Ford's "Grade A" mock draft

[positivitize]

Doesn't have Luwawu in the first round. Silly.

[Tr1boy]

Doesn't have Luwawu in the first round. Silly.

exactly

[slamtheking]

Boston Celtics

Needs: PF, shooting

No. 3: Jamal Murray, PG, Kentucky
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia


I'm not sure the Celtics need three rookies, but GM Danny Ainge looks at everything as an asset and all three of these players bring something special to the table.

Murray may be the best pure scorer in the draft. His playmaking ability gives him versatility. He's not a great defender but he's tough and competitive.

You could make the argument for Chriss or Jaylen Brown here, too. Their upside is higher than Murray's, but Chriss doesn't really fit the Celtics' timetable and Brown's lack of shooting has me leaning Murray. I think Chriss might end up being the better player in time, and Brown has similar upside, though I'm not sure he'd get there in Boston.

Davis gives the Celtics a player who has similar athletic abilities to Chriss without the offensive versatility. Zubac is another upside pick who should be able to carve out a career in the NBA for the next decade. He's a skilled low post player -- something that's very hard to find these days.

Grade A Mock Draft
TEAM   PICK
1. 76ers   Ben Simmons
2. Lakers   Brandon Ingram
3. Celtics (via Nets)   Jamal Murray
4. Suns   Marquese Chriss
5. Timberwolves   Dragan Bender
6. Pelicans   Kris Dunn
7. Nuggets   Jaylen Brown
8. Kings   Buddy Hield
9. Raptors (via Knicks)   Henry Ellenson
10. Bucks   Furkan Korkmaz
11. Magic   Skal Labissiere
12. Jazz   Dejounte Murray
13. Suns (via Wizards)   Wade Baldwin IV
14. Bulls   Jakob Poeltl
15. Nuggets   Ante Zizic
16. Celtics   Deyonta Davis
17. Grizzlies   Domantas Sabonis
18. Pistons   Thon Maker
19. Nuggets   Tyler Ulis
20. Pacers   Malachi Richardson
21. Hawks   DeAndre Bembry
22. Hornets   Denzel Valentine
23. Celtics   Ivica Zubac
24. Sixers   Patrick McCaw
25. Clippers   Demetrius Jackson
26. Sixers   Malik Beasley
27. Raptors   Cheick Diallo
28. Suns   Juan Hernangomez
29. Spurs   Chinanu Onuaku
30. Warriors   Damian Jones

someone better hide Triboy's razors if Danny doesn't take Sabonis at 16 if he's available.

[chilidawg]

Nothing will surprise me in this draft.  I think it's a pretty good mock, with the exception of Luwawu, who I'd take at 16 if he's there.  Davis is a great pick up there as well.  Zubac at 23 makes sense too.

[slamtheking]

Nothing will surprise me in this draft.  I think it's a pretty good mock, with the exception of Luwawu, who I'd take at 16 if he's there.  Davis is a great pick up there as well.  Zubac at 23 makes sense too.

must be I'm blind but I don't see him picked in the first round

[PhoSita]

It's so silly to me when mock drafts pick players for the Celts on the basis that a younger or less polished guy "doesn't fit the Celts' timeline".

What time line?  The Celts aren't a contending team. The clock hasn't started yet. There is no window. The Celts need to take the guy with the best chance of becoming a very valuable two way player.

[CoachBo]

I can believe the Timberwolves would throw 5 away and leave Dunn on the table.

They've done it before.

[Eddie20]

Doesn't have Luwawu in the first round. Silly.

Ford seems to base his stuff on the chatter he hears. He does have Luwawau ranked #33 and this is what he had most recently on Luwawu.

Luwawu is generally considered an ideal 3-and-D prospect, though lately I've heard more and more teams come back a bit disappointed after scouting him overseas. He may be on the underrated-then-overrated curve right now.

This coincides with Steve Kyler's report

It’s believed that most of the notable international guys have promises in the first round including Ivica Zubac, Ante Zizic and Juan Hernangomez. Zizic may be the highest of the bunch. League sources said it’s unclear where Timothe Luwawu, Petr Cornelie and Zhou Qi will land in the first round, if they land there at all.

[max215]

Wrong Croatian, I'm hoping for Zizic with that 23rd pick.

This. Zizic is big, strong, and has been productive in the Adriatic league. Also, he just turned 19. Good value for 23.

And Zizic is the one Danny has shown interest in.

[Bobshot]

I would draft Bender or Chriss ahead of Murray at the 3, because they are close in ranking and the Celtics are weak up front.

The trade I would like to see: Celtics give the #3 and #16( or maybe #23) to Wolves for the #5 and Dieng.

Wolves would pick Bender or Chriss at 3, Suns Chriss or Bender at 4. Celtics get Murray at #5. They get their shooter at 5 plus a center, Dieng. Wolves get the 4 they want. I doubt somebody like Dieng will be available at #16 or #23.

Wolves are looking for a real 4 to go alongside Townes. Dieng is more a 5.