Questions about the Prediction of drafting White and Sullinger

[huzy]

In Chad Ford’s latest mock draft (10.0) he has the Celtics slotted as drafting Royce White and Jared Sullinger at #21 and #22. My initial reaction to this projection is that these two players would reflect exceptional value in the vacuum of evaluating overall talent. However, as I consider the domino effect of these picks, it brings me to an impasse about the direction of our roster.

Both Sullinger and White are PF’s. My impression is that White offers more flexibility because of his athleticism, where as Sullinger is either a pick and pop 4 or an opportunistic offensive rebounder / weak side scorer when his defender helps off. I feel it’s fair to say both are limited to the PF position.

The question is, how does this impact the rest of the roster? The prevailing idea is that any roster move beyond July 1st is predicated on KG resigning. An additionally popular concept is that KG is not interested in being a starting 5 next season and would prefer to go back to the 4. Another presumed key priority is resigning Jeff Green.

Additionally, the Celtics drafted a PF in JuJuan Johnson last season, who does not have the strength to transition to a 5 nor the speed and athleticism to transition to a 3. The drafting of White and Sullinger represents the following philosophy: “our most important returning veteran is a PF who does not want to transition to a 5, we are strongly committed to resigning a 3/4 that we traded our former starting C for, who happens to be a PF, our most substantial investment in the 2011 draft is a PF, we will invest our two first round picks in the 2012 draft in PF’s.”…really?

This introduces the following conclusions. If we do, in fact, draft Sullinger and White, I would expect this reflects the end of JJJ’s tenure as a Celtic. The truly unfortunate part of this scenario is that he never established much value and therefore will not return much in a trade. Additionally, this puts us in a position where we look to acquire a starting caliber C via Free Agency, which will presumably have us paying a premium, as this position almost always demands. This is not ideal.

 Also, how duplicative of each other are Sullinger and White let alone our roster? Again, I want to emphasize that I am excited about getting such value out of these two picks. The question is how they will fit. Ultimately, if we do draft both, I will expect at least one to be flipped into a trade asset. I have trouble envisioning us keeping both.

If we do draft both Sullinger and White, resign KG and Green, and keep JJJ, this roster is looking frighteningly Khan-ian. So I would be surprised to see this… unless Ainge is in asset acquisition mode.

[Celtics18]

Nice post.  Personally, I would be surprised if Danny drafted White and Sullinger back-to-back.  I know he likes to talk about drafting the best player available, but considering that we only have five guys signed as it is, I think he's bound to consider positional needs to some degree. 

I think he takes one of them, though, and I think that guy will be Royce White.

[Quetzalcoatl]

If White and Sullinger are the best picks available in Danny's opinion, I say he has to take them.  White should really try to transition to the 3, although he will have to work on his free throw shooting, etc.  His ceiling is just so much higher there than at the 4.  He has basically the same body size as Lebron, as weird as that is to say.

Then if one of JJJ or Sullinger works out - or even better, JJJ becomes a starter and Sullinger an above average back up - we're in good shape.  If just one of those two pans out at the 4, good enough for me.  We don't need JJJ, #21, #22, E'twan and our second rounder to be all stars in order for us to remain competitive. 

[CoachBo]

Easy solution.

Dump Triple J.

[Tr1boy]

Don't trust Chad ford. White on theory shouldn't get past 15. His size and handles alone make him a top prospect. Sullinger def a possibility. Would b a decent pick, but his injury/condition is a concern. More realistically I see us having a choice from harkless,t Jones, Marshall, Nicholson, q miller, fan Melo and Marcus Teague unless we move up. Would love it if we get either white or p Jones.