Marcus Smart -- Keep or Trade?

[The One]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

Overall, I like this idea but:

Kane is a lot older...4 years.

Also is his defense good enough?

[D.o.s.]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

I like Kane but if you've got, say, the 5th pick in the draft who're you going to snag instead of Smart? Randle?

[hwangjini_1]

smart looked on the video to be an outstanding player. keeping him makes lots of sense.

but, i dont know whether he would be a good pairing with rondo or not. both play good defense and rebound well, a definite plus if both guards do that.

but...they have similar offensive games in that neither are good, reliable outside shooters. both cut to the basket for much of their offense. i worry that nba defenses would be able to play off them on the perimeter. defenses may just say "go ahead and shoot" to both of them, sag off, and take away the penetration.

honestly, if the celtics draft smart i think rondo may be moved.

[PhoSita]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

I like Kane but if you've got, say, the 5th pick in the draft who're you going to snag instead of Smart? Randle?

With the 5th pick, assuming Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, and Exum are already gone (that's the likely top 4), I'd take a long look at Smart, but also seriously consider Gordon. 

If Danny really believes either Randle or Vonleh is the clear cut best player available at 5, he should take him regardless of the fact that we have a million power forwards.  But I'd rather come away with a player who projects as a high level starter at some other position (SG and SF seems to be the strength of this draft).

[Donoghus]

Smart strikes me as a "Danny guy". 

If the Celtics are at #5 and its Smart/Vonleh/Gordon/Randle, I think he goes Smart.  And I'd keep him.

[hwangjini_1]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

I like Kane but if you've got, say, the 5th pick in the draft who're you going to snag instead of Smart? Randle?

With the 5th pick, assuming Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, and Exum are already gone (that's the likely top 4), I'd take a long look at Smart, but also seriously consider Gordon. 

If Danny really believes either Randle or Vonleh is the clear cut best player available at 5, he should take him regardless of the fact that we have a million power forwards.  But I'd rather come away with a player who projects as a high level starter at some other position (SG and SF seems to be the strength of this draft).

largely in agreement with pho here. though another point to keep in mind is that since there are a sizable herd of good sf and sg who can score in this draft, ainge could pick up a good starter at those positions with the #18ish pick.

at pick #5 to #8, ainge should, and will, go for the bpa. i hope the celtics can pick up vonleh in that range. combined with sully i think they different play style would work. it may turn out that neither player's future is exclusively center or pf.

stevens is smart enough to play matchups, using the distinct skill sets of sully and vonleh depending upon the opposing front line they are facing.

[The One]

smart looked on the video to be an outstanding player. keeping him makes lots of sense.

but, i dont know whether he would be a good pairing with rondo or not. both play good defense and rebound well, a definite plus if both guards do that.

but...they have similar offensive games in that neither are good, reliable outside shooters. both cut to the basket for much of their offense. i worry that nba defenses would be able to play off them on the perimeter. defenses may just say "go ahead and shoot" to both of them, sag off, and take away the penetration.

honestly, if the celtics draft smart i think rondo may be moved.

This makes sense.  Neither Rondo nor Smart can hit the J consistently.

I guess I would hope that Smart would be the first guard off the bench in his rookie season.  And plug in a shooter opposite him.

Long term...I think you're right...if Smart comes, Rondo goes.

[Tr1boy]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

I like Kane but if you've got, say, the 5th pick in the draft who're you going to snag instead of Smart? Randle?

For me its gordon. Or you trade down for tj warren. Maybe consider anderson

[RJ87]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

I like Kane but if you've got, say, the 5th pick in the draft who're you going to snag instead of Smart? Randle?

With the 5th pick, assuming Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, and Exum are already gone (that's the likely top 4), I'd take a long look at Smart, but also seriously consider Gordon. 

If Danny really believes either Randle or Vonleh is the clear cut best player available at 5, he should take him regardless of the fact that we have a million power forwards.  But I'd rather come away with a player who projects as a high level starter at some other position (SG and SF seems to be the strength of this draft).

I'd hope we'd take Gordon in that situation, even with his shaky jumper he's the most NBA-ready player in this draft after Jabari. The kid can flat out defend, he's got a good handle and is a crafty passer, and he has tons of potential. A lot of people like to compare him to Griffin, but he reminds me a little more of bigger version Iguodala - athletic freak who loves to defend but isn't the most consistent offensive player. And about that jumper: it's not that bad. His form needs a work, but we happen to have Ron Adams on staff who is a terrific shooting coach. With Gordon's work ethic, I think you take the gamble. At the very least you have an elite wing defender who can finish strong in transition.

[PhoSita]

I rather buy a 2nd and draft Deandre Kane who is a similar player. Older with less upside but more polished and nba ready

I like Kane but if you've got, say, the 5th pick in the draft who're you going to snag instead of Smart? Randle?

With the 5th pick, assuming Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, and Exum are already gone (that's the likely top 4), I'd take a long look at Smart, but also seriously consider Gordon. 

If Danny really believes either Randle or Vonleh is the clear cut best player available at 5, he should take him regardless of the fact that we have a million power forwards.  But I'd rather come away with a player who projects as a high level starter at some other position (SG and SF seems to be the strength of this draft).

I'd hope we'd take Gordon in that situation, even with his shaky jumper he's the most NBA-ready player in this draft after Jabari. The kid can flat out defend, he's got a good handle and is a crafty passer, and he has tons of potential. A lot of people like to compare him to Griffin, but he reminds me a little more of bigger version Iguodala - athletic freak who loves to defend but isn't the most consistent offensive player. And about that jumper: it's not that bad. His form needs a work, but we happen to have Ron Adams on staff who is a terrific shooting coach. With Gordon's work ethic, I think you take the gamble. At the very least you have an elite wing defender who can finish strong in transition.

Yeah, I think of names like Iguodala, Kirilenko, Leonard, Battier, and Dallas-era Marion -- not great scorers by any means, but all really great individual and team defenders who do a lot to help their teams win.

That's my kind of small forward, by the way, if a truly elite scorer like Pierce or Durant isn't available.  Give me the elite glue guy.

[D.o.s.]

Is he a comparable passer to Iggy?

And why does no one ever talk about Iggy's passing?

[Tr1boy]

Is he a comparable passer to Iggy?

And why does no one ever talk about Iggy's passing?

He is a better passer than iggy. He is top three in passing for a sf in this upcoming draft. Anderson the best of course

He rarely forces up a bad shot and doesnt turn over the ball much also

[D.o.s.]

Is he a comparable passer to Iggy?

And why does no one ever talk about Iggy's passing?

He is a better passer than iggy. He is top three in passing for a sf in this upcoming draft. Anderson the best of course

He rarely forces up a bad shot and doesnt turn over the ball much also

You really think he's a better passer than Iggy? That's a bold, bold claim.

[PhoSita]

Is he a comparable passer to Iggy?

And why does no one ever talk about Iggy's passing?

That's a fair point -- Iggy is a capable point forward.  Can't really expect that of Gordon, though I think he's regarded as a smart passer.

[Tr1boy]

Is he a comparable passer to Iggy?

And why does no one ever talk about Iggy's passing?

He is a better passer than iggy. He is top three in passing for a sf in this upcoming draft. Anderson the best of course

He rarely forces up a bad shot and doesnt turn over the ball much also

You really think he's a better passer than Iggy? That's a bold, bold claim.

You seen Gordon play right? Iggy is good but also can be a little wild with his passing leading to unforced turnovers.