Chad Ford Mock Draft 11 (6/4): Celtics select Marcus Smart

[Spilling Green Dye]

I was listening to the Collin Cowheard show and he went over Chad Ford's mock draft that was published about 1 hour ago.  Here's a link to those with Insider: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=11&source=Chad-Ford-Big-Board

He has:
1)  Wiggins
2)  Embiid
3)  Parker
4)  Exum
5)  Vonleh
6)  Smart
7)  Randle
8  Gordon
9) Saric

We've discussed Chad Ford as a resource and have established that while he's not really a talent evaluator, he is well connected to GM's and their staff.  How much stock do you put in this?  Me personally, not too much, but I do find it interesting that there have been numerous reports that the Celtics are very high on Smart.

Also, if we draft Smart does this necessarily mean that a Rondo trade is in the works?  Could it be that a Rondo + Sullinger + first round pick for Love to pair Love with Smart?  Unlikely, but ya never know.

[Lucky17]

I was listening to the Collin Cowheard show and he went over Chad Ford's mock draft that was published about 1 hour ago.  Here's a link to those with Insider: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=11&source=Chad-Ford-Big-Board

He has:
1)  Wiggins
2)  Embiid
3)  Parker
4)  Exum
5)  Vonleh
6)  Smart
7)  Randle
8  Gordon
9) Saric

We've discussed Chad Ford as a resource and have established that while he's not really a talent evaluator, he is well connected to GM's and their staff.  How much stock do you put in this?  Me personally, not too much, but I do find it interesting that there have been numerous reports that the Celtics are very high on Smart.

Also, if we draft Smart does this necessarily mean that a Rondo trade is in the works?  Could it be that a Rondo + Sullinger + first round pick for Love to pair Love with Smart?  Unlikely, but ya never know.

I don't think drafting Smart means there's anything necessarily going on with Rondo or Bradley. You need a rotation of at least three guards in the NBA, and Smart could play alongside either.

[Evantime34]

I was listening to the Collin Cowheard show and he went over Chad Ford's mock draft that was published about 1 hour ago.  Here's a link to those with Insider: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=11&source=Chad-Ford-Big-Board

He has:
1)  Wiggins
2)  Embiid
3)  Parker
4)  Exum
5)  Vonleh
6)  Smart
7)  Randle
8  Gordon
9) Saric

We've discussed Chad Ford as a resource and have established that while he's not really a talent evaluator, he is well connected to GM's and their staff.  How much stock do you put in this?  Me personally, not too much, but I do find it interesting that there have been numerous reports that the Celtics are very high on Smart.

Also, if we draft Smart does this necessarily mean that a Rondo trade is in the works?  Could it be that a Rondo + Sullinger + first round pick for Love to pair Love with Smart?  Unlikely, but ya never know.

If anyone has insider i'm curious as to who he has us selecting at 17.

I would be fine with Smart or Gordon at 6 if we stay there

[Spilling Green Dye]

I'm curious about 17 too.  Unfortunately I don't have Insider, I was just going off of what Cowheard was reading on the radio.

[Fafnir]

I'm curious about 17 too.  Unfortunately I don't have Insider, I was just going off of what Cowheard was reading on the radio.

17 is Payne:

Payne has finally recovered from his bout with mono and is scheduled to begin workouts this week, starting in L.A. He's a unique prospect because he's poised to help a team right now, but many scouts believe he still has upside because he's been late bloomer. For teams looking for a stretch 4, Payne is probably the second-best option after Vonleh. He's getting looks as high as the Lakers at No. 7. The Wolves at No. 13 and the Bulls at No. 16 also look like really good options. It's hard to see him slipping past the Bulls' second first-round pick at No. 19.

[Kane3387]

This is a big board.

Not a mock draft.

[Evantime34]

I'm curious about 17 too.  Unfortunately I don't have Insider, I was just going off of what Cowheard was reading on the radio.

