Poll: Who would you take right now with the #3 pick

[Celtics4ever]

Bender is a mistake waiting to happen.

This guy gets it, no production, in spite of all this alleged talent.  TP

I love how guys say he can move well but complete ignore his pathetic vertical.  I wonder how many of you have played sports at level higher than grade school, or high school if you think that is elite movement and athletic ability.  Or can spot a poor defense, that he should have scored on, instead of moving past his man and missing the shot.

[soulman]

Jaylen Brown or Buddy Hield. I like athletic players...

[Rosco917]

I think Hield is gonna be a good scorer in the NBA. Relentless worker, that shows character and desire, and he scores in many ways. The 6-4, 6-5 height doesn't scare me, AB is 6-2, All though, I wish both were 6-6.

I need to know more about Bender before I take him with the 3rd pick. Simply not enough playing time, or games were he showed a sign that he can take the game over, against quality talent. Maybe workouts will improve this picture, but he seems years away.

If we keep the pick, it's Buddy Hield for me.

[PhoSita]

Bender. Highest upside.

[hpantazo]

The one conclusion I can come to from reading about all of the prospects and seeing people's opinions is: there will definitely be at least one great player available at #3, possibly two. Which player(s) is up for debate, but there will be an all-star or two there at #3, and I'm confident that if we don't trade the pick, Ainge will grab the right player.

I'm going with Bender as the highest upside player with what we know so far, but I can easily see Heild, Murray, or Dunn being as good or better. Let's see how things shake out after workout reports start coming out.

[Celtics18]

Bender. Highest upside.

Not 100% sure about that, but I am convinced he has the lowest downside.  If we were to draft him, it would be exciting to see if he can ever come close to reaching that high ceiling.  I will admit, though, that the bustability factor scares me.

Hield, on the other hand, some of us are much more optimistic about his ceiling.  And everyone seems to agree that his floor is considerably higher.

[hpantazo]

Bender. Highest upside.

Not 100% sure about that, but I am convinced he has the lowest downside.  If we were to draft him, it would be exciting to see if he can ever come close to reaching that high ceiling.  I will admit, though, that the bustability factor scares me.

Hield, on the other hand, some of us are much more optimistic about his ceiling.  And everyone seems to agree that his floor is considerably higher.

That's where I disagree. Some people picture Bender's floor being Kwame Brown/Darko Milicic level, which I feel is totally inaccurate. His floor imo is Kelly Olynyk/Channing Frye, which is not bad at all, comparable to the floor of Heild or Murray, just not what you want for a #3 pick.

[KGs Knee]

Bender. Highest upside.

Not 100% sure about that, but I am convinced he has the lowest downside.  If we were to draft him, it would be exciting to see if he can ever come close to reaching that high ceiling.  I will admit, though, that the bustability factor scares me.

Hield, on the other hand, some of us are much more optimistic about his ceiling.  And everyone seems to agree that his floor is considerably higher.

I'm not sure what to think about Bender.  It seems scouts think he has an enormous upside, but yes, I agree it also seems he has the greatest chance of being a bust.  This could be in part due to the lack of info about him, though.

Hield, I do agree seems to have the highest floor.  My biggest issues is I don't think he has a high ceiling, and I think it's just as likely you can find someone else further back in the draft just as likely to reach his floor.

I'd much rather take the gamble at the top of the draft on the higher upside player.  You don't get as many chances at the top of the draft, whereas there will always be plenty of guys like Hield lower in the draft, you just have to identify them.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Bender. Highest upside.

Agreed. We don't have the luxury to do anything but swing for the fences with this pick. A McHale-equivalent GM is not available to change our franchise, it's a weak draft, and it's a weak year for FA.

[Smartacus]

5/21/2016: I chose Jamal Murray but ask me 2 days ago and I would have picked Bender. No idea where I'll be on draft night, I have less question marks about Murray but get more fired up about Bender. Personally think either would be an excellent pick.
 
Have no interest in Heild, Dunn, or Brown... but then even typing that statement feels like I could easily find myself eating those words down the road.

[Ilikesports17]

5/21/2016: I chose Jamal Murray but ask me 2 days ago and I would have picked Bender. No idea where I'll be on draft night, I have less question marks about Murray but get more fired up about Bender. Personally think either would be an excellent pick.
 
Have no interest in Heild, Dunn, or Brown... but then even typing that statement feels like I could easily find myself eating those words down the road.

I had a Murray fase about a week ago hahaha. Im sure ill have another one before draft night.

[Celtics18]

5/21/2016: I chose Jamal Murray but ask me 2 days ago and I would have picked Bender. No idea where I'll be on draft night, I have less question marks about Murray but get more fired up about Bender. Personally think either would be an excellent pick.
 
Have no interest in Heild, Dunn, or Brown... but then even typing that statement feels like I could easily find myself eating those words down the road.

This is why getting three is way more fun than picks one or two.  There'll be at least one really good to great player available when we pick.

Will Danny get the right guy?  Hopefully he's reading CelticsBlog for our expert opinions.

[Chris22]

Jaylen Brown - Strong, tough, talented, and he can play defense.
Kris Dunn - Lightening quick, good size for a point guard, and he can play defense.
Bender = Tyler Zeller

[LooseCannon]

Bender. Highest upside.

Not 100% sure about that, but I am convinced he has the lowest downside.  If we were to draft him, it would be exciting to see if he can ever come close to reaching that high ceiling.  I will admit, though, that the bustability factor scares me.

Hield, on the other hand, some of us are much more optimistic about his ceiling.  And everyone seems to agree that his floor is considerably higher.

I think Hield's ceiling is "better JJ Reddick" and his floor is shorter Doug McDermott/taller Jimmer Fredette.  Bender's floor is standard Euro-bust, but he's a unique talent who could be the sort to ignite a debate on whether he is a top ten player in the league or a product of the system, the way people discuss Draymond Green, if he hits his ceiling.  Stretch fours with defense are kind of rare, so maybe his ceiling can be described Serge Ibaka with better offense.

One thing I am adamant about is that this pick should be based on where the player is projected to be three or four years from now and not how much they instantly help the team as a rookie.

[PhoSita]

Bender. Highest upside.

Not 100% sure about that, but I am convinced he has the lowest downside.  If we were to draft him, it would be exciting to see if he can ever come close to reaching that high ceiling.  I will admit, though, that the bustability factor scares me.

Hield, on the other hand, some of us are much more optimistic about his ceiling.  And everyone seems to agree that his floor is considerably higher.

I actually think Hields floor is lower.

I used to be concerned about Benders floor, but the more I read up on him, I think he will at least be a useful role player at a position of talent scarcity.  The biggest question mark is if he can put on enough muscle to defend inside.  Also his brother has had a couple of ACL injuries so that concerns me a little bit as far as his potential for injury.

As for Hield, I think there's a solid chance he is nothing more than an off ball shooter at the NBA level.  A Meeks / CJ Miles / Marcus Thornton type.  He is by all accounts a hard worker, but that doesn't mean he will ever be a decent defender, ballhandler, or passer at the next level, which is the difference between a bench shooter and a starter.

There are lots and lots of bench shooter types at shooting guard in the league.  There are very few seven footers who can defend multiple positions, guard the pick and roll, and hit outside shots.  The bar for overall offensive ability is lower.  Just look at Channing Frye.