Poll: Grade the Celtics draft

[Vermont Green]

I am not sure what people expected out of this with the picks that we had.  To me it is clear that one objective of the night was to shed some salary/cap hold.  They traded one first round pick for a future first and a very high second round pick (non-guaranteed, no cap hold).  Plus they traded Baynes which was purely for salary.

As to the players that they picked, who knows.  I think the hope with Langford is that he was not able to show his full potential due to being on a bad team and having an injury.  We'll see.  I certainly don't know but I think I understand the logic behind targeting him.

No one we drafted is going to have an immediate impact but I don't think it would be fair to expect that.  We have cap space now (assuming Kyrie and Al are in fact gone).  That is where the impact is going to be.

[CelticsElite]

More than a little worried about Langford; Schmidtz’ breakdown has him as a low-energy defender who fails to give consistent energy, and as a ball-stopper prone to hero ball. He also seems redundant of Brown/Tatum. Idk.

he's a fairly different player than brown and especially Tatum. Also you can never have too many wings... Id like 15 brown and tatums on my team..

[nickagneta]

I would put it at B-.

First off, let's be realistic, no one should have expected Ainge to draft 3 rookies in the first round. Ainge moving a pick out of the round and into another draft had to be expected. Therefore the trade with Phoenix to salary dump Baynes while also moving a pick from this year's very late first round to Milwaukee's pick next year is a tremendous move. It opened up a bunch of space, like $6 million worth, and got us a pick in next year's draft with protection only at 1-7.

Another thing, Waters at 51 is nothing more than a possible, key word here being "possible", 2-Way player. He probably takes PJ Dozier's spot. As a possible 2-Way player, Waters is a very good get being an SEC DPOY with plus ball handling and passing skills. Too bad about his size.

That leaves the picks at 14 and 22.  Langford without his injury probably is taken top 10 in this draft. I do think the injury affected his shooting. He also played at Indiana, a system heavy team, and that probably holds back the shine he might have received otherwise. He, to me, screams to be a player that has the potential to be a much better pro than college player.

But I am not in love with the pick. I don't see that he was clearly BPA like the Celtics did and think he could have been had at 20, even if ESPN said they suspected he might not be. But it's not a horrible pick.

At 22, again, not in love with the pick, as again, I think Danny reached a bit here with Williams. While I don't think he would have been available at 33(though that is clearly debatable), the Celtics could easily got him at 24 and moved 22 instead. I do like the Williams pick better than the Langford pick, but not sure that is saying much. Williams is tough and smart and brings it but is very
much a below the rim, undersized PF who has transformed his body to try to make it in the pros.

I am not sure any of these picks see playing time next year. Waters as a 2-Way probably lives in Maine and Langford and the Williams boys probably join him there most of the year.

Overall, I think the important part of the night was moving the salary to optimize the free agency flexibility and getting what appears to be an almost guaranteed pick next year, in a better draft, for a pick this year.

[CFAN38]

I give this draft a B

Langford, I had him ranked in my 10 man 4 draft tier this group these players are the guys I had ranked between 10-17. Ainge has recent history of hitting on players with a similar profile as Langford. Both Brown and Smart came into the NBA as highly ranked prep prospects with major question marks with their outside shooting. If he can develop into a + 34% 3pt shooter like they have he has a really nice ceiling.

Williams, I view him as a nice rotational 3rd big on a good team. With the Cs current roster construction he could realistically start games this season. Everything you published about Grant razes about his character and work ethic for a team hopefully coming out of chemistry issues he will be a great locker room addition.

Edwards, I wasnt really high on this pick. Its absolutely has nothing to do with Edwards the player. As a player I think he will carve out a nice long term role as a backup scoring off the bench PG. I just don't like the positional value of drafting a player whose production can likely be found from a vet min FA.     

[celticinorlando]

B-

Don’t hate the Romeo pick but I do not love it.
Williams will be solid and is very intelligent
Edwards will be a rotation player.