17 is Payne:

Payne has finally recovered from his bout with mono and is scheduled to begin workouts this week, starting in L.A. He's a unique prospect because he's poised to help a team right now, but many scouts believe he still has upside because he's been late bloomer. For teams looking for a stretch 4, Payne is probably the second-best option after Vonleh. He's getting looks as high as the Lakers at No. 7. The Wolves at No. 13 and the Bulls at No. 16 also look like really good options. It's hard to see him slipping past the Bulls' second first-round pick at No. 19.

I'm a fan, I think he can immediately help us on defense in the pick and roll, block shots hit jumpers and crash the boards. I'm not sure if we need another 4, but I really like Payne.

[D.o.s.]

Pictured: A Big Board

[The One]

I was listening to the Collin Cowheard show and he went over Chad Ford's mock draft that was published about 1 hour ago.  Here's a link to those with Insider: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/mock/?season=2014&version=11&source=Chad-Ford-Big-Board

He has:
1)  Wiggins
2)  Embiid
3)  Parker
4)  Exum
5)  Vonleh
6)  Smart
7)  Randle
8  Gordon
9) Saric

We've discussed Chad Ford as a resource and have established that while he's not really a talent evaluator, he is well connected to GM's and their staff.  How much stock do you put in this?  Me personally, not too much, but I do find it interesting that there have been numerous reports that the Celtics are very high on Smart.

Also, if we draft Smart does this necessarily mean that a Rondo trade is in the works?  Could it be that a Rondo + Sullinger + first round pick for Love to pair Love with Smart?  Unlikely, but ya never know.

Not a mock draft...it's a Big Board.

Big difference.

[footey]

He is not saying the Celtics draft him at 6; saying Smart is the consensus 6th best player in the draft among GMs. 

[Kevin OConnor]

lol...

[NorthernLightning]

Here's Smart's college coach talking about how he might fit with Brad Stevens. It sounds like Smart had some personal/family issues he was coping with when he pushed that fan. I hadn't heard that before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jph78JK2wXI

[hpantazo]

Here's Smart's college coach talking about how he might fit with Brad Stevens. It sounds like Smart had some personal/family issues he was coping with when he pushed that fan. I hadn't heard that before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jph78JK2wXI

regardless, that fan deserved to be pushed

[JSD]

Two guards that can't shoot in our starting lineup...

[colincb]

Ford's mock draft is stale (5/21).  He had us taking Gordon at 6 and Hairston at 17. I don't think anything will change at 6 because he still thinks Danny likes Gordon at #6 as of Wedsnesday's chat (6/4).

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/50703/nba-insider-chad-ford,

I'd be surprised if Hairston's still at 17 as there have been several players moving up. Warren, Porzingis, Payton, and Nurkic are now ahead of Hairston on the Big Board.


===
Also said this about Danny during that chat:

Q:Can you give an inside look as to what's going on in Celtics GM Danny Ainge's head? It seems he always uses smokescreens before the draft and it's hard to get a read on what he's really planning.

A: Not sure anyone gets in Danny Ainge's head. And while Danny has told his fair share of tall tales this time of year, I think people are overthinking this. Danny Ainge is an opportunist. He's looking for the best deal. If he can package his assets and get an elite veteran to pair with Rondo, I think he would do it. If he can trade Rondo and get a valuable asset, I think he'd do it. However, he's not going to give away valuable assets and get a lesser asset in return which means if he can't find the right deal, he'll make these draft picks and then see what value they have after the draft. Obviously Ainge wants the Celtics to be back in the hunt for a championship, but he's not going to make a bad deal -- rarely does. So what is he planning? To make a good deal and he (and you and I) probably won't know what the best deal is to be had until draft night.

IOW:

A) Forget the nonsense about Danny being locked in on anyone.  Not only is he an opportunist, he's the king of Liar's Poker.

B) Don't start celebrating the trade of Rondo for SAC's 8th pick and a draft bust (as well as the 17th or a future first according to one zealot here willing to use the nuclear option). Ford also claimed recently that everyone between 5-9 is looking to trade for vet players.  Pick #8 can't be that valuable a pick when everyone's selling in the same neighborhood.