BOSTON (WHDH) - The Boston Celtics’ draft will be shaped by ping pong balls tonight, which means there’s plenty of options for how the team’s draft may turn out in next month’s NBA Draft.
Thanks to the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics hold the selections for the No. 3 position before the lottery is held, meaning the team has a 15.6 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick. (The 76ers have the best odds at No. 1 at 25 percent; the Lakers are second at 19.9 percent.)
The Celtics can pick no worse than 6th. Here’s a chart that the Celtics tweeted on Monday that shows the odds for each pick:
What will the Celtics do with those positions? Many indications suggest the Celtics will look to trade the pick to bring in an established star or two. The team isn’t in rebuilding mode and would be more interested in acquiring a player that can help them win now.
But if the team decides to use the pick, here’s a look at who they might target with each selection.
If the Celtics pick…
No. 1: Ben Simmons, F, LSU
Simmons’ lack of competitive fire has been questioned at times, but he’s the most talented player in the draft, and putting the right coach and the right players around him could turn him into a legitimate star. Simmons was asked to do everything on an under-talented LSU team, and it wasn’t enough to get the Tigers into the NCAA tournament. Simmons would certainly fit a need for the Celtics – another scorer to rely on after Isaiah Thomas.
No. 2: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
Ingram is long and lanky, has range, and he’s very versatile. Ingram could play multiple positions on the floor and there’s a sense that he’s only starting to tap into his potential. His shooting is a real strength, and his game could translate to the NBA.
No. 3: Dragan Bender, F/C, Croatia
There’s likely to be a resurgence in intrigue with top international prospects after the successes of players like Kristaps Porzingis and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bender’s support has wanted recently because he wasn’t getting many minutes with his international team, but he’d fill a real need for the Celtics in the low post and has lots of potential. At age 18, he’s still a player with tons of upside.
No. 4: Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma
Hield’s stock was never higher than in early April, as he led the Sooners to the Final 4. Unfortunately, a disappointing national semifinal against Villanova left the door open about his ability on a big stage, but Hield is a natural scorer who had a breakout senior season.
No. 5: Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky
If Murray was still available at No. 5, it would be a nice consolation following a disappointing slide in the draft order. Murray’s strength is an outstanding jumpshot (that unfortunately failed him in the NCAA Tournament) who shot 41 percent from 3-point range this past season.
No. 6: Henry Ellenson, F/C, Marquette
It’s not an exciting pick, but Ellenson would fit a need for the Celtics at No. 6. He’s 6-foot-10 and can shoot better than his stats indicated. He averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds in college and would be an upgrade in the low post for the Celtics.
Other options: Kris Dunn (Providence), Jaylen Brown (Cal), Jakob Poeltl (Utah)
The Celtics also have the No. 16 and No. 23 picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft. They also have five second-round picks, including the first pick of the second round.
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