[Celts Fan 508]

I gave it a B.

Langford has a ton of potential, I would have preferred Goga.

Williams is a high character guy who is strong and isthe SEC MVP 2 years straight.

Edwards was my draft binkie, I think he will immediately offer offense off of the bench and will continue to do so for years.   

Waters, I don’t know much about him and would have preferred the center from his college team but he was the SEC defensive player of the year. 

We got a future first and out of Baynes contract, I wish we could have got rid of Yabusele as well though.

[BringToughnessBack]

After this offseason so far with Kyrie and Horford saying adios to our team, I am grading a bit on the p--- the ground side of things. It is hard for me to put a realistic grade on anything as I truly do not have eyes into private workouts and since I never watched a full game with any of our picks, I am truly not the one to put a grade on something just for the hell of it. I wanted a big and thought there were players who could have given us some hope they could be stars going forward that we seemed to pass on. Most likely due to the fact of our rumored interest in Mr. V.

I have been wrong over and over with my college talent assessment so I wil defer to those who know talent better then me. Gut says C, p---ed off offseason so far says F, and  hope is an A with one shocker that truly impresses. I actually think our tiny 3rd pick could be the best of the lot. He can really spray points like IT could spray points. One can only hope he is half as good at IT with a 2nd round pick. Romeo looks tough in the video i watched as well. He could also shock us in a good way.

[saltlover]

After sleeping on it, I gave the Celtics an A.  I surprised myself with this grade, because I was and am really high on Brandon Clarke, who we whiffed on.

That said:

1) I think Romeo Langford was absolutely the best player available when he was selected, and he was better than multiple players selected ahead of him.  He could easily be a top 5 player from this class.  You can never have enough high-ceiling, two-way wings.

2) I like Grant Williams.  He’s obviously had college success (2-time SEC player of the year) and he thinks his best attribute is that he’s really good on quickly picking up what the coaches tell him to do.  After the last season, that’s the kind of rookie you need to bring onto the team. He’s not going to be a star, but he’s a very safe pick that could be a useful role player for most or all of his rookie contract — that’s a fine player to pick at 22.

3) I liked both trades (ignoring that it might have cost us Clarke). We got a bonus early 2nd for moving down four spots, and then we moved into a comparable spot in next year’s draft while clearing salary to put us in max contract cap space.  Essentially we turned #20 into #33, a presumptive late 1st next year (in a draft with a much better international class in case we wind up with 3 1sts again), and cap space that allows us to cross into max free agent territory.

4) I LOVE Carsen Edwards.  He’s suited to be the type of microwave bench scorer that we’ve been lacking, although it could take him a season to understand NBA defensive principles enough to be regularly playable.  I didn’t want him to be my draft binkie because we didn’t have an early 2nd round pick, but he was.  I’m incredibly excited for this pick.

All in all, I think this was one of the best drafts Ainge has had.  Obviously we won’t know for years how it all looks in hindsight, but we came away with three players that could be hits, including home run potential on a couple, a future first, and max cap space.  The last week of the Celtics offseason has stunk, but I’m feeling a lot better about the team today than I was yesterday morning.

[BringToughnessBack]

After sleeping on it, I gave the Celtics an A.  I surprised myself with this grade, because I was and am really high on Brandon Clarke, who we whiffed on.

That said:

1) I think Romeo Langford was absolutely the best player available when he was selected, and he was better than multiple players selected ahead of him.  He could easily be a top 5 player from this class.  You can never have enough high-ceiling, two-way wings.

2) I like Grant Williams.  He’s obviously had college success (2-time SEC player of the year) and he thinks his best attribute is that he’s really good on quickly picking up what the coaches tell him to do.  After the last season, that’s the kind of rookie you need to bring onto the team. He’s not going to be a star, but he’s a very safe pick that could be a useful role player for most or all of his rookie contract — that’s a fine player to pick at 22.

