The 2017 BRK Pick Will Be A PG ... and That's OK

[PhoSita]

Fultz, Ball, Smith, Ntilikina, Monk ...

Dollars to donuts, the 2017 BRK pick is going to be a point guard.

Unless the Celts can find a trade for a superstar (i.e. Butler, George, Cousins) that involves the pick, they're gonna have an elite point guard prospect behind Isaiah Thomas.

. . . and that's fine.

Since 2000, the highest WS total for a rookie point guard was Chris Paul in 06-07.  He was by far the outlier.  The next closest was Damian Lillard with 5.8, and he played zero defense.

Isaiah Thomas had 9.7 WS in his first full season as a Celtics starter, and he's currently on track for 12-13.

Unless the Celts don't care about winning next year, starting a rookie point guard isn't a great idea.

Point guards take a while to develop.  There is nothing wrong with playing an elite guard prospect 20-24 mpg for a few years while the team figures out what sort of player they can become. 


It will mean, however, that either Smart or Bradley will need to go.  That might be difficult, but it may help the Celts address the weakness in the frontcourt.

[MattyIce]

2017

[KG Living Legend]

 Yeah you might wanna change thread title to 2017. In 2018 we will be drafting a big hopefully Ayton.

[PhoSita]

Ah yes, quite right. 2017.

[KG Living Legend]

Ah yes, quite right. 2017.

 It's all good..

[mr. dee]

If all of IT, Smart, AB, Rozier and Jackson are still on the team if they draft a PG in June, it will only cause chemistry and locker room problems. Chemistry because, you're just adding more options for Brad to play small ball. Locker room because it will cause tight competition for playing time.

You want a trade because, you want a better value and fit for a team right now. Trading guys like Bradley, because of roster crunch could spell disaster. Not only you lose value for a valuable player, it will also create new glaring hole for the team. Neither Jackson or Rozier are ready to take his mantle. I doubt Ball,Fultz or Smith will play more than 20 minutes in their rookie season, nor they can replace Bradley's production so easily.

AB's concern is only his durability. If Danny feels he's not healthy enough, he'd be ship for a need.

[jpotter33]

Fultz, Ball, Smith, Ntilikina, Monk ...

Dollars to donuts, the 2017 BRK pick is going to be a point guard.

Unless the Celts can find a trade for a superstar (i.e. Butler, George, Cousins) that involves the pick, they're gonna have an elite point guard prospect behind Isaiah Thomas.

. . . and that's fine.

Since 2000, the highest WS total for a rookie point guard was Chris Paul in 06-07.  He was by far the outlier.  The next closest was Damian Lillard with 5.8, and he played zero defense.

Isaiah Thomas had 9.7 WS in his first full season as a Celtics starter, and he's currently on track for 12-13.

Unless the Celts don't care about winning next year, starting a rookie point guard isn't a great idea.

Point guards take a while to develop.  There is nothing wrong with playing an elite guard prospect 20-24 mpg for a few years while the team figures out what sort of player they can become. 


It will mean, however, that either Smart or Bradley will need to go.  That might be difficult, but it may help the Celts address the weakness in the frontcourt.

Yeah, I've come around to the idea of doing a Smart (plus filler if needed - Clippers pick?) trade for Noel, purely because we're going to have to end up trading one of them eventually anyways, let alone us most likely picking a point guard in this year's draft. And with the Smart/IT pairing looking to be a less-than-desirable pairing, he seems to be the most obvious solution to move due to him having to play the primary ballhandler spot due to his terrible shooting.

And though he's not a perfect fit in Philly, he'd immediately be their best guard, and he'd dramatically help their perimeter D, which could make them a top-level defense when combined with Embiid. I also fail to see Philly getting anything more valuable than that for Noel given the context of his contract status and their logjam.

Ideally, we'd move him for Noel and then pick up Fultz this summer. I have a feeling that Fultz will end up working excellently with AB as a fierce two-way pairing, and that will give us plenty of options moving forward into the summer of 2018 with several free agents and a young core of Fultz, Brown, Noel, and the 2018 Brooklyn pick.

[Rosco917]

Draft Ball or Fultz, and prepare IT to except becoming a super 6th man. (Imagine IT coming off the bench against the oppositions bench players)

If either of these young point guards are average defenders, the C's will be an improved defensive team, by nature of their size. Game pace will certainly pick up, both push the ball, open men will be found, both score well.

Sign or even trade for Noel.

Aquire a free agent that can score the ball, either a PF or SF. (Hopefully Brown is that guy.)

I realize you've taken a step back, but there is the potential to take two steps forward. 

[A Future of Stevens]

Fultz, Ball, Smith, Ntilikina, Monk ...

