Agreed with your theme but you understate the legitimacy of the Celtics selecting Gordon. He's an undersized tweener with great feel for the game, ballhandling/passing skills, can defend multiple positions including the modern game's most important one (SF), and yes, tantalizing athleticism. Wouldn't be disappointed to draft him.
What people fail to consider that Gordon doesn't actually offer anything that the Celtics need right now. We need scoring and we need rim protection, and Gordon offers neither. His most likely area to excel in the NBA is a a defensive SF, and we already have two of those in Jeff Green and Gerald Walace.
I have no doubt that Gordon has physical talent, and I'm absolutely certain he could offer a lot to an nba team that is in desperate need for perimeter defense, but woth Wallace, Green and Bradley thats the one thing Boston has no need for. Every other player projected im the top 8 at least has the ability to put points on the board, which the Celtics really need.
I also don't,think Gordon's trade value will be any higher than other guys in the 5-8 range so no benefit there either.
I actually think the pick is getting traded and WANT the pick to be traded so this is all pretty irrelevant to my wishes as a fan... But just for the sake of argument, the idea that a decent rim protector (Asik) will elevate the 13th ranked Cs to a top 5 defense on his own is unrealistic. Defense, especially considering the likelihood of the Cs dealing for Asik/Sanders/someone comparable, is not our most glaring need. But Gordon still offers a lot defensively that the Cs desire. He can defend the best 2 guard in the league as well as the best players at both forward positions. His athleticism provides framework for a devastating transition game. He has the intelligence to be a potential KG/LBJ/A. Davis level defensive anchor. We have Bradley to defend Harden, Green to body LBJ, and Bass/Sully/Olynyk to guard Blake/K. Love, but we don't have one player with the ability to switch on all three while orchestrating his teammates's defensive rotations (just as Ray's shooting, Wade's handling/penetration and Birdman's athleticism down low don't make LBJ obsolete on offense).
Offensively, as well, Gordon provides immediate upgrades in ballhandling, passing, rebounding and second chance points. He can easily develop a strong penetration game not only because of his athleticism but because of his existing basketball skillset. And most importantly from an upside standpoint, attendees of his workouts say he's already improved his jump shot thanks to strong work ethic.
I just disagree with the need-based perspective you're using to describe Gordon. He's a very unique player that could help the Cs in a lot of ways, just as Randle/Vonleh/Saric could provide something new and/or improved despite the fact that we already have Sully/KO/Bass/Green. The Wolves will be getting a fine prospect if they select Gordon at #6.
