Celtics mock draft: Predicting all 8 picks
The Celtics own 13.3 percent of the picks in the 2016 NBA Draft
The Celtics have eight picks in the 2016 NBA Draft and aren’t expected to use all of them Thursday night. With that said, the team has not made any trades to consolidate those picks just yet. Until something changes on that front, we decided to go through all of Boston’s eight picks to identify players the team could be targeting at each stage of the draft.
3. Kris Dunn (trade) – Ainge will select the No. 3 player on another team’s board and move him out in a deal for a player and potentially another late lottery pick. Either that or the Celtics take Dunn and move out one of their other guards (i.e. Marcus Smart) in a separate trade package. The bottom line is a trade will be associated with this pick.
16. Ivica Zubac (Mega Leks) – The European seven-footer will be a draft and stash choice for the Celtics in this spot. He’s got terrific size and a promising touch around the rim for a big man. At his young age (19), the Celtics can leave him in the Adriatic League to develop for a year or two and bring him over when there is less of a roster crunch.
23. Denzel Valentine – Injury concerns have the Michigan State’s senior dropping on draft boards, but the Celtics won’t be able to turn down this kind of value late in the first round. His 3-point shooting stroke (44.4 percent) will help Boston’s bench spread the floor and he’s the kind of well-rounded player (7.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists) that Brad Stevens loves to utilize.
31. Brice Johnson – With Jared Sullinger in line for a big raise in free agency, the Celtics may have his replacement in Johnson. The UNC forward was one of the top rebounders in the country, and like Valentine, he’s a four-year senior who should be able to contribute right away. He doesn’t have the shooting range that Sullinger showed, but his 61 percent shooting percentage shows he stays in his lane well on the offensive end.
35. Thon Maker – The 19-year-old was one of the most hyped high school prospects in the country a few years ago, but concerns about his true age and development could allow him to slip into the second round. The Celtics have enough picks to take a gamble on the 7-foot-1 Sudan native and perhaps stash him overseas to allow him to polish his game against lesser competition.
45. Petr Cornelie – The international flavor continues for the Celtics in the second round with this 6-foot-11 Frenchman. He’s got a slender build, but he shot 40 percent from 3-point range during his past season in Europe, an impressive feat for a man of his size. If he improves on his physicality with another strong year or two in Europe, he could make a strong entrance to the NBA down the road.
51. Ben Bentil– He starred at Providence College alongside Dunn last season. He’s got some nice offensive versatility for a big man. If he can hold his own defensively, he’s got a good chance of sticking in the NBA for awhile.
58. Kay Felder – The 5-foot-10 guard out of Oakland could be an Isaiah Thomas-type steal at the end of the second round. He averaged 24.4 points and 9.3 assists per game during his junior season, making him one of the more exciting prospects available at the end of the draft. The Celtics won’t have room for him next year, but he could be a useful lottery ticket if his skills translate.
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