Staying at picks #16 and #27

[ThePoeticWolf]

I'm taking the position of we're not trading up in the draft.  So my question is, who do you think realistically should take at these picks?  I'm putting this out there as we resign Jae Crowder.  So on the Roster it'd be Smart, Thomas, Bradley, Crowder, Wallace, Olynyk, Sullinger, Turner, Zeller, Young, Pressey.  I'm going by what the contracts would be on the roster at this time.  Trades can be made after the draft for players to improve the roster, but looking at just the draft.

I'm telling you now my two picks are stretches on potential but think the upside is huge for both.  I'm taking stretches since I feel that there is only a handful of stars and we're not getting them at our picks. 

At pick #16, Montrezl Harrell.  He's an undersized power forward at only 6'8 but a wing span of 7'4 with the jumping ability and strength to play against power forwards and even centers.  Also having the speed to cover small forwards when needing to.  The biggest selling point to me is energy and drive to play basketball.  He played 35 minutes per game and it looked like he never took a second off while on the floor.  He has upside coming to be a good score, and is great at around the rim.  Comparisons have been drawn to Kenneth Faried, which is a player that has had buzz the Celtics could be interested in, but his high price tag is a draw back. 

At pick #27, Robert Upshaw.  I'll admit I didn't get to watch him play a lot, but the highlights have caught my attention.  Yes, huge question marks about his off the court issue, but I'm wondering with the right system he'd be fine.  It seems Stevens connects well with players and might be the coach to help him, even with the off the court issues.  We're in need of a legit big man that can rim protect.  He's got flaws in his game, but the upside I personally believe could be worth a risk at the #27 pick.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on who the Celtics should draft realistically at these picks.

[PhoSita]

Dekker at #16.

I don't like any of the likely picks at #28.  I really hope Ainge trades up at least high enough to snag one of the more athletic / versatile big men e.g. Portis, Harrell, or Looney.

If not, I guess I'd hope for Hunter or Upshaw to fall, but I don't feel much conviction about either guy as a prospect.

[Chief Macho]

Go defense with rhj at 16 and hope a rim protector falls to the late pick.

[ThePoeticWolf]

Go defense with rhj at 16 and hope a rim protector falls to the late pick.

I'm interested in your choice of RHJ at 16.  I didn't get to watch a lot of his game, but more intrigued by your pick. 

[Jferrari401]

For me Portis is a no brainer at 16. Kind of amazed he hasn't risen on draft boards. Seems like he is at least decent at all categories of the game and plays with tremendous energy. He sounds like the opposite of our current power forwards and a much better fit with our overall team identity. I've even heard his on court intensity compared to Garnett (which is ridiculous) but it at least gives a good idea of what type of guy he is.

Pick 27 is a lot more up in the air for me. Depends on who drops. I like Hunter, RHJ and Harrell but I doubt they will be available. Hunter is my favorite of those three and I wouldn't mind using our second rounders to trade up; this team could really use some more shooters. If we stay at 27 I think Justin Anderson and Dakari Johnson are our best bets. Both are pretty safe picks but I don't see any high upside player at the end of the draft that I really love. Upshaw doesn't seem like the type of risk that would pan out.

[jacigar]

If we stay as is. I think the following would be a list of possible players to get.
Player   School   Hometown   POS   H   W   WS   AGE   MPG   FG%   3p%   FT%   REB   A   STL   BLK   TO   PF
Portis   Ark   Little Rock   FC   6'11   246   7'2   20.2   29.9   53.6   46.7   73.7   8.9   1.2   1.1   1.4   1.6   2.2
H-Jefferson   Ariz   Chester Pa   SF   6'7   211   7'2   20.3   28.7   50.2   20.7   70.7   6.8   1.6   1.2   0.8   1.6   2.5
Wood   UNLV   Palmdale CA   FC   6'11   216   7'3   19.6   32.9   48.9   27.9   73.4   9.8   1.2   0.4   2.6   2.5   2.6
Christmas   Syr   St Croix VI   FC   6'10   243   7'5   23.4   34.3   55.3   x   71.2   9   1.5   0.9   2.5   2.5   3.4
Vezenkov   Euro   Cyprus   GF   6'8   200   ?   19.7   32.8   49.1   38.6   78.3   7.5   1.8   0.9   0.4   1.5   2.4
Connaughton   ND   Arlington Ma   SG   6'5   215   6'9   22.3   35.6   46.6   42.3   78.1   7.4   1.5   0.7   0.9   1.2   2
FA                                                   
Aldrich NYK   Kansas   Bloomington Mn   C   6'11   236   7'5   26.7                              
      2009/10 Kansas                  26.9   56.9   x   67.7   9.9   0.9   0.8   3.5   1.5   2.5
2010 R1 #11   Okl Cty   2014/15 NYK                  16   47.8   x   78.1   5.5   1.2   0.6   1.1   1   2
Portis should be solid NBA player H-Jefferson solid defender . Wood possibly develops into very good player. Christmas is just coming into his own after coming from Virgin Islands. Vezenkov is a very good shooter and is flying up mock drafts. Connaughton is Ma native from Arlington who is the buzz at the combine.We could get a future C (Christmas) FC Portis orWood,DEf F in H-jefferson  ,G/F in Vezenkov and SG in Connaughton. Check out Wingspans Blocks Reb on these guys. Almost all rim protectors and  defensive forwards have big wingspans.

[jay]

I could see Portis or Looney at 16.  Would like to trade 28 and one of the 2nd rounders.  Move up a few spots and get Justin Anderson in the low to mid 20s.

[Chris22]

When are we going to get some athletic bigs?

[hwangjini_1]

When are we going to get some athletic bigs?

when better draft picks are available to the team. its not as if ainge hates such players.

by the way, i thought the celtics had pick #28. was i mistaken?