Mitch Kupchak " I'm not sure the gap between#2 and #3 is as big as people think"

[KG Living Legend]

 He went on to say that we would have got a very good player at three and only time will tell.

 More evidence that it's not the two player draft everyone thinks it is. I think it's Simmons tier one.

 And Tier two is Murray, Ingram, Bender, Hield, Dunn, and Brown and I seriously doubt that Ingram is the best player out of that bunch, down the road.

 If you agree with that statement, then that's further proof that this talk of a two player draft is just stupid.

 Bender could easily be better than Ingram and I think Murray will be for sure. And BTW, when Mich was talking about what a great player they could get at #3 they were playing a video clip of Bender.

[alldaboston]

I think Ingram is still at least a semi-tier higher than the rest of those guys you listed in tier two. But this is good. Is Mitch upping the value of our pick for us? lol. Maybe they like bender a lot. I'd happily take Ingram at 3.

[SparzWizard]

I think Ingram is still at least a semi-tier higher than the rest of those guys you listed in tier two. But this is good. Is Mitch upping the value of our pick for us? lol. Maybe they like bender a lot. I'd happily take Ingram at 3.

They did skip Okafor for Russell, so hoping Lakers draft Bender and we take Ingram!

[jpotter33]

Man, I'm not seeing the point in him saying this, because it ultimately just devalues his pick by propping up the subsequent pick as nearly equal to his own. Perhaps he's thinking about trading down with us, and he's trying to temper people's perception that won't like that deal? That's the only thing that makes sense to me right now with him saying that. Even if he truly believes this, he wouldn't just say it to say it without an ulterior motive.

[KG Living Legend]

Man, I'm not seeing the point in him saying this, because it ultimately just devalues his pick by propping up the subsequent pick as nearly equal to his own. Perhaps he's thinking about trading down with us, and he's trying to temper people's perception that won't like that deal? That's the only thing that makes sense to me right now with him saying that. Even if he truly believes this, he wouldn't just say it to say it without an ulterior motive.

 So would you trade #3,#16 and #23 for #2 overall?

[Ogaju]

Man, I'm not seeing the point in him saying this, because it ultimately just devalues his pick by propping up the subsequent pick as nearly equal to his own. Perhaps he's thinking about trading down with us, and he's trying to temper people's perception that won't like that deal? That's the only thing that makes sense to me right now with him saying that. Even if he truly believes this, he wouldn't just say it to say it without an ulterior motive.

 So would you trade #3,#16 and #23 for #2 overall?

No I would not and the poster that said Kupchak has an ulterior motive is right, but I don think the Celtics should trade up unless it is to grab Simmons. If they cannot grab Simmons the Celtics should trade down to 4 to get Suns 4 and 13. If we trade with Lakers, I bet Lakers will send the #3 to Suns for 4 and 13, and they would still keep whatever we added to the 3 to get their #2. Don't trade with the Lakers.

[Boris Badenov]

Man, I'm not seeing the point in him saying this, because it ultimately just devalues his pick by propping up the subsequent pick as nearly equal to his own. Perhaps he's thinking about trading down with us, and he's trying to temper people's perception that won't like that deal? That's the only thing that makes sense to me right now with him saying that. Even if he truly believes this, he wouldn't just say it to say it without an ulterior motive.

I agree, it's a statement you make to set up for some kind of move.

It doesn't necessarily mean they're moving down or trading with us, though. It could be a setup for a Butler trade, for example - their way of saying "giving up Ingram isn't that big a loss."

[celticmania]

Murray is going to be better than Ingram but Ingram is the correct pick to make imo.

[chambers]

when did he say this? Can you post a link so we can understand context?
Cheers KG!

[knuckleballer]

Murray is going to be better than Ingram but Ingram is the correct pick to make imo.

How does that make sense?  Care to elaborate? 

[Sixth Man]

I think this was meant to indicate that he's finished setting up his stall and is now open for business.

[SHAQATTACK]

I think this was meant to indicate that he's finished setting up his stall and is now open for business.

Yup....he means to say I m not getting Simmons .  I have Randle ,  i need a more finished ready to go big , not a five year project like Bender .  The lakers need to be relevant SOON ......meaning with the huge cap space , he'll trade his pick for stars .

He take Bender in a deal that lands him a star in a trade . ....that's what he is say n ........you tell me who you want.

I don't think Lakers fans will wait for Bender to become the next Gasol.

[Smartacus]

Murray is going to be better than Ingram but Ingram is the correct pick to make imo.

How does that make sense?  Care to elaborate?

I think I agree with him, You just cant pass on a player with Ingram's measurements. He has the natural talent to be one of the top players in the league someday. What he lacks in my opinion is the mentality and muscle coordination that Murray possesses.

If I was to place a bet on their futures, I think Murray will be the better player but I'd still take Ingram based solely on the fact that at worst he'll be good Marvin Williams at best he'll be 85% of Durant. 85% of Durant is a franchise corner stone.

[Eddie20]

This begs the question...where would Bender be ranked if he were a high school senior and had constant exposure? I think we're very fortunate that he's remains somewhat of a mystery by not playing many minutes overseas. Not only is he 1 year younger than Simmons, but he's also 7-1 and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses like Simmons (outside shooting) or Ingram (weight) have.

[slightly biased bias fan]

This begs the question...where would Bender be ranked if he were a high school senior and had constant exposure? I think we're very fortunate that he's remains somewhat of a mystery by not playing many minutes overseas. Not only is he 1 year younger than Simmons, but he's also 7-1 and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses like Simmons (outside shooting) or Ingram (weight) have.

HAHA, I admit he looks promising but have you watched his game footage? Or even seen a photo of him? If you think Ingram has weight issues, Bender is a PF/C and he has problems with his shooting mechanics as stated here https://youtu.be/vhREj9q-UpM