trade both first rounders to get Austin. Would you?

[slamtheking]

Another good point, Bird. There's a lot of room for the picks (currently projected for 19 and 22) to move in either direction. Still, I can't imagine I'd trade two picks for one undersized ball-dominant shooting guard. I don't say that because I dislike Rivers, I say that because it's a risky position and the Celtics have failed to acquire a new impact big man in years. Players I'd give up both picks for (unless one is 12-16 and the other is 15-18): Lamb, Drummond, Robinson, Sullinger.

To say he could fall to the second round if his name wasn't Rivers is asinine. He was ranked as one of the top players in his high school class. This fact alone made avery bradely a top 20 pick. He played on a Duke team that was very deep at the guard position and average 15pts a game as a freshman. OJ Mayo is a comparable player to Austin and he was the 3rd pick in his draft.   

I think you're ignoring the possibility that Rivers was such a highly touted prospect in large part because of his last name. And Bradley was a top 20 pick mostly because that was a weak draft in terms of depth. If Bradley was in this draft, he'd likely be projected as a second rounder.

Big credit for Mayo - that's a good comp. About the same size and similar flaws (not quite a 1 because of questionable ability to create for others, lack of consistent defensive effort, a little short for the 2, ego concerns). But Mayo was a better overall shooter (41% to 36.5% on 3s, 80% to 66% on 3s, but only 44% to 43% difference on overall FGs), scored more (20.7 to 15.5), and a little better in other numbers (4.5 boards, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals to 3.4, 2.1, 1.0) for an overall PER advantage of 22.3 to 16.85. Different circumstances though in terms of college - Austin at the more structured Duke with better surrounding talent but more limitations on his ability to just do what he wanted, OJ playing at USC which let him do what he wanted while asking him to do everything.

In the end, I think you have to look at Mayo's pro career, which has been okay but a bit underwhelming, and wonder would you trade two first round picks for that. I wouldn't. (Though I would love it if the Cs could pick Mayo up relatively cheap.)

absolutely right.  Throw in the fact that Bradley was a top 2-3 prospect after high school, not just top 10 and look where he slid in a weak draft.  Heck, just look at that kid Tyler (I think that's his name) that skipped a year of college for pro ball in Europe.  he dropped to the second round last year.  being a touted high school player does not guarantee draft position or quality player.

currently (as of 3/27) portland has the 4th,11th, and 41st picks in the draft. The celtics have the 17th, 24th, 40th, and 47th.

If I where danny, I would trade the 17th and 24th for the 11th and 41st. Then take Austin at 11th. If Milwaukee keeps playing well the celtics would then have 3 picks in a strong 2nd round. Going by draft express's mock those picks could potentially be Jae Crowder,Will Barton, and Jeff Withey

Danny could then even package 2 or 3 of the 2nds to move up the the beginning of the 2nd round 31-35 if a 1st round player he likes (Dramond Green/Jae Crowder/Fab Melo) falls out of the first round.
====================
My proposed trade has nothing to do with the Cs getting the Milwaukee pick or not.

Not true.  you stated the C's would have 3 2nd rounders in the draft if they made the trade you proposed of moving their 2 1sts for Portland's 1st and 2nd to get Rivers.  If you're not counting Milwaukee's, what other pick are you counting in addition to the C's own pick and Portland's-->specifically, where are you getting the 40th pick in the draft if not Milwaukee's?

Also, I would not package 2 or 3 picks in the 40 range of this draft to move up to the low 30's.  The quality of players in the 40's will be pretty close to those in the mid-30's and more picks means a better shot at finding someone who can stick with the team.

[CFAN38]

I think you're ignoring the possibility that Rivers was such a highly touted prospect in large part because of his last name. And Bradley was a top 20 pick mostly because that was a weak draft in terms of depth. If Bradley was in this draft, he'd likely be projected as a second rounder.

Jeremiah Rivers was a 3 star recruit by Rivals.com Austin was the #1 ranked player from the same site. Bradley's draft wasn't great but it was a lot better then last years

[paintitgreen]

Yup, Jeremy Tyler. As a high school junior in San Diego in 2008-09, he was arguably the most sought after recruit in the country, picking Louisville over UCLA and USC. Decided to skip his senior year and play professionally in Israel in 2009-10 and in Japan in 2010-11. Was drafted 39th overall last year. And that's for a 6'10", 250 pound center.

Revisiting Mayo - yes he went third but if you look back at and redo that draft he's out of the lottery and maybe all the way at the end of the first round. Given what we know now, at least Rose, Love, Westbrook, Hibbert, Gallinari, Ibaka, McGee, Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Batum, Pekovic and George Hill all go ahead of him. He'd be in a group with Bayless, Asik, Jason Thompson, DJ Augustin, Beasley, Robin Lopez, Speights, Chalmers, Hickson, Courtney Lee, Darrell Arthur, Mbah a Moute and Dragic. Hell this year guys like Kosta Koufos and Brandon Rush are arguably playing better and could better fill roles for good teams. That's 29 other guys in his draft right there. (Great effing draft by the way. Good thing we grabbed JR Giddens 30th - Pekovic, Chalmers, Jordan, Asik and Mbah a Moute all went in the 7 following picks.)

