Who Should the Celtics Draft if they held No. 1 pick and didn't trade it?

[footey]

I'd take Okongwu.  I think he fits Brad's schemes much better than Wiseman.  The next Bam? Unlikely, but still would fit in perfectly to our defensive sets.  Needs to work on jumper.

LaMelo Ball would be very exciting, but just don't see him fitting into our system.  Fans would love him though.  If Tatum could buy into Ball's usage, it would be pretty incredible tandem. Needs to improve jumper.

Wiseman doesn't seem at all switchable on D.  A taller version of Rob Williams, who doesn't have as good a feel as Rob offensively, although seems to have a better shooter's touch.

Edwards would not make much sense positionally. Athletically he seems a very sound choice.  Just worried he is reincarnation of Dion Waiters.

[Who]

Wiseman

[Moranis]

I went with Ball.  I think he has the most top end potential, which is what I'd be looking for with a high pick like that.

[Roy H.]

Wiseman

Yep.  The most upside at a position of need.

[Birdman]

This shouldn’t be an discussion lol..Wiseman is a no-brainer for us but Ainge would draft Ball probably

[KGs Knee]

Wiseman doesn't seem at all switchable on D. 

Of all the various things I've seen about Wiseman, both good and bad, this seems to be the most inaccurate.  I've watched tons of video on this kid and I can tell you he moves more than well enough laterally to switch on screens.  I'd assume the quickest guards will beat him but he can recover very fast and has an enormous block zone due to his leaping ability, body control, and length.  I don't think this is a guy anyone is going to have much luck challenging at the rim once he learns to stop biting on fakes.

Wiseman seems to have all the physical tools and skills.  It's all between the ears for him.  If he's can learn NBA concepts and has the drive and proper mindset he'll be a star.  If not, he could be just another big dude that could have been more than he was.

[BitterJim]

Gotta be James Wiseman. With the size and name he has, I would be all about having a BiggerJim on this team

Plus, like, he's a great prospect at a position of need. But that's secondary to the whole name thing.

[hwangjini_1]

easy peasy answer since we are dealing ainge here.

let us say that ainge has the #1 pick and wants wiseman. but he knows other teams will pick other players first. so, as he has done before, ainge trades down, gets the player he wants, and then also picks up more draft choices.

[footey]

easy peasy answer since we are dealing ainge here.

let us say that ainge has the #1 pick and wants wiseman. but he knows other teams will pick other players first. so, as he has done before, ainge trades down, gets the player he wants, and then also picks up more draft choices.

You're cheating.  Poll question premise is that you don't trade pick.  Got to use the guy.  Still Wiseman?

[wiley]

I said Okongwu.  I think he has a better chance to be Bam than Wiseman has to be Ayton. 

But, I must admit....I am completely guessing....Beware the perfect physical specimen and all that...

[boscel33]

I'm in the Okongwu camp, even though I think a PG is sorely needed to backup Walker and become the PG of the future.  Okongwu brings automatic inside presence, something the C's could use to open up Tatum/Brown.

[gouki88]

Wiseman without question for me. He has Dwight Howard potential, except he's bigger.

A curveball pick I'd consider is Avdija, if Hayward was going to leave. His playmaking and offensive versatility would fit really nicely

[td450]

From the current perspective, it's one of the worst years ever to get a #1 pick. Someone could always surprise us.

I'm in the camp that it is dramatically easier to get a high quality big in the draft. Trading for one or signing a free agent is crazy hard to pull off.

I thought 2018 was a missed opportunity for Wendell Carter, although he's had some nagging minor injuries so far. I think the same thing in Okongwu. It seems like a #5-7 is needed for that, not a #1.

[droopdog7]

I probably take Ball.