If the Celtics stay put for the most part

[walker834]

Barring any major movement,  moving up or moving down dramatically or trading the pick for a veteran is it safe to say the Celtics are going to draft one of these players at this point?

Dunn
Hield
Murray
Bender
Brown
Chriss

Do you see anyone else making their way into consideration?  If Bender is truly dropping out of  favor, the rise of Chriss makes sense, although I'm not sure I'm buying we take him at 3 though.  He does become a part of that group.  There isn't a clear 3rd best player this draft anymore after Simmons and Ingram.  I think Dunn sort of becomes that.  But I don't think he necessarily fits us.  It would be more to trade the pick.  Does Ellenson or Poeltl or guys like Skal, Davis or Lawawu rise enough to get up that high? I've watched a fair amount of tape of the top 16 so far and I doubt it.  I think we might trade the pick.  There are some good players this draft but after the top 2 a lot of guys just kind of become part of that field.  They are all kind of equal.

Who is your choice out of this group and why?  Who else might come into consideration with our 1st pick?   I'm honestly still not that high on Murray.  I like most of these players but still hoping  Bender is greater than vs less than. Dunn or Hield are looking more like bpa to me. With Brown the same and Chriss rising.

If Bender is out, I haven't ruled him out yet, it would come down to Dunn, Hield, Brown or Chriss to me.  I hate ruling out players and scenarios, but just can't take Murray yet.  Not another combo guard.

[walker834]

None of these guys jump off the page like omg that's the guy is what I'm saying I guess.  There are some good players but this draft is pretty even all the way down.

Hield would definately help our shooting but we have a lot of guards as it is.  Brown is the athletic guy.  Chriss might be the most inherently talented but very young and has a lot of growth ahead of him.  Bender still has the biggest question marks whether he is a stud or just a fairly boring prospect at this point.

I honestly can't sit here and tell you that's the guy for this team though either way.

[NHCelticsFan]

If Danny feels like there is no clear cut number three then I could see him taking Brown.  Adds some depth behind Crowder, huge upside if he develops well under CBS, and fits Danny's love of gritty defensive players.  Wouldn't surprise me a bit if we drafted Brown at 3.

Personally I don't even know what to expect.  Danny and Brad see more than any of us and I have a feeling they are on the same page as to what is needed.

We won't have to wait much longer to find out.

[walker834]

Yeah 3 weeks.  I can only tell so much over the internet and watching tape lol. Sometimes players jump out at me.  I have a jist but just talking to people and hearing different viewpoints is good. 

If the Celtics take Ellenson I would be surprised.  I thought about it for a second and then watched him play again and I really didn't see anything that would change my mind.

We are basically deciding between a 6 player field and the Celtics might have narrowed even more than that at this point. But trade options etc.

I don't see Simmons or Ingram sliding either.  You never know but I doubt it.  That would make things more interesting.

[notthebowler]

To answer your first question, I can't see anyone outside of that group of six becoming the third pick.  Being less than 3 weeks out from the draft, I'd be shocked if it was someone else.

For me, there is a clear-cut #3 out of that pool.  I've been a huge fan of Jamal Murray for a while now, and I think he will be a fantastic player.  The icing on the cake about Murray is that his main strength is this team's biggest weakness.  I feel like within 2 years he would be the best player on this current roster.  Since we will be adding KD, he won't actually be our best player in 2 years, but he will be better than anyone we currently have.   

[walker834]

Murray has the best all around game right now as far as ballhanding and shooting mixed with talent.  Getting a guy that shot 41 percent 3 wouldn't hurt either.  We have so many guards though. Dunn is a super talented guy but more of an in between game.  He reminds me of a better version of Turner.

Hield can flat out shoot.  Brown is a supreme athlete but I question somewhat what his upside is.  Chriss is just as electrifying in ways but is even more raw.

That's basically what I've seen watching workouts.  I haven't seen anymore on Bender except just reading and seems like he is sliding a bit.

[notthebowler]

The thing about Chriss is that drafting a 4 who is a poor rebounder is a bit like drafting a 1 who is a poor ball handler.  Sure, it isn't the only responsibility he has, but it is a major responsibility, and he's terrible at it.

[Csfan1984]

Lab should be considered. He had a bad year. I think in workouts he and Murray are the best performers.

[walker834]

the draft changes a bit for me if Bender isn't as advertised.  I wish I was in those workouts, but teams seem to be souring on him.  We have KO.  Drafting a marginal upgrade at 3 doesn't make sense for us. 

[loco_91]

There are a lot of things that could happen. Simmons or Ingram could drop. Danny could take Poeltl or Davis, or even Korkmaz or Zizic. You never know.

[walker834]

Lab should be considered. He had a bad year. I think in workouts he and Murray are the best performers.

Skal is talented and probably should be up there.  His game is more developed.  Plus his body just looks nba like.

[jambr380]

the draft changes a bit for me if Bender isn't as advertised.  I wish I was in those workouts, but teams seem to be souring on him.  We have KO.  Drafting a marginal upgrade at 3 doesn't make sense for us.

Isn't Bender still over in Europe? I am not saying he is going to kill it in workouts, but other guys have now gotten a chance to interview and give teams an up close look at how they can/will perform. Once Bender starts doing the same, he may very well solidify himself as the consensus #3 [again].

I am definitely hoping we don't make the pick, though - unless Simmons/Ingram inexplicably drop.

[walker834]

I really like Bender in theory but it depends on what kind of player he is.  Is he a guy who is going to use his ability to get to the rim and hustle on defense and do all the little stuff?  I don't think he is the same player without those intangibles.  I can see him reestablishing himself but he may not.  Teams might not want to wait on him.

[dreamgreen]

It's so hard to say with what limited info we have. Right now I may be forced to take Murray or Hield because we need a shooter so badly. But I'm praying Ingram drops to us, after that I hope one of Bender or Chirss wows Danny.

[RedClaw33]

I clearly recognize that as fans we have a very limited view of these players....that being said I support whomever Danny select but am probably the most intrigued by Jaylen Brown.  I never like it when players are hyped who are just physically superior to their peers (Shabazz Muhammed) but after watching several interviews and a lot of clips I think Brown is more than that.  He doesn't have a great jumper but they way he maneuvers in the lane reminds me a little of J.Harden (not his jumper).  I like his intellect, versatility, athleticism and size on the wing. 

The more Butler talk I read on these threads the more I think Brown could be the same type of player. 

I just hope whomever we draft we give them time to develop.....Harden averaged 9pts as a rookie, Butler averaged 2.6 in his first year and 8 in his second.