what is your draft philosophy?

[slamtheking]

thought I'd put this poll together after seeing the usual volume of threads this season concerning what to do with the picks we have.  I've seen Danny crucified by those saying he needs to take the high risk/high reward players (KO over Giannis for example).  I've seen him also crucified for not taking the safe picks and taking any risks at all (cue the Fab Melo/James Young crowd).
 
Some people screaming to take upside at all costs -- high risk of bust means nothing because you need to swing for the fences with every pick in the hopes of landing the next superstar. 

Some screaming that you have to take the surest thing -- cannot afford to take a risky player that could bust.  Always take the surest thing available -- player with the lowest floor.

There also those that straddle that line -- their philosophy of what matters in a pick depends on where that pick lands in the draft.  Some, high picks offer a chance on high potential players so swing for the fences but if the pick is later, play it a bit safer to try to get someone who's at least rotation quality.  Others, play it safe with a top pick to avoid a bust but if the pick is later, take a chance on someone with upside.

Then there's another faction that says we shouldn't wait for draft picks to develop.  Let other teams develop them.  Picks should only be used to acquire established talent.  Trade for young players that have proven themselves or sign them as free agents. 

Also, do multiple picks change your philosophy on draft priorities?

So, where do you, the esteemed and knowledgeable Celticsblog family, land on this issue?   I'm curious to see if there's a preferred approach and which approach that is.

[Denis998]

I think it depends on where the pick is. Top 10 you got to go with the BPA regardless of position. Around the 12-18 range you take the player with the best all around game, the player that is not a gamble that has his strengths and weaknesses already cut out. 20-30 you take whats left.

[TheSundanceKid]

For me I think the biggest differentiator is the mental game. At the top the picks often choose themselves but once you get a little further down and there are several safer prospects and several higher upside ones I would look at their mentality. If those higher upside players have a fire inside them and a determination to work then I would take them but if they are more lackadaisical then I'm going for the sure thing.

That goes for the whole draft. In the 2nd round it may even matter more because the guys there are likely lacking some physical ability or skill level.

[BitterJim]

I think you mean "highest floor" in the second option, not "lowest floor"

[Csfan1984]

If I could get a good deal on a vet player I'm taking that all day. But I do like drafting based on upside overall. Lab I would still take top 6 is an example. That is a huge gamble but his upside is equal to Simmons IMO. I think when it comes to draft it's all about upside and character. You have to get a good young man that wants to work and be great. It doesn't always work well more often it fails horribly but we could use a star and team has $ for solid FAs anyways. Why not trade for a stud or go for a possible star?

[Evantime34]

I'm a guy who wants high upside. Since the C's have good depth they don't need to draft players to play immediately. Even if a player has bust potential, the chance that they can become the star we need makes the player an attractive pick.

However, the past few years we have struggled with shooting, shot creation and size. So I want us to draft the highest potential player who provides (or can provide in the future) shooting, or an athletic big.

[walker834]

None of the above.  I like upside though vs a safe pick.  I will draft what feels right though.  That's hard to explain but I'm not someone who buys into the hype so much.  I'll draft who i feel is the best player.  I'd also trade the pick if I feel I can do better that way. I'd basically do what I feel is best regardless.

[Who]

Upside. Especially with lottery picks. Early, mid and late lotto picks.

I am looking for star talent in the first half of the 1st round. Not role players.

Not interested in players with high floors low ceilings in early (1-15) part of the first round (eg Tyler Hansbrough, JJ Redick). I consider high floor low ceiling guys more so in the later half of the first round and in the second round.

I primarily look for role players from 25-45 range. I don't care about the 46-60 picks. Rarely find anyone in those picks. I'd often go with foreign picks there. Leave them in Europe and hope one of them develops enough to come over in the future sometime. Early to mid second rounders are good opportunities. There is still some talent there. I will go for upside over role player material in later picks if very confident in someone (eg D.Jordan, H.Whiteside, A.Johnson). Generally looking for prototypical size and above average athleticism. Someone with capacity to defend & rebound but raw in offense. Otherwise, it's generally role players in those late first rounders & second rounders.

[nickagneta]

Best player available.

Its really that simple.

[acieEarl]

Get player or players who can step in now or very soon to help us. Trade or draft NBA ready guys. Use 2nd rounder on gamble guys who may be steal later on down the line.

For the Cs I'd consider trading any of the picks. If we pick 4th and keep it, see if we can use ours and Dallas pick to move down. Use any of the 2nd rounders to make this happen too. We have 6 picks and maybe room for 3 guys? Gotta work some trades or draft a bunch of Euro that we can stash.

One thing for sure, Cs have a ton of options and Danny's going to need multiple people on the phone come draft time.

[GC003332]

I voted surest thing for the higher the draft picks.
Wonder what philosophy GM's of franchises who historically never attract Star free agents use.

[Eja117]

pick by pick decision. I didn't believe Darko had higher upside than D Wade and didn't believe he was safer either.

Sometimes I want to play it safe. Sometimes I want upside. 2nd round I want upside. A year where we want to compete and need help I might want safe. Rebuilding years I might want upside.

I'm not the hugest fan of concepts like upside and potential. I think they're sorta code words for "not good right now." 

[LooseCannon]

I generally believe in best player available instead of drafting for position.  In determining BPA, I prefer to avoid players with elite athleticism who lack intelligence and work ethic.  I prefer players with strong defensive instincts and raw offense to skilled shooters or scorers who lack defense.  In looking for someone who is a hard worker, I want someone who will put in the effort for off-court work such as film studies and not just a gym rat.

[fairweatherfan]

I wait until the picks have been made and careers are underway and then act like I knew better all along.  Batting a thousand so far!

[CFAN38]

I would go the the BPA in the tier and focus on upside and positional size