[CFAN38]

currently (as of 3/27) portland has the 4th,11th, and 41st picks in the draft. The celtics have the 17th, 24th, 40th, and 47th.

If I where danny, I would trade the 17th and 24th for the 11th and 41st. Then take Austin at 11th. If Milwaukee keeps playing well the celtics would then have 3 picks in a strong 2nd round. Going by draft express's mock those picks could potentially be Jae Crowder,Will Barton, and Jeff Withey

Danny could then even package 2 or 3 of the 2nds to move up the the beginning of the 2nd round 31-35 if a 1st round player he likes (Dramond Green/Jae Crowder/Fab Melo) falls out of the first round.
====================
My proposed trade has nothing to do with the Cs getting the Milwaukee pick or not.
Not true.  you stated the C's would have 3 2nd rounders in the draft if they made the trade you proposed of moving their 2 1sts for Portland's 1st and 2nd to get Rivers.  If you're not counting Milwaukee's, what other pick are you counting in addition to the C's own pick and Portland's-->specifically, where are you getting the 40th pick in the draft if not Milwaukee's?

Also, I would not package 2 or 3 picks in the 40 range of this draft to move up to the low 30's.  The quality of players in the 40's will be pretty close to those in the mid-30's and more picks means a better shot at finding someone who can stick with the team.

The Milwaukee pick in no way effects a trade with Portland. I was simply saying that losing a first round pick to gain a coveted player while additionally gaining a 2nd in a deep draft would be an added benefit. My point about trading 2 second round picks to move up is solely based on Ainge pin pointing a prospect who slides and moving up to get him.

[paintitgreen]

Jeremiah Rivers was a 3 star recruit by Rivals.com Austin was the #1 ranked player from the same site. Bradley's draft wasn't great but it was a lot better then last years

Jeremiah Rivers' best season was as a junior at Indiana when he averaged 6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists on 40% shooting playing nearly 30 minutes a night. His first two years at Georgetown he averaged 2 points, 2 boards and an assist on 34% shooting in 15 minutes a game. Some three star prospect. Also, guards are more highly valued in college recruiting because it's more of a guard's game than the pros. Being a 5'11" point guard, 6'3" shooting guard or 6'6" power forward isn't as much of a factor in college as it is in the NBA. I don't know why I'm in this particular argument. I was just pointing out that the last name could have had an impact on perceptions of his ability and prospects going back to his high school days.

I like Rivers, and have said that if he was available in the late teens, it seems likely to me that he'd be the best player available because the potential reward is greater than with most anybody else who will be on the board then. I just would not give up two first round picks since I think he's far from a sure thing. Going back to Mayo - I would take Mayo over Robin Lopez or Courtney Lee, but I would take Lopez and Lee over Mayo.

[CeltsAcumen]

Short answer:  No.

The draft is too packed with bigs and Austin Rivers is overrated.

People need to get over Austin Rivers.  Draft him if you can get him in the 2nd round, he has 2nd round talent in a non-drafted free agent body.  Ask yourself can Austin Rivers guard Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Steve Nash, CP3?  No.  So why draft him?

sorry 6'1" Shooting guards who cannot play the poing, who cannot go left are not a commodity I want to waste a pick on when there are 7 footers on the board.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I just read every post after my post and they all (except maybe two or so) say the same thing I said! LOL

[thestackshow]

Short answer:  No.

The draft is too packed with bigs and Austin Rivers is overrated.

People need to get over Austin Rivers.  Draft him if you can get him in the 2nd round, he has 2nd round talent in a non-drafted free agent body.  Ask yourself can Austin Rivers guard Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Steve Nash, CP3?  No.  So why draft him?

sorry 6'1" Shooting guards who cannot play the poing, who cannot go left are not a commodity I want to waste a pick on when there are 7 footers on the board.

Not sure if serious.

[arambone]

If he's not serious, I am. I don't think he'll be much of a defensive upgrade from Ray Allen, current version.

I think Rivers needs to develop some real pg skills to stand out in the NBA on a decent team.

[Galeto]

I wouldn't be opposed to trading both picks (frankly, two picks in the 18-25 range isn't ALL THAT) if it gets the Celtics up into, say, the 11th pick but I wouldn't do it for Rivers necessarily.  I'd do it for John Henson though if he's available.  There's a chance that even Harrison Barnes could be available but then you'd have to contend with why he would be available at all and whether he's worth it. I like to say it would be a Pierce type steal to get Barnes but I look at his game, stripped of his high school accolades and I see a good shooter and solid post player who can't do much else, not handle the ball, not pass and not penetrate.

[lightspeed5]

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2012/

i think both firsts could potentially get us into the teens

if austins still on board around 15 or 16, i say trade both 1st rounders to get up there

[lightspeed5]

patriots traded up, now its the celtics turn to do the same.

[clover]

I might trade up, but not for Austin.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

No.

Not when I can get a Terrence Ross or Evan Fournier and keep the other pick to get a big.

If we are going to trade up, I'd rather target Brad Beal instead, but that's kind of a reach.

[bfrombleacher]

I really, really don't get the infatuation with this guy. He's good but if I had a choice I wouldn't want to have my dad coach me (no offense dad). Plus aren't wings supposed to be the easiest position to fill?