3) I liked both trades (ignoring that it might have cost us Clarke). We got a bonus early 2nd for moving down four spots, and then we moved into a comparable spot in next year’s draft while clearing salary to put us in max contract cap space.  Essentially we turned #20 into #33, a presumptive late 1st next year (in a draft with a much better international class in case we wind up with 3 1sts again), and cap space that allows us to cross into max free agent territory.

4) I LOVE Carsen Edwards.  He’s suited to be the type of microwave bench scorer that we’ve been lacking, although it could take him a season to understand NBA defensive principles enough to be regularly playable.  I didn’t want him to be my draft binkie because we didn’t have an early 2nd round pick, but he was.  I’m incredibly excited for this pick.

All in all, I think this was one of the best drafts Ainge has had.  Obviously we won’t know for years how it all looks in hindsight, but we came away with three players that could be hits, including home run potential on a couple, a future first, and max cap space.  The last week of the Celtics offseason has stunk, but I’m feeling a lot better about the team today than I was yesterday morning.

I too went to bed not in the best of spirits. Actually had a horrible nights sleep as well and I am the most sound sleeper usually.

I am still all over the place with our offseason. I like your spin on the draft and hopeful as well we fall closer to an A then an F. Time will tell. The hardest thing for me is the expectation that we were at the pinnacle of becoming a great team and then one bad season where the gel did not occur, everything tumbled like a drunk game of Jenga.

TP for the better perspective this morning. I hope to get there in a few days.

[Moranis]

I just don't get why the team wouldn't have taken a flyer on Bol Bol at 33.  I understand the concern of using a 1st round pick with all that guaranteed money on someone with real injury issues, but at 33, you have to take that risk as you can't get top 5 talent in the 2nd round very often.  Langford is redundant and there were better PF available than Williams.  I gave the draft a D.  Only not an F because I liked the trades.

[GreenEnvy]

I usually fall in love with whoever we draft, and they usually never meet expectations.

This time I am not enthused by the picks at all, so hopefully the trend of me being wrong continues and they all pan out.

[Emmette Bryant]

A

I am going to be in the minority here but I was really happy with out draft last night.

Romeo Langford - A+
Romeo Langford came across as weird and sleepy on draft night but he's an absolute gifted scorer. Good size at 6'5/6'11 wingspan. Only shot 27% from 3 but all signs point to that being an aberration.

He's an elite finisher at the rim, with the type of touch that evades most of the guys on this roster like Smart, Jaylen, and even Tatum to a degree.

Langford was a top 6 prospect in this draft before the season started. In this case I think he'll be a big beneficiary of the NBA spacing and will be our starting 2 guard for years to come.

Grant Williams - A
While Langford was about overlooking college production for talent, Williams is about putting stock in it. Williams was an excellent NCAA player his past 2 years as a do it all forward.

Clearly an incredibly hard worker, he scored in the 96th percentile at the strength testing at P3 program for for current, future, and past NBA players tested.

Extremely solid 83% free throw shoots bodes well for his ability to one day develop into a spot up 3 threat.

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/01/23/draft-notes-upside-case-grant-williams/

This is an excellent article which draw his comparisons in the PJ Tucker, Jae Crowder, Draymond territory. He is getting the same criticisms as those guys for his lack of height and prototypical athleticism while also drawing praise for their 3-5 defensive versatility.


Carson Edwards - B+
Cant say I know much about about Edwards but his output in college was undeniable at the PG position. Seems like he well suited to becoming a microwave bench scorer at the next level.

This can be a difficult position to fill as Terry Rozier proved by reverting back to an inefficient chucker when moved back to the bench. If you can find a player that relishes this role in the early second round, that is an excellent use of pick.

----

The Celtics stayed true to their philosophy of building for the future while remaining viable in the present. Langford was an upside pick that should be able to carve out a role immediately, while Williams and Edwards are borderline close to NBA ready.

A lot of people were hoping for bigs to be drafted but I'd be much happier signing or trading for an established presence at the 4/5 and you'd hope after the Baynes move that they have a decent idea of who might be availible to them.

