Dear Danny Ainge: impress the league with picks 16 and 23.

[wiley]

Focus for a minute on the less exciting action down lower in the draft.  After all, it's a deep draft, so it's a better year than usual for a GM to try and impress his peers with late round picks.  Let's not have the Spurs and Nuggets continue with late draft heroics.  Let's help Danny get his late draft kudos.

Of course some of these picks could disappear into trades, but they may not due to this year's stash option along with the Celts having some needs up front and the aforementioned depth of this draft.

So, forget trades for a moment and put some serious thought into pick 16 and 23.  Then briefly state why you think those picks make sense as a set.  Then pretend you are a peer group of GM's privately rating the draft of other GM's.  So 1 stinks and 10 is the best.  Give your own rating for your picks (I'll give mine an 8 or something) and then watch other posters give you a 2 or 3 or maybe a zilch. 

Okay my 2 guys:

16.  Malik Beasley
23.  Brice Johnson

Rating:  8 
Reasons: Beasley is a great future asset.  2-way player.  Efficient.  Young.  Intangibles.  Fits
               need. Doesn't create a logjam as his first year will be pretty low key.  I believe the Celts will 
               have to sacrifice some wing defense to improve their bigs.  And then we'll need a
               replacement or two when the time is right.  This pick is about BPA for the future.
               Brice Johnson is an efficient player who will thrive under Stevens.  Can help this year.
                Will get stronger over time.

(my replacement if Johnson is not there would be Taurean Prince.  Would hope he'd drop but doubtful. Went with the others due to Beasley's upside, and then with Brice it was team need).   
Next two picks are big men stash prospects.  To really upgrade the bigs situation for next year we need to either Trade, sign someone, or both.  So stash Zhou Qi or Zubac or Yabusele with the later picks, or maybe Stone will drop, etc...but use 16 and 23 on more classic NBA types for now and future.

[jpotter33]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

[action781]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

I too would like to see Danny trade picks #16 and #23 for #12 if Utah takes that.  There's an outside shot that one of Labissiere or any of "top 8" of simmons, ingram, hield, dunn, bender, brown, murray, or chriss are available at #12 which would be an enormous coup for us.  It's unlikely, but crazy things have happened.  Worst case we still get our choice of whomever is available at #12 (heck I'll take bite early and take Thon Maker or Valentine here) and we don't have enough roster space for all these picks anyways.  It's all worth the potential reward of being in position to nab a possible slider.

[Beat LA]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

[jpotter33]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

They're supposedly pretty interested in it because according to most draft people after the top-8 or so, there's not much separation in talent the rest of the round. Since Utah can't really rely on free agency, they're wanting to move down and pick up more assets that could turn into quality rotation players.

[action781]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

From the Salt Lake Tribune:  http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4024027-155/utah-jazz-entertain-the-possibility-of

Utah Jazz entertain the possibility of trading down in NBA draft

There are multiple prospects in the No. 12 range the Jazz haven't been able to get in for a workout. People such as Kentucky's Skal Labissiere. People such as Utah's Jakob Poeltl. People such as Florida State's Malik Beasley, and Furkan Korkmaz, the athletic shooting guard out of Turkey.

Instead, the Jazz have brought in prospects headed for the edge of the lottery, at best. People such as Malachi Richardson from Syracuse and Washington's Dejounte Murray. So, if the Jazz are seriously thinking about trading down, they have plenty of insight and data to do so.

As of Sunday, reports have surfaced about multiple teams trying to trade into the first round, or trying to trade higher into the first round. So, if the Jazz want to trade down, they will certainly have the opportunity to do so.

The question lies in motivation, and benefit. Teams such as the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets have multiple picks in the teens and 20s. The biggest needs for the Jazz are to add depth and shooting to a roster that is stocked with young talent through the first seven or eight guys in the rotation.

So it isn't difficult to imagine the Jazz trading No. 12 to move down and garner one more first round talent, if they could. Acquiring that needed depth in free agency seems to be a logical way to go, since the Jazz have tons of money in cap space.

