Celtics Mock Draft Roundup: Sam Dekker A Possibility At No. 16
BOSTON (CBS) -- The NBA draft will take place this week, and most minds in the basketball world agree that the Boston Celtics would very much like to move up.
As owners of the No. 16 and No. 28 picks in the first round, Danny Ainge is likely to try to package the two picks in an effort to move up, ideally into the top 10.
However, given the unpredictable nature of teams' wants, and given that the No. 28 pick may not exactly be enticing enough to get the job done, the Celtics may very well end up making picks in both spots.
With that in mind, here's a look around the Internet at what the experts are forecasting for the Celtics in the first round.
ESPN.com, Chad Ford
16. Kelly Oubre, G/F, Kansas or Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Ford noted that the Celtics will try to move up, but in the event that they pick at No. 16, either Oubre or Lyles is a good bet.
"Both players could fit a need and I'm not sure which player the Celtics would take," Ford wrote. "Oubre is here because, in many ways, his upside is the highest, both as a defender and as an offensive player."
Ford also included "two dark horses to watch - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (G/F Arizona) and Rashad Vaughn (SG, UNLV)."
28. Jarell Martin, F, LSU
"He's skilled, a very good athlete, and he has an NBA body," Ford wrote. "He's just a bit of a tweener. But if he focuses on rebounding and toughness, he'd give the Celtics so much needed athleticism to their front court."
Sports Illustrated, Chris Mannix
16. Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Mannix wrote: "Pencil in Dekker, who tested extremely well athletically at the combine and, more importantly, shot well from three-point range."
28. Aleksandar Vezenkov, F, Bulgaria
Mannix wrote that the Celtics could use this pick to stash the 19-year-old, 6-foot-9 forward. "International scouts like him, often citing his jumper and skills in transition as strengths," Mannix said.
READ: Austin Ainge On Celtics @ 7: 'We Will Be Active' On Draft Night
Sam Vecenie
16. Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
28. Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
Gary Parrish
16. Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
28. Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU
Zach Harper
16. Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
28. Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman
16. R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Wasserman also wrote that the Celtics will try to trade up, but in the event they make this pick, they may look to a player from Georgia State, the brief Cinderella darlings of the round of 64.
"R.J. Hunter should get strong consideration, given Boston's lack of size and shooting in the backcourt," Wasserman wrote. "Hunter also happens to be an underrated passer and a high-IQ presence, two strengths coach Brad Stevens is likely to value."
28. Arturas Gudaitis, PF/C, Lithuania
"Arturas Gudaitis is a well-known name overseas, where he's showcased his above-the-rim athleticism and some face-up skills in Euroleague," Wasserman wrote. "He has some intriguing defensive potential as well, something Boston could clearly use up front.
NBA.com, Scott Howard-Cooper
16. Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Like many others, Howard-Cooper believes the Celtics will try to move into the top 10. But while making a pick, he went with Dekker.
"It's tough to know which Dekker will end up in the pros," Howard-Cooper wrote. "But with his size at small forward and the ability to put the ball on the floor, Dekker projects as a versatile offensive threat."
28. Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
"He has good strength and plays hard, with the ability to out-run slower power forwards," Howard-Cooper wrote. "Adding to the appeal on offense, he has played more on the perimeter facing the basket (when LSU had Johnny O'Bryant last season) and inside (this season)."
Yahoo.com, Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com
16.Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Givony wrote that the Celtics would prefer to add a rim protector but given the options available, they may choose to add depth to the 3 and 4 positions.
"Dekker knows how to play without the ball and fits into an unselfish and team-oriented offense, which could endear him to head coach Brad Stevens," Givony wrote.
28. Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
"With their second pick in the first round, the Celtics could simply look to swing for the fences for the highest upside player they can draft," Givony wrote. "At 6-foot-9, with long arms and soft touch, McCullough is talented enough to get drafted much higher than this, and Boston can afford to be patient and develop him."
SBNation.com, Kevin O'Connor
16. Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
"The Celtics value players who can switch on pick-and-rolls and Portis excelled in that area at Arkansas," O'Connor wrote.
28. R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
"Hunter is the type of player who could benefit from sliding and being drafted by a team where he could find an immediate role, which would be the case with the Celtics," O'Connor wrote.