If we can sign a Vuc or trade for a Capela/Adams then this draft haul made all the sense in the world.

I agree, Danny got 2 of the best players in the draft. I assume he'll get a big in free agency.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of writing this. TP.

Also picked up a #1 pick for next year.

A

[Kuberski33]

You can't grade till you watch them play vs NBA caliber competition.  So I'll be optimistic and give them a B because it seems like Langford has a high potential ceiling and Williams could be a cross between Al & Leon Powe.

It's guaranteed though one of these guys will have a good summer league game and everyone here will be crowing about what a 'steal' he is - until he shoots 0 for 9 in his next game.  And then a bunch of posters will think that one of the 2nd round guys - who obviously can't play - will be a trade asset that half the league is lining up to acquire. 

[hwangjini_1]

I went B.

I like the Langford pick, I think he's going to impress people in time. The Williams pick was VALUE! All the draft experts I trust loved him, the ones who didn't unfortunately get the TV airtime...

Wouldn't have minded taking a center in the 2nd round but I do think the 2 guards we grabbed have upside. The Baynes trade was fine for me, opens up the cap space to get serious this summer.

Only reason it's a B is because I think they wanted Clarke at 22 and got outmanoeuvred, which is a shame.

this sums it up for me. plus, my standard is this - these are mid to late first rounders and two second rounders. how many credible nba players will come from this draft?

 langford i worried about his 3 point shooting, the rest of his game is supposed to be okay. then i learned he had a torn ligament in his shooting hand. so, maybe..... he turns out to be a good nba player.

williams is undersized for a pf, but very strong, works hard, doesnt mind dirty work under the basket, excellent passer, and a good shooter. from 3 point range he only shot around 32% in college, but his FT% is high...so maybe. and at #22 you take your chances. lots of folks had him ranked much higher. fine pick at #22.

the dynamic duo of the second round - i was delighted he got edwards. and surprised me with waters. both are similar i think. great skills, fast, good shooters, they both play hard, both are smart players, great FT shooters, both are short. if not for the last part, they would have gone a lot earlier.

second round picks SHOULD be gambles. i dont know if either will become nba players, but i think edwards at least has a better chance than many of the others chosen in the second round.

i gave only a B since i would have preferred a few other players over langford. but i trust the celtics to know more.

A NOTE: langford, williams, edwards all got to the FT line 6 to 7 times a game. this was a problem for the celtics last year.

P.S. i love edwards.  he will be fun to watch i think.

[TheSundanceKid]

F.

Everyone chosen in the first round could have been taken later.

Could have had williams at 33
Could have had langford at 22

Missed out on some real studs.

Danny drafted for depth and did not choose bpas.

Langford will be behind brown. At absolute best langford might become a purely offensive 6th man who looks for number 1. A crawford type of player minus the outside shooting.

Edwards will do exactly the same thing, I am actually ok with edwards off the bench, problem is him playing with Langford.

Williams will make a good bench pf. Because although he is strong and smart he lacks the range, he lacks more importantly, height, length and explosion to keep up with the freaks in the nba. Honeslty there are very few nba pfs that I can see williams staying in front of out at the 3pt line. And I cannot see him staying in front of any wing players on switched. Add that to his propensity to foul alot amd this guy will be sitting on the bench alot. But he is strong. Hes PJ Tucker. And that is ok I guess. But I wanted more.

I know you may have mentioned elsewhere but who are these studs we missed at #14 and #22?

I think Langford was the best player on the board at #14, his style is very translatable to the NBA. I'm incredibly glad we avoided Bol Bol, Little, Porter Jr, Doumbouya and Hachimura who were all dramatically overhyped by certain draft "experts". with most of them faltering massively in the draft itself.

The only one who it would have been nice to have was Clarke who we could have had at #20. But considering we turned that into Williams, Edwards and a 2020 1st, I can't find fault. Clarke will likely be a rotation player and no more, same as Williams...