So the idea behind this thread is to get everyone accustomed with the talent at the top of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 NBA drafts as we get closer to a few of the most important draft nights of the Decade as a Celtics fan.
We will likely stink for at least the next two seasons, which is by design to get us good draft picks while we develop talent. (unless a summer 2007 scenario presents itself again).
In 2015, 16' and 17' we'll likely have our best ever shot at getting lucky enough to land multiple top 3 picks and I personally believe this is part of Danny's plan. He's a numbers guy and picking in the top 1-5 in three drafts (top 6 over four drafts if you include Marcus Smart) in a row is going to yield a high possibility of nabbing one or two superstars.
Picks in 2015:Celtics own pick between 1-8: we should head to the lottery in 4th place, while the Lakers should head in 5th with a few more wins. If we are super lucky then the Lakers will win too many games AND the Timberwolves will get Rubio and Pekovic back and scrape the 7 win differential we've gained on them by the end of the season which would give us a top 3 pick.
Fingers crossed.
Clippers pick between 20-25 at this stage2016 picks:Celtics own 2016 pick: should be 1-5 and a serious contender for the first draft pick with Philly because Minny will be better, Utah and LA will be better too in Kobe's last season.
To me, the 2016 and 2017 draft classes will be the best opportunity for us to secure a legitimate franchise changing player.
Brooklyn's 2016 pick:could be anywhere from 5th to 20th. Looking good right now.
So I thought we should make a list and complementing video/article/info for any suggested players. If you have players you think could be franchise guys, please list them and add a highlight clip or stats etc...I'll start with my own binkys and then put a video list in below the list.
Who would I take? I'll add some more, but at this stage, my 2015 top 5 binkies are in order:
1 Jahlil Okafor C
2 Emmanuel Mudiay PG
3 D'Angelo Russell G
4 Karl Towns PF/C
5 Stanley Johnson SF
6 Kristaps Porzingis PF
7 Myles Turner
8 Justise Winslow
(in close 9th Willy Cauley Stein)
I'll keep it to top 5 for 2016 for now and add regularly because that Brooklyn pick could literally be anywhere if they can't dump Lopez and D Will AND replace them with a semi decent pair of players. (Can't see how they can?). Great chance of this pick being in the lottery. AND our pick swap in 2017 with Brooklyn. I love Danny.
2016 top 5 picks we have ours and Brooklyn's pick.
1) Jaylen Brown F/G (Franchise player?)
SF 6'8" tall2) Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
G/F 6'8" tall3) Malik Newman G PG/SG 6'4" (starting caliber All Star if not franchise player?)
4) Benn Simmons
SF/F 6'9" tall (not as high on my list as others have him, but All Star?)
5) Dragan Bender
SF/PF 7' tall 17 year old playing for Macabi Telaviv. Needs work but dominates at age 17 in grown men league (Project who will be 19 come draft night).
2015 vids:1 Jahlil Okafor C from last week's game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJTq9oWv0NI2 Emmanuel Mudiay PG China league highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC_--s6M3QI3 D'Angelo Russell G from last weeks game (career high college)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIAZWUayKpE4 Karl Towns PF/C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbMysT3TV3A5 Stanley Johnson SF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyp2mRfa3MI6 Kristaps Porzingis PF from 3 weeks ago vs Barcelona.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhoEgBjZXSM7 Myles Turner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=303ZUCFvkcE8 Justise Winslow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA0zapCPc9w(in close 9th Mario Heznoja from Barcelona)
2016 draft vids:
Jaylen Brown