However, free agency isn't a guarantee. With the cap expected to rise higher than ever, most teams in the league will have a significant amount of money to spend. And with Utah's reputation as typically an undesirable free agent destination, that isn't a route that can be 100 percent counted on.

So Utah could look to provide itself a bit of insurance by trading down. And in a deep draft, the Jazz could still come away with good talent. They have worked out several intriguing players who fit this bill. Murray and Richardson were two of the best, but their collective stocks have risen of late. The prevailing theory for Richardson — a combination guard — is he doesn't get past the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 17.

The Jazz have taken a good look at people such as Thon Maker from Canada and Denzel Valentine, the versatile wing out of Michigan State. Both players seem to be attainable later in the first round.

That's really sad that Utah Jazz can't get University of Utah players to workout for them right around their projected draft spot, huh?

[Beat LA]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

From the Salt Lake Tribune:  http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4024027-155/utah-jazz-entertain-the-possibility-of

Utah Jazz entertain the possibility of trading down in NBA draft

There are multiple prospects in the No. 12 range the Jazz haven't been able to get in for a workout. People such as Kentucky's Skal Labissiere. People such as Utah's Jakob Poeltl. People such as Florida State's Malik Beasley, and Furkan Korkmaz, the athletic shooting guard out of Turkey.

Instead, the Jazz have brought in prospects headed for the edge of the lottery, at best. People such as Malachi Richardson from Syracuse and Washington's Dejounte Murray. So, if the Jazz are seriously thinking about trading down, they have plenty of insight and data to do so.

As of Sunday, reports have surfaced about multiple teams trying to trade into the first round, or trying to trade higher into the first round. So, if the Jazz want to trade down, they will certainly have the opportunity to do so.

The question lies in motivation, and benefit. Teams such as the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets have multiple picks in the teens and 20s. The biggest needs for the Jazz are to add depth and shooting to a roster that is stocked with young talent through the first seven or eight guys in the rotation.

So it isn't difficult to imagine the Jazz trading No. 12 to move down and garner one more first round talent, if they could. Acquiring that needed depth in free agency seems to be a logical way to go, since the Jazz have tons of money in cap space.

However, free agency isn't a guarantee. With the cap expected to rise higher than ever, most teams in the league will have a significant amount of money to spend. And with Utah's reputation as typically an undesirable free agent destination, that isn't a route that can be 100 percent counted on.

So Utah could look to provide itself a bit of insurance by trading down. And in a deep draft, the Jazz could still come away with good talent. They have worked out several intriguing players who fit this bill. Murray and Richardson were two of the best, but their collective stocks have risen of late. The prevailing theory for Richardson — a combination guard — is he doesn't get past the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 17.

The Jazz have taken a good look at people such as Thon Maker from Canada and Denzel Valentine, the versatile wing out of Michigan State. Both players seem to be attainable later in the first round.

That's really sad that Utah Jazz can't get University of Utah players to workout for them right around their projected draft spot, huh?

TP for the info - thanks . And yeah, that is sad.

[Beat LA]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

They're supposedly pretty interested in it because according to most draft people after the top-8 or so, there's not much separation in talent the rest of the round. Since Utah can't really rely on free agency, they're wanting to move down and pick up more assets that could turn into quality rotation players.

I'd think that Denver would be the better option for them, myself, even if the Nuggets' second first round pick is only one spot in front of ours, as well as their third being 4 spots in front of ours at 23, but we'll see.  I have no opinion on Bender, but if Denver takes him it's not exactly going to make me feel all warm and fuzzy, lol . At least they have scouts who know what they're doing.  Sigh.

[wiley]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

Normal draft they wouldn't.  Look at last year.  No way you can trade 16 and 23 for 12.  But this year, you could.  Who excites at #12?  Skal might excite if peeps turn out wrong and he can be the next Miles Turner...But who else?  Seems a good chance that the Zizics and Zubacs of the world will turn out as good as the guys going around 12 (don't expect any of the top 8 to drop to 12....