Dollars to donuts, the 2017 BRK pick is going to be a point guard.

Unless the Celts can find a trade for a superstar (i.e. Butler, George, Cousins) that involves the pick, they're gonna have an elite point guard prospect behind Isaiah Thomas.

. . . and that's fine.

Since 2000, the highest WS total for a rookie point guard was Chris Paul in 06-07.  He was by far the outlier.  The next closest was Damian Lillard with 5.8, and he played zero defense.

Isaiah Thomas had 9.7 WS in his first full season as a Celtics starter, and he's currently on track for 12-13.

Unless the Celts don't care about winning next year, starting a rookie point guard isn't a great idea.

Point guards take a while to develop.  There is nothing wrong with playing an elite guard prospect 20-24 mpg for a few years while the team figures out what sort of player they can become. 


It will mean, however, that either Smart or Bradley will need to go.  That might be difficult, but it may help the Celts address the weakness in the frontcourt.

Yeah, I've come around to the idea of doing a Smart (plus filler if needed - Clippers pick?) trade for Noel, purely because we're going to have to end up trading one of them eventually anyways, let alone us most likely picking a point guard in this year's draft. And with the Smart/IT pairing looking to be a less-than-desirable pairing, he seems to be the most obvious solution to move due to him having to play the primary ballhandler spot due to his terrible shooting.

And though he's not a perfect fit in Philly, he'd immediately be their best guard, and he'd dramatically help their perimeter D, which could make them a top-level defense when combined with Embiid. I also fail to see Philly getting anything more valuable than that for Noel given the context of his contract status and their logjam.

Ideally, we'd move him for Noel and then pick up Fultz this summer. I have a feeling that Fultz will end up working excellently with AB as a fierce two-way pairing, and that will give us plenty of options moving forward into the summer of 2018 with several free agents and a young core of Fultz, Brown, Noel, and the 2018 Brooklyn pick.

I have been on board with a Fultz/AB starting frontcourt and IT4 as a super 6th for a long time now. The starting versatility of Fultz/AB is mouth watering since AB has shown to be a very reliable SG. He can lock down the better defender of the two guards, and Fultz can dominant on the ball offensively, while hitting a cutting or popped Bradley. And the minutes wouldn't be a problem necessarily. Between SG and PG there are 96 minutes a game. That's 32 min a piece for them. You could theoretically have some combo of IT/Fultz, Fultz/AB or IT/AB on the court at all times. Pair that with Noel, and this teams future is bright.

If Jaylen turns into a slasher off the ball that has a crazy crossover with an average 3pt shot, this team will be amazing.

[saltlover]

 Yeah you might wanna change thread title to 2017. In 2018 we will be drafting a big hopefully Ayton.

Luka Doncic please.  I want someone than knows how to play basketball.  And a 6'8" PG/SG with his skills is amazing.

[PhoSita]

Ugh, IT is not going to go from scoring 28 ppg as a no-doubt All-Star to coming off the bench again.

Let's move past this notion, please.

My whole point here is that even if the Celts draft a point guard in the top 3 this year -- and they most likely will -- that guy does not need to start right away.  There is nothing wrong with playing your elite point guard prospect 18-24 minutes a night as your third guard.

IT can remain as the starter for at least next year, and then the team can evaluate the position (as Belichick might say) when IT hits free agency.

I don't think there would necessarily be any issue with re-signing IT long term in that scenario either.  By the time IT begins to decline, the guy the Celts draft this year will be hitting his prime and hopefully ready to take over.  Also, if you draft a 6'3'' or 6'4'' guard prospect, you could probably groom him to play alongside IT.


Bottom line, yes the Celts have a lot of guards right now, but the logjam is a little bit overblown.

IT is a superstar, but he's not going to play 40 minutes a night, and he's a free agent in a year, so it's good to have a contingency plan.

Smart is good at everything ... except for putting the ball through the hoop.  As a result, he's a role player, and not a guy you should depend on to play big minutes if you can help it.

Bradley is a nice all-around player.  He's obviously really important to the team this year because he's one of the few guys who can grab defensive boards, as crazy as that is considering he's only 6'2''.  Still, he's replaceable.

Rozier is a shooting guard in a point guard's body.  Has some nice moves to get his own shot but is shaky on defense and not good at seeing the court for the sake of other guys on his team.  Very expendable.

Jackson is a 2nd round pick who hasn't shown anything yet. 


If you've got to make room for a Fultz, Ball, or Smith, that's not a problem.

[hwangjini_1]

 Yeah you might wanna change thread title to 2017. In 2018 we will be drafting a big hopefully Ayton.

