Poll: Who would Ainge have drafted #3 if Tatum were gone

[KGs Knee]

I have to think Ainge would have drafted Josh Jackson, despite the fact he refused to work out for us.  Ainge obviously preferred Tatum, but he seemed to also really like Jackson as well. And I think as much as Jackson may have wanted to avoid being drafted by Boston, if he was he would have got with the program.  It's not like Jackson would have actually refused to play and sabotage his career.

[mr. dee]

It's either Jackson of Isaac. Isaac's ceiling is probably the highest in this draft class with his length and athleticism.

[Smartacus]

My vote would be for Markkanen. Head says Ainge would've picked Jackson.

[BlastFromThePast]

Jonathan Isaac.

I agree or De'Aaron Fox.

[sawick48]

Yea Isaac, don't forget the games that Jackson's camp and the Suns played in going out of their way to be incommunacado for the Celtics and Ainge in an attempt to avoid Boston and get to a.......well I'd say better spot for the player but that's just false.

Not saying Danny 100% wouldn't have taken Jackson anyway but maybe there was a headache looming with the Jackson camp that Ainge wouldn't have thought was worth it anyway.

[Tr1boy]

Nightmare scenario, where the Sixers shock Ainge, and draft Tatum. What would he do and who would we draft.

 Easy answer is Fultz, I'd like to think Danny was smart enough to avoid him though. Safe pick was Josh Jackson although he's a moron. In the brilliant pick was Markkanen.

 Mitchell was just not realistic as the third pick although he should have been.

The answer.... you really want to know?

Dennis Smith Jr.

Because Fultz would have likely gone #2 to Lakers then ...

and it would have been between Lonzo and Jackson.  Two players Danny was not going to draft

I doubt any other teams really loved  Lonzo or Jackson...so trading down would have not been an option

You are looking at a backcourt foursome then of  Rozier, Smart, Smith Jr. , Kyrie.  Any two could be on the court at the same time

Glad it didn't workout that way because Tatum is better than Smith Jr. , is taller and more versatile.  Don't get me wrong, Smith Jr. has a bright future ahead

Semis minute also would have gone up much higher especially with no Tatum.

I think you are right

I think Fultz was always a ploy or bait to send out the wrong message on the Celtics true feelings .

Ball may have been out in frt too , even without an interview

Yup

And Jackson p---ed off Ainge

[KGs Knee]

It's either Jackson of Isaac. Isaac's ceiling is probably the highest in this draft class with his length and athleticism.

Isaac may very well have the best combination of physical measureables and athleticism of any player drafted in the lottery, but he probably has the least actual basketball skill.  I was never really sold on Isaac for this reason.  I'm just not sure he'll ever be more than a solid player.  There have been countless phenomenal athletes who have been nothing more than average players because they simply lacked any real skills.

I doubt Isaac was ever really on Ainge's radar, as he seems to shy away from these type of prospects.

[Beat LA]

It's either Jackson of Isaac. Isaac's ceiling is probably the highest in this draft class with his length and athleticism.

I really like Isaac. Dude was playing so well until he got hurt. Ugh. I couldn't have stomached Jackson, though. Good player, yes, but he's also a scuzzbag, imo.

[mr. dee]

It's either Jackson of Isaac. Isaac's ceiling is probably the highest in this draft class with his length and athleticism.

Isaac may very well have the best combination of physical measureables and athleticism of any player drafted in the lottery, but he probably has the least actual basketball skill.  I was never really sold on Isaac for this reason.  I'm just not sure he'll ever be more than a solid player.  There have been countless phenomenal athletes who have been nothing more than average players because they simply lacked any real skills.

I doubt Isaac was ever really on Ainge's radar, as he seems to shy away from these type of prospects.

That's what we thought about Jaylen Brown. Draft experts said he's an athlete, not a basketball player.

[clevelandceltic]

It's either Jackson of Isaac. Isaac's ceiling is probably the highest in this draft class with his length and athleticism.

Isaac may very well have the best combination of physical measureables and athleticism of any player drafted in the lottery, but he probably has the least actual basketball skill.  I was never really sold on Isaac for this reason.  I'm just not sure he'll ever be more than a solid player.  There have been countless phenomenal athletes who have been nothing more than average players because they simply lacked any real skills.

I doubt Isaac was ever really on Ainge's radar, as he seems to shy away from these type of prospects.

That's what we thought about Jaylen Brown. Draft experts said he's an athlete, not a basketball player.

Jaylen and Isaac were not the same at all. Jaylen was a 2 or 3 time Team USA player who should alot of offensive skills at the HS level. Even against his peers he showed that ability. He came in the 2nd ranked player in the class. Once he got to Cal his IQ was called into question.

Issac was at IMG and didnt really become a stud til his senior year. His O was never on the level of Jaylen but he showed elite D potential despite a thin and narrow frame. He too was looked at as a defensive prospect but showed different issues than Brown.

Brown had the question marks of could he be a basketball player due to the issues he faced in the Cal system. I dont remember those things being said about Isaac

[clevelandceltic]

I think it was either Jackson or Smith because Isaac doesnt fit the Ainge profile of one and done players. Ainge is very big on Team USA players. While Isaac played his Team USA his senior year, Tatum played like 3 maybe 4 years. Jackson like 3 or 4 years. Brown like 2 maybe 3. Smith I think 2

Point being is that he uses these to get an early read on players and I dont think Isaac fits that mold.

[Tr1boy]

It's either Jackson of Isaac. Isaac's ceiling is probably the highest in this draft class with his length and athleticism.

Isaac may very well have the best combination of physical measureables and athleticism of any player drafted in the lottery, but he probably has the least actual basketball skill.  I was never really sold on Isaac for this reason.  I'm just not sure he'll ever be more than a solid player.  There have been countless phenomenal athletes who have been nothing more than average players because they simply lacked any real skills.

I doubt Isaac was ever really on Ainge's radar, as he seems to shy away from these type of prospects.

Poor hands. Loses the ball too often.