Okay still waiting for people to identify the next Parsons, Butler, Parker and IT.  Come on you know they are out there. OR:  simplify identify some SOUND picks at 16 and 23 (despite the lack of sexiness). 

Edit:  for me trading down means worse draft picks and up means better...I see you use up and down the opposite from me. 

[mmmmm]

Can't see us using both of them. I'm guessing we try to move up with Utah at 12 or so using those and some second rounders. Utah is supposedly really trying to trade down for more picks.

That being said, I say swing for the fences in those picks as much as you can. Whoever has the highest ceiling possible, which I don't know who that would be.

Why would Utah do that, though?  To me, you can only trade down in the NBA draft.

From the Salt Lake Tribune:  http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4024027-155/utah-jazz-entertain-the-possibility-of

Utah Jazz entertain the possibility of trading down in NBA draft

There are multiple prospects in the No. 12 range the Jazz haven't been able to get in for a workout. People such as Kentucky's Skal Labissiere. People such as Utah's Jakob Poeltl. People such as Florida State's Malik Beasley, and Furkan Korkmaz, the athletic shooting guard out of Turkey.

Instead, the Jazz have brought in prospects headed for the edge of the lottery, at best. People such as Malachi Richardson from Syracuse and Washington's Dejounte Murray. So, if the Jazz are seriously thinking about trading down, they have plenty of insight and data to do so.

As of Sunday, reports have surfaced about multiple teams trying to trade into the first round, or trying to trade higher into the first round. So, if the Jazz want to trade down, they will certainly have the opportunity to do so.

The question lies in motivation, and benefit. Teams such as the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets have multiple picks in the teens and 20s. The biggest needs for the Jazz are to add depth and shooting to a roster that is stocked with young talent through the first seven or eight guys in the rotation.

So it isn't difficult to imagine the Jazz trading No. 12 to move down and garner one more first round talent, if they could. Acquiring that needed depth in free agency seems to be a logical way to go, since the Jazz have tons of money in cap space.

However, free agency isn't a guarantee. With the cap expected to rise higher than ever, most teams in the league will have a significant amount of money to spend. And with Utah's reputation as typically an undesirable free agent destination, that isn't a route that can be 100 percent counted on.

So Utah could look to provide itself a bit of insurance by trading down. And in a deep draft, the Jazz could still come away with good talent. They have worked out several intriguing players who fit this bill. Murray and Richardson were two of the best, but their collective stocks have risen of late. The prevailing theory for Richardson — a combination guard — is he doesn't get past the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 17.

The Jazz have taken a good look at people such as Thon Maker from Canada and Denzel Valentine, the versatile wing out of Michigan State. Both players seem to be attainable later in the first round.

That's really sad that Utah Jazz can't get University of Utah players to workout for them right around their projected draft spot, huh?

Yeah, but if you are Jacob Poeltl's agent, you don't want him going to get stuck on the bench behind a young stud center like Gobert.

[loco_91]

I would like Brice at #23. Don't understand why he doesn't get any love as a potential lottery pick in a world where Hield might go top 5. At 16 I think there will be a juicy slider, one out of Korkmaz, Baldwin, Luwawu and Davis.

[Rosco917]

I would like Brice at #23. Don't understand why he doesn't get any love as a potential lottery pick in a world where Hield might go top 5. At 16 I think there will be a juicy slider, one out of Korkmaz, Baldwin, Luwawu and Davis.

Agree, in reference Brice Johnson. Other than being a senior, he has a lot of positives going or him. He's made for the current NBA as a prototype PF.
Just because a kid stays in college, doesn't guarantee he doesn't have upside remaining. Character counts too.

[Csfan1984]

I'm hoping for Lab and Zubac.

[CoachBo]

Trade them to Cleveland with Bradley for Love.