Sunday, June 30, 2013

Draft Review: Boston Celtics

First Round
Kelly Olynyk, PF Gonzaga (13)
The Celtics moved up to take Kelly Olynyk, who is probably the most skilled big man in the draft. He has unusually good ball handling skills and is a good enough shooter to be a stretch 4 down the line. Olynyk is also a good post scorer and crafty finisher, however he isn't a great athlete nor is he very long, so he may struggle to finish sometimes. Also, this may cause Olynyk to struggle defensively and on the glass as well. Basically he is a taller, thinner Jared Sullinger, so I don't understand this pick.

Second Round
Colton Iverson, C Colorado State (53)
This is a very good pick for the Celtics at this point in the draft and I think Colton Iverson sticks on the roster. He isn't particularly skilled or athletic, but Iverson is long, strong, and tough. Even if his role is simply a practice guy, Iverson will toughen up Boston's young bigs with his physicality and energy and can pull spot duty as a Ivan Johnson-type.

Traded Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
The Celtics finally pulled the blowup cord and traded franchise stalwarts Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, along with Jason Terry to the Nets for Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, and Gerald Wallace as well as first round picks in 2014, 2016, and 2018. This is may be hard on Celtics fans, and the team certainly may be terrible for a couple years, but it was the right thing to do. The Nets aging roster will be good for a couple years, but by 2016 and 2018, these picks could be very valuable. None of the players added are part of the future, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rondo be traded soon as well.

Projected Rotation
PG: Rajon Rondo/Avery Bradley
SG: Courtney Lee/Jordan Crawford/MarShon Brooks
SF: Jeff Green/Gerald Wallace
PF: Brandon Bass/Jared Sullinger
C: Fab Melo/Kelly Olynyk

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