Luka Doncic please.  I want someone than knows how to play basketball.  And a 6'8" PG/SG with his skills is amazing.

yes, the early press coming out on doncic is amazing. he gets more praise than any prospect i have read about in many years. is it deserved? heck if i know. but it is there.

but we fans have a year to wait and see whether or not doncic is really as good as folks say. he is intriguing though.

[TrueFan]

Fultz, Ball, Smith, Ntilikina, Monk ...

Dollars to donuts, the 2017 BRK pick is going to be a point guard.

Unless the Celts can find a trade for a superstar (i.e. Butler, George, Cousins) that involves the pick, they're gonna have an elite point guard prospect behind Isaiah Thomas.

. . . and that's fine.

Since 2000, the highest WS total for a rookie point guard was Chris Paul in 06-07.  He was by far the outlier.  The next closest was Damian Lillard with 5.8, and he played zero defense.

Isaiah Thomas had 9.7 WS in his first full season as a Celtics starter, and he's currently on track for 12-13.

Unless the Celts don't care about winning next year, starting a rookie point guard isn't a great idea.

Point guards take a while to develop.  There is nothing wrong with playing an elite guard prospect 20-24 mpg for a few years while the team figures out what sort of player they can become. 


It will mean, however, that either Smart or Bradley will need to go.  That might be difficult, but it may help the Celts address the weakness in the frontcourt.

Yeah, I've come around to the idea of doing a Smart (plus filler if needed - Clippers pick?) trade for Noel, purely because we're going to have to end up trading one of them eventually anyways, let alone us most likely picking a point guard in this year's draft. And with the Smart/IT pairing looking to be a less-than-desirable pairing, he seems to be the most obvious solution to move due to him having to play the primary ballhandler spot due to his terrible shooting.

And though he's not a perfect fit in Philly, he'd immediately be their best guard, and he'd dramatically help their perimeter D, which could make them a top-level defense when combined with Embiid. I also fail to see Philly getting anything more valuable than that for Noel given the context of his contract status and their logjam.

Ideally, we'd move him for Noel and then pick up Fultz this summer. I have a feeling that Fultz will end up working excellently with AB as a fierce two-way pairing, and that will give us plenty of options moving forward into the summer of 2018 with several free agents and a young core of Fultz, Brown, Noel, and the 2018 Brooklyn pick.

I have to imagine the two GMs have discussed this since the trade makes way too much sense for both teams. This makes me wonder what the hold up is. Are the Sixers holding out for a better offer? Do they consider Noel a valuable insurance policy on Embiid's health? Does Ainge still consider Smart a possible future all star if he can straighten out his shooting form? I think if Smart does the trade suddenly becomes lopsided so it's possible Ainge can be holding out also. What other hold ups do others think could be going on with this possible trade?

[TrueFan]

Ugh, IT is not going to go from scoring 28 ppg as a no-doubt All-Star to coming off the bench again.

Let's move past this notion, please.

My whole point here is that even if the Celts draft a point guard in the top 3 this year -- and they most likely will -- that guy does not need to start right away.  There is nothing wrong with playing your elite point guard prospect 18-24 minutes a night as your third guard.

IT can remain as the starter for at least next year, and then the team can evaluate the position (as Belichick might say) when IT hits free agency.

I don't think there would necessarily be any issue with re-signing IT long term in that scenario either.  By the time IT begins to decline, the guy the Celts draft this year will be hitting his prime and hopefully ready to take over.  Also, if you draft a 6'3'' or 6'4'' guard prospect, you could probably groom him to play alongside IT.


Bottom line, yes the Celts have a lot of guards right now, but the logjam is a little bit overblown.

IT is a superstar, but he's not going to play 40 minutes a night, and he's a free agent in a year, so it's good to have a contingency plan.

Smart is good at everything ... except for putting the ball through the hoop.  As a result, he's a role player, and not a guy you should depend on to play big minutes if you can help it.

Bradley is a nice all-around player.  He's obviously really important to the team this year because he's one of the few guys who can grab defensive boards, as crazy as that is considering he's only 6'2''.  Still, he's replaceable.

Rozier is a shooting guard in a point guard's body.  Has some nice moves to get his own shot but is shaky on defense and not good at seeing the court for the sake of other guys on his team.  Very expendable.

Jackson is a 2nd round pick who hasn't shown anything yet. 


If you've got to make room for a Fultz, Ball, or Smith, that's not a problem.

Agreed. You start IT for the next 2 years and then make your decision then.

If we get Fultz you can play IT and Fultz together and have AB come off the bench. That could buy us some more time before making a decision between Fultz or IT. Or Ball or IT if you insert him into that arrangement.

[clevelandceltic]

Is this trend about 17 or 18?