spend 14 on a D/S. That is why I didn't mention him!

It's really weird, while I agree with you that he shouldn't be available, I've seen recent mock drafts that have him in the 20s and one that has him in the 2nd round. So much volatility with these guys, it's great!