With Game 7 of the NBA Finals safely in the rearview mirror the Boston Celtics are faced with a multitude of questions that resonate throughout the organization about their future. Coach Doc Rivers is still unsure whether he will return to the team for another season. General Manager Danny Ainge has been linked to rumors about the GM vacancy in Phoenix. Paul Pierce could opt out of the last year of his deal, which would pay him just over $21 million this season. Ray Allen has come off the books, and does not currently have a contract. For that matter the Celtics have only 6 players under contract for the 2010-2011 season, Pierce (if he picks up his player option), Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins (who will miss some of next season follow his knee injury), Rajon Rondo, and Rasheed Wallace (if he doesn’t retire).
For now Ainge is still the GM for the Celts and he will be entering tonight’s all important draft aspiring to obtain the right players to fit the Boston puzzle. With the 19th pick in this year’s draft, which direction will Ainge and the Celts go? While really analyzing this Celtics team there is only one constant for next year, that’s Rajon Rondo. Glen Davis will still be a solid contributor off the bench, but Perk is hurt to start the season, while the rest of the current 6 player roster is aging, and past their prime.
The Celts could look for a potential back-up to Rondo, that seems to have been a thorn in their side for the past couple years and could be resolved in the draft. With Ray Allen not currently under contract, and Pierce aging, the C’s could look for a scorer, one who could help now and in the future. With Kendrick Perkins hurt to begin next season, and Rasheed Wallace seemingly taking retirement into consideration, a big post-player could be in the works for Boston.
As it seems, the Celtics need help in every area possible heading into this draft. If you’re in the camp that believes an instant impact back-up point guard is the right choice, look for the likes of Freshman PG Avery Bradley out of Texas. Bradley can hit the knock down jumper and is quick on defense if he concentrated on doing so, unfortunately he is a slightly undersized at 6’2” or so, and is not a prototypical PG, as he looks for his shot rather than the pass first mentality. Eric Bledsoe a PG/SG out of Kentucky could also be an option. Much overshadowed by teammates John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, Bledsoe is a scorer who can hit the shot, and has the quickness to create. The only reason he is listed as a PG, however, is because of his 6’1” height. He is a natural 2 guard who still has a lot of growing and maturing to do, but the talent is there.
If the Celts are targeting a scorer, more of a natural 2 or 3 on the court look for guys like Jordan Crawford of Xavier, Damion James from Texas, Dominique Jones from South Florida, Quincy Pondexter of Washington, Elliot Williams of Memphis, Luke Babbit from Nevada, James Anderson from Oklahoma State, or Gordon Hayward of Butler (if he drops). James and Pondexter are both seniors, that spent the better part of 4 years leading their respective teams. They would both be willing to accept defensive roles, while continuing to improve their scoring and shooting ability. Both players are about the same size around 6’6” and 220 lbs and predominantly play the small forward position. Williams, Jones, Crawford, and Anderson are more shooting guard types that come in between 6’4” and 6’6”. This is a very athletic group that has been known as me first type players, looking mostly for their own shot. Jumpers for all 4 players would need to be improved, as well as defensive intensity and desire to play on the defensive end, but their athleticism and ability to score the ball is not in question. Babbit and Hayward are long shots to drop to 19th on the board, but are similar players. Both players are long and athletic, Babbit more so than Hayward. I’d look for Hayward to be more of a shooter, who is sure to have plenty of trouble on the defensive end, and cannot really create his own shot if the defense covers him tightly; whereas Babbit is more of an active perimeter player who can score, and not strictly on jumpers.
Finally if you believe the Celts will look to go big, then look for Daniel Orton out of Kentucky or Cole Aldrich from Kansas (if they drop), Hassan Whiteside from Marshall, or Solomon Alabi from Florida St. I don’t expect Orton of Aldrich to be on the board at 19, but Orton is full of potential would be a bit of a project, but has the height and strength to play in the NBA, it’s the maturity one could worry about. Aldrich will never be a star, but is a smart and solid player who is the type of guy any organization would want on their team. Whiteside is a 7-footer, who has maturity issues, but has the length and athleticism to play in the NBA; last year at Marshall he averaged over 5 blocks per game. Alabi is the long shot for the C’s, I doubt they look his way, but if they do it’s understandable. He is also a 7-footer who comes just inches shy of touching the rim while standing straight up with his arms extended. He would be another project though, a very raw talent that would take time, but in the long run could be worth it.
All of that being said, in my eyes, the 2010 NBA draft is a weak year for players. There is an exorbitant amount of potential in this draft, but an organization never really knows is that potential is going to pan out into pure talent. Danny Ainge has never shied away from draft day trades, and if he can find a good package for their 19th pick look for him to quickly move it in favor of a veteran player.
Sean Sendall – follow me on Twitter
Tags: Boston Celtics, Sean Sendall
