Final Mock Draft Roundup: Who Will Celtics Pick?
BOSTON (CBS) -- The NBA Draft is just a day away, meaning mock draft season is coming to a close.
It's been an exciting one for fans of the Boston Celtics, with their team owning eight picks come Thursday night. That's led to endless combinations of new players, only a handful of which may actually end up on the team.
So for one final time, let's go around the web and see who the experts have Danny Ainge and company drafting with picks they are trying to trade (reportedly, to no avail).
No. 3: Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky
The Celtics could go a variety of ways here or trade the pick. But, if they keep it, I won't be surprised if they go with Murray, whom I believe is the third-best prospect in this draft. He made 79 of 100 3-point attempts during a recent workout with the Celtics in a performance that suggested there's nothing fluky about the 40.8 percent he shot from 3-point range during his one season at Kentucky. And Boston really needs shooting. So the Celtics going this direction -- again, if they keep they pick -- makes sense on multiple levels.
No. 16: Timothe Luwawu, SG, France
The Celtics have so many picks that they're going to need to either package them for a player or select multiple international prospects that can theoretically be stashed. So someone like Luwawu is a real possibility. He's a wing with size who is an above-average athlete and defender. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range this season, which, again, is ideal for a Boston franchise that really needs to add shooting.
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia
Again, the Celtics have three first-round picks. So draft-and-stash prospects will be possible targets at both 16 and 23. And Zubac is a terrific candidate for such given that he's only 19 years old and maybe willing to stay in Serbia for another year. He averaged double-figures in Europe for a team that could have multiple draft picks.
No. 31: Zhou Qi, C, China
The Celtics are probably going to select multiple international prospects that they can leave overseas considering the amount of picks they possess. Qi would be the best available here.
No. 35: Damian Jones, PF, Vanderbilt
Jones is another prospect who could go late in the first round or early in the second. If he reaches his potential, the Vandy product could develop into an NBA starter.
No. 45: Rade Zagorac, SF, Serbia
Zagorac is another stash option for Boston. He's a 6-8 wing who can handle the ball and bury shots.
No. 51: A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue
Hammons is a first-round talent. But questions about his character, and his age, won't allow him to go in the first round.
No. 58: Robert Carter, PF, Maryland
Carter is a possible stretch-4 at the NBA level. He's one of three Maryland Terrapins that could be selected in this draft.
No. 3: Dragan Bender, PF, Israel
Maybe Bender, maybe Kris Dunn (No. 3 much of the season in the NBA.com pre-lottery rankings), maybe Marquese Chriss, maybe Jaylen Brown, maybe Buddy Hield. Maybe a trade with veterans more appealing than prospects for a team looking for a long playoff run now, not a prospect. The Celtics are standing in middle of a busy intersection. Some teams think Bender has a chance to be great and one GM said he could see the Croatian eventually becoming the best player in the draft.
No. 16: Malachi Richardson, SG/SF, Syracuse
A versatile scorer who had especially big games in the tournament as part of Syracuse's unexpected run from No. 10 seed to the Final Four. That would have looked good no matter what, but was particularly noteworthy for a freshman on that big stage for the first time. The postseason combined with good workouts in the weeks leading to the Draft had Richardson climbing with the possibility he could continue to rise.
No. 23: Thon Maker, PF, Athlete Institue (Canada)
He had been considered a bubble pick for the first round, but teams are simply too intrigued by the possibilities, even if the subject of great hype for years remains a project who will probably need at least a season and maybe two before he makes any significant NBA impact. The worry among some front offices is that Maker will last until late enough in the first round to be chosen by a good team that does not need an immediate contribution and can wait for him to develop, potentially into a big payoff in a few years. He especially makes sense for a team spending its third pick of the first round, if the Celtics don't make a trade.
No. 31: Zhou Qi, C, China
Zhou said he can make a smooth transition to the United States even if it is not in a city with a large Chinese population. He needs to get stronger, but someone will probably invest a weightlifting regiment and patience near the end of the first round or the start of the second for a 7-2 prospect with agility.
No. 35: Guerschon Yabusele, PF, France
A tank, one executive said. Though slightly undersized in height for a power forward, Yabusele compensates with the bulk that allows him to handle himself inside on offense and rebounding without much difficulty. Plus he has a nice perimeter game.
No. 45: Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan
The chances of getting into the first round that once existed are now almost certainly buried under an avalanche of medical reports after three surgeries on his left foot in 22 months, most recently in March. LeVert played just 33 of a possible 68 games the last two seasons. But with that shooting range, the experience of four years in a major program and the potential to play both wing positions, someone will probably invest a second-round pick and hope for better health.
No. 51: Georgios Papagiannis, C, Greece
He is only 18 years old -- 19 on July 3 -- and already a physical presence. Good hands and agility make Papagiannis a target for passes in transition as well as deep catches and lobs off sets. The defense needs to get better.
No. 58: Dorian Finney-Smith, SF, Florida
A shooter with range, a defender with four years of experience in major programs (Virginia Tech for a season, then Florida) and a high basketball IQ. He will rebound as well. Finney-Smith helped his stock with a good showing at the Portsmouth Invitational.
ESPN (Insider Content)
No. 3: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, F, Michigan State
No. 23: Cheick Diallo, F, Kansas
No. 3: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
No. 16: Deyonta Davis, F, Michigan State
No. 23: Furkan Korkmaz, G, Turkey
No. 31: Guerschon Yabusele, PF, France
No. 35: Georgios Papagiannis, C, Greece
No. 45: A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue
No. 51: Jake Layman, SF, Maryland
No. 58: Joel Bolomboy, PF, Weber State
No. 3: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
No. 16: Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
No. 23: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia
No. 31: Ante Zizic, C, Croatia
No. 35: Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV
No. 45: Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky
No. 51: Paul Zipser, SF, Germany
No. 58: A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue
