was rozier drafted just in case

[rollie mass]

danny likes to keep options open and to get" the star",maybe marcus has to be included in a package or avery or even thomas-don't like this train of thought
prove me wrong rozier but i liked justin anderson

[Smartacus]

Definitely think that's why we drafted Rozier. One of either Bradley or Smart is bound to be included in our next big move and Terry Rozier is about as good a replacement as you could find for either of them.

Team can upgrade the talent and retain most of its identity. Great roster construction IMO.

[Vermont Green]

I think this I over analysis.  I think Rozier was drafted because our GM thought he was the best player to take.  The added flexibility to makes trades I am sure was one aspect of the consideration but not the reason for the pick.   Based on summer league play, I would say Danny knew a whole lot more about Rozier than I did.  He looks to be a decent player.  Probably a good pick no matter what goes down in trades.  I would hope Danny didn't use a first round pick to take a guy "just in case" he wants to trade another player maybe.

[Denis998]

Terry was picked around the same pick Young was. I think at that range he isn't afraid to take a risk on a high talent player. I think he was drafted because there might be a remote chance he turns into a Lilard type player.

[loco_91]

No, I think Rozier was drafted because they think he has some star potential, and he fits the mold of players that Ainge likes to draft, especially with his work ethic and motor.

[rollie mass]

the celts had more need at wing and justin anderson fit the criteria he could have stepped into rotation in a short time-how many discussions have started with smart or bradley by other gm's

[chambers]

the celts had more need at wing and justin anderson fit the criteria he could have stepped into rotation in a short time-how many discussions have started with smart or bradley by other gm's

Ultimately Rollie, I think it comes down to Ainge's reputation for taking some big swings with draft picks when given the opportunity.
Justin Anderson might be a better player now or contribute more in his first 2 years, but I think Rozier has a glimmer of All Star potential.
He's got a very complete game, elite athleticism and the even rarer trait of combining those attributes with hard work and true desire.

The Mavs want to win now and that may be why they took Anderson, but Rozier's ceiling is much higher in my opinion. There's something incredibly similar between Rozier's game and John Wall to me.

[slamtheking]

on draft night, I would have agreed Rozier was taken to replace Smart who may have been part of a projected trade during the summer. 

After summer league, I'm thinking he's looking more like the guy who's going to be starting in the backcourt with Smart in 2 years and AB will be the guy shipped out for a key player. 

[littleteapot]

No, I think he was drafted because Danny thought he was the BPA and Danny will probably trade half this roster if he ever gets a good opportunity to trade for a star. He just wants the best trade asset. He could keep Smart, trade Thomas and play Rozier off the bench, start Smart and Rozier together and trade Bradley, trade Smart etc. We didn't really hurt our flexibility. I don't really agree with the pick still because I don't think Rozier was the BPA. Regardless we know that even when 6ft tall guys become pretty good they still aren't good trade assets which is why we can't get rid of any of them for a profit.

[manl_lui]

Terry was picked around the same pick Young was. I think at that range he isn't afraid to take a risk on a high talent player. I think he was drafted because there might be a remote chance he turns into a Lilard type player.

this is my guess as well, from what i've read and seen, kid is SUPER quick...he may be a more talented player at that pick compare tow hen we chose Young

as for Bradley/Smart's future, I hope it's more Bradley that is packaged and not Smart, but this part is just my opinion, cuz I'm a big fan of Smart now

[Who]

Rozier was drafted so that Ainge could trade Isaiah Thomas further down the road.

[JBcat]

Rozier was drafted so that Ainge could trade Isaiah Thomas further down the road.

Could be, but Thomas is the win now type of player and Ainge has liked him for a while risking valuable draft position trading for him last year.

However if we don't become legit contenders in the next year or 2 I could see Ainge trading Thomas when Rozier is more ready.

[fairweatherfan]

Rozier was drafted so that Ainge could trade Isaiah Thomas further down the road.

Could be, but Thomas is the win now type of player and Ainge has liked him for a while risking valuable draft position trading for him last year.

However if we don't become legit contenders in the next year or 2 I could see Ainge trading Thomas when Rozier is more ready.

Thomas is a good but not great player on a great contract.  He's one of the few guys we have who'd make a very useful piece in acquiring a great player.  I'm sure we'd be happy to keep him if we can but realistically he's more likely to be shipped off if we have a chance to make the big deal we're angling toward.

[Denis998]

Can Rozier play the 2 in the NBA? Terry is the same height as AB, and he plays well at the 2. Terry can bring the same defensive intensity as AB, but also will have a superior offensive game to AB. Can we think of him being the future 2-guard, rather than the back up to the back up PG?

Starting lineup:
Smart
Rozier
Crowder
Lee
Johnson

[PhoSita]

Rozier was drafted so that Ainge could trade Isaiah Thomas further down the road.

I don't really think this is how Ainge drafts.


I think Rozier was taken because Ainge went through his first, second, and third options -- trading up to the top of the draft (Okafor), trading into the top 10 (Winslow), trading a few spots up to take a wing with upside (Oubre) -- and found himself sitting at #16 despite his best efforts. 

At that spot, he went with the type of player he felt most confident projecting to the NBA: a shooting-deficient, defense-first combo guard.  In short, a prototypical Ainge pick.

In that situation, left with a selection of less than ideal options, the "best player available" was the one he felt most comfortable betting on to making it as a role player at the NBA level.