Seriously, how about Ricky Ledo?

[MBz]

I'd take a chance with a second round pick on him, but I'm not using a first rounder on someone who didn't play basketball last year. 

[slamtheking]

been saying this for a while since his name started getting tossed out there in several threads --> the kid isn't ready yet.  He could have really used a couple of years of college ball first but had the misfortune of having the wrong people talking in his ear about jumping to the pros as soon as possible. 

any team taking him will need to wait out his development cycle which could be 2 years at least.

Ready yet?  Who is ready?  Even if we had to wait two years for development, that is nothing.  He does need to get stronger but he has undeniable lottery talent.  At 6'6, he's a legit scoring two who has vision of a point.  Remember, most if not all of the draft is based on potential.  He has some of the highest upside in the draft.

if the C's are running it back with this roster, Ledo's the wrong pick for 3 reasons:
1) C's are already loaded with SG's signed at least for 1 or 2 more years.  C's need bigs more than another SG.  --> no help to the C's
2) C's need a player ready to contribute next year.  Ledo will need a year in D-league at least and even if he made the roster, he's not getting playing time over AB, Lee, JET and Crawford.  --> no help to the C's
3) the kid is not the 16th best player in this draft.  he's also been out of competitive basketball for a year.  Sorry, as much as I root for PC, their scrimmages aren't that competitive.  His skills aren't sharp and he'd need more than 1 summer league session to get back to his top form.

potential plays a part in picks where players haven't proven themselves yet.  it's a bet the GMs make that they can find someone that hasn't shown much yet but will develop into a better player.  It's not how all GMs work or why all players are drafted.  GMs typically prefer a player that's shown a high level of skill over someone who hasn't.

First off, my original post said to trade down to take him.
Secondly, who at 16 will help put us over the top?  Scratch that, who at #1 would help put us over the top?  No one!  KG said it best at the end of the season, they need "more".  The fact is, whomever they choose at 16 won't be much help next year.  And at that point its a crap shoot. Ledo has as much, if not more, scoring ability mid round and later.  Remember, we could not buy a bucket last year. As far as the abundance of SGs, none of them have a future beyond 1-2 years.  Looking down the line (2 yrs), we could definitely use some offensive talent like him.

Reread what I wrote.  I said nothing about putting them over the top.  This core needs more players that can actually play.  at 16 they could get a big man that might be able to earn minutes and help.   Ledo's not that guy.

As for investing for 2 years down the line, the player they get at 16 should be able to be part of that new core and if it's a center, help offset the strong possibility that Melo is a bust and leave the C's still looking for a center.  SGs can be had in pretty much any draft.  Centers, not so much

[ctrey]

Frankly I would love to get a few extra picks in this draft. Either in the late first or early second.

[Dchuck]

been saying this for a while since his name started getting tossed out there in several threads --> the kid isn't ready yet.  He could have really used a couple of years of college ball first but had the misfortune of having the wrong people talking in his ear about jumping to the pros as soon as possible. 

any team taking him will need to wait out his development cycle which could be 2 years at least.

Ready yet?  Who is ready?  Even if we had to wait two years for development, that is nothing.  He does need to get stronger but he has undeniable lottery talent.  At 6'6, he's a legit scoring two who has vision of a point.  Remember, most if not all of the draft is based on potential.  He has some of the highest upside in the draft.

if the C's are running it back with this roster, Ledo's the wrong pick for 3 reasons:
1) C's are already loaded with SG's signed at least for 1 or 2 more years.  C's need bigs more than another SG.  --> no help to the C's
2) C's need a player ready to contribute next year.  Ledo will need a year in D-league at least and even if he made the roster, he's not getting playing time over AB, Lee, JET and Crawford.  --> no help to the C's
3) the kid is not the 16th best player in this draft.  he's also been out of competitive basketball for a year.  Sorry, as much as I root for PC, their scrimmages aren't that competitive.  His skills aren't sharp and he'd need more than 1 summer league session to get back to his top form.

potential plays a part in picks where players haven't proven themselves yet.  it's a bet the GMs make that they can find someone that hasn't shown much yet but will develop into a better player.  It's not how all GMs work or why all players are drafted.  GMs typically prefer a player that's shown a high level of skill over someone who hasn't.

First off, my original post said to trade down to take him.
Secondly, who at 16 will help put us over the top?  Scratch that, who at #1 would help put us over the top?  No one!  KG said it best at the end of the season, they need "more".  The fact is, whomever they choose at 16 won't be much help next year.  And at that point its a crap shoot. Ledo has as much, if not more, scoring ability mid round and later.  Remember, we could not buy a bucket last year. As far as the abundance of SGs, none of them have a future beyond 1-2 years.  Looking down the line (2 yrs), we could definitely use some offensive talent like him.

Reread what I wrote.  I said nothing about putting them over the top.  This core needs more players that can actually play.  at 16 they could get a big man that might be able to earn minutes and help.   Ledo's not that guy.

As for investing for 2 years down the line, the player they get at 16 should be able to be part of that new core and if it's a center, help offset the strong possibility that Melo is a bust and leave the C's still looking for a center.  SGs can be had in pretty much any draft.  Centers, not so much

How about you reread what I wrote.  For the third time, let me say it....TRADE DOWN.  You keep bringing up pick 16.  Anyhoo...  What does run it back mean?  You run it back, if you think you have a chance to win it all.  Not for a farewell tour.  No player at 16 will get minutes.  At least none that are in that range.  Rookies don't get run on this team (besides Sully), check it.  And what big is at 16 is worthy of building around?  Oh btw, SGs can be had in any draft?  No one can find 'em.  There are no SGs in the league anymore, Kobe, Wade, both old, Curry, Ellis.  Who else?

[Yogi]

There are plenty of good shooting guards in the league.  All Stars like James Harden, Paul George, Andre Igoudala, Manu Ginobili, Joe Johnson. 

Up and coming guys like Aaron Afflalo, Demar Derozan, Gordon Hayward,  Klay Thompson,  Evan Turner, Bradley Beal, Dion Waiters, Wes Mathews, Jeremy Lamb, McLemore and Oladipo this year. 

Sixth man scorers like Jamal Crawford, J. R. Smith, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Martin, Ray Allen, Jason Terry.

 All NBA defense guys like Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, Iman Shumpert, Danny Green, Thabo Sefolosha. 

What are you looking for?

[tarheelsxxiii]

Agree no one at 16 is going to play next year, and definitely worthwhile to trade down. Don't think anyone is expecting this kid to make an early contribution.

That said, I don't understand the argument that you wouldn't draft someone that didn't play last year. Gronkowski didn't play the year prior to being drafted, and he turned out okay.

Point is, no one is that appealing in our range. So, most likely isn't worthwhile to draft based on need (i.e., Center). And at 16, he may be among the best available.

[Celtics4ever]

Agree no one at 16 is going to play next year, and definitely worthwhile to trade down. Don't think anyone is expecting this kid to make an early contribution.

I don't agree.  I think given our talent level depending on what happens the #16 could be playing a lot.  If we keep KG and PP , probably not but if they are gone the #16 may play a lot.