#3 pick

[tlee324]

I mentioned Kedrick Brown because he's our poster child for an SF with elite athleticism and length but limited game. Jaylen may have more game than Kedrick had, but Kedrick put up big stats @ JC and generated a buzz come draft time.

The one time I tuned in to watch Jaylen Brown this year was Cal's loss to Hawaii in the first round of the tourney. Perhaps I saw him at his worst, but the only other players to make such a negative impression on me in the tourney in recent years are Phil Pressey, Sherron Collins, and Rob Kelly.

One thing Jaylen does have in common with Kedrick is that they both had a man's body at a young age. One reason many young players have great upside, is because they have yet to physically mature in any real capacity. So...

All things considered, I can't really get behind the guy unless he's a second round flier. Many busts in his mold had been similarly ranked by scouts out of HS, so I'm not concerned with overreacting to his play at Cal.

It's cool, and for the record, I am not advocating the C's take him NOW, but he could end up being an intriguing prospect when scouts work him out and see what they have to work with. Just keeping an eye out.

I've said it on other threads that I'm way behind on college ball and draft prospects this year. Just keeping my eyes open at this stage.

[bucknersrevenge]

Oh hell no.

It's someone so boring, so unexciting, so fitting and so expected, it hasn't been mentioned here in quite some time.

Weeks, at least.

Bill Simmons was on Toucher and Rich this morning and I caught a few minutes. They discussed the three guys rumored recently (George, Cousins, Butler) and he felt Butler was the most realistic. Didn't think the Celtics would blow their assets for Cousins.

Also then he added Hayward as a potential as well, which led everyone to say 'wow that would not be fireworks, so boring.'

Then Simmons did his classic thing of making a ridiculous trade proposal, saying they could look at moving all of 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year. Then also said that the last thing Celtics should do was be impatient, and was shocked when he was told that C's fans were in a super impatient state of mind overall. Lol.

Heard him too. Also said the Okafor idea was really the most realistic idea for this offseason on a couple of different occasions. Guilt shamed Rich for suggesting that we gut our core assets for Butler which was awesome I thought. I admittedly was feeling a bit impatient at the end of our season about wanting some upgrades. But as I saw more and more available players become un-available the reality of where we are set in. I'm don't think that core C's fans like the ones that frequent this site are nearly so deluded The questions Rich and Fred were asking felt a lot like "Uhh...I'm asking for a friend, can we still get Durant?"

[Edug27]

If this is actually true, the top two picks would then be not as good as advertised.

If the Lakers can get a cornerstone for their franchise, they should not sell the second pick. Unlike the Cavs who were looking to contend immediately (Wiggins for Love) the Lakers are nowhere near to making the playoffs in the west.

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

Wayyyyy too much to give up for George. Insanity. Rather keep Russ and Randle and bank on Ingram being as good as PG.

[165bows]

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

Wayyyyy too much to give up for George. Insanity. Rather keep Russ and Randle and bank on Ingram being as good as PG.

If they don't hit multiple home runs in FA they are going to hand over lotto picks in 2 of the next 3 years. And until they get someone that can win a basketball game then go to a bar and order a drink afterwards all they have to sell in FA is beaches and movies.

The young players they have are nice but the idea that Lakers fans have of Randle/Russell with one of Ingram/Simmons being ticketed for Finals appearances is comical IMO. They are good but not anywhere remotely near that good.

[ConstableGeneva]

FWIW...
[tweet]https://twitter.com/CelticsHub/status/733336396103045122[/tweet]

[Celtic Esquire]

Not sure where this goes but the Lakers are reportly looking to shop the 2nd pick. Thats awful news for the Celtics.

http://sportsnaut.com/2016/05/report-lakers-actively-shop-no-2-pick-2016-nba-draft/

Not surprised by this at all. The local buzz in LA is that they need a star to continue to keep the current fan base now that Kobe is retired. What many people who don't live in LA don't realize is the fickleness of the Laker fan base.

I have tons of friends, co-workers, etc. who only know the Lakers as Kobe and now that he is retired they aren't really interested in the Lakers anymore. The Lakers have the most casual fan base in the league and the Buss family know that in order to keep that fan base interested, they need a big star on the team. The Buss family also know that because the Lakers charge higher ticket prices than the Clippers, they need to constantly contend in order to justify those prices. The Lakers got a pass in the local market the last two years due to (1) Kobe's injury and (2) Kobe's farewell tour.

No casual Laker fan that I know is going to pony up $$$ to watch Russell, Randle and Simmons/Ingram.

[Edug27]

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

Wayyyyy too much to give up for George. Insanity. Rather keep Russ and Randle and bank on Ingram being as good as PG.

If they don't hit multiple home runs in FA they are going to hand over lotto picks in 2 of the next 3 years. And until they get someone that can win a basketball game then go to a bar and order a drink afterwards all they have to sell in FA is beaches and movies.

The young players they have are nice but the idea that Lakers fans have of Randle/Russell with one of Ingram/Simmons being ticketed for Finals appearances is comical IMO. They are good but not anywhere remotely near that good.

I despise the Lakers, but think DRuss will be an absolute stud.... And Ingram as well. If those players were in green, you'd probably say the same. I mean hell, we love scrubs like Smart and Mickey.

[celticfan42487]

If this is actually true, the top two picks would then be not as good as advertised.

If the Lakers can get a cornerstone for their franchise, they should not sell the second pick. Unlike the Cavs who were looking to contend immediately (Wiggins for Love) the Lakers are nowhere near to making the playoffs in the west.

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

My God that's a horrific trade for the Lakers. Just pure trash. Horrible.

If the Pacers or Bulls get a Simmons and one of Russel/Randle for either Butler or George they should be jumping up and down because they just won that trade hands down.

Not sure where this goes but the Lakers are reportly looking to shop the 2nd pick. Thats awful news for the Celtics.

http://sportsnaut.com/2016/05/report-lakers-actively-shop-no-2-pick-2016-nba-draft/

If this is actually true, the top two picks would then be not as good as advertised.

If the Lakers can get a cornerstone for their franchise, they should not sell the second pick. Unlike the Cavs who were looking to contend immediately (Wiggins for Love) the Lakers are nowhere near to making the playoffs in the west.

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Honestly, we have to realistically look at it, the Celtics are way behind most teams when it comes to trading for a star right now.

Philly has the #1, 2 other first, endless great prospects like Okafor, Embiid, Noel that they wouldn't care at all to depart with one of them.

The Lakers have the #2, and the desperation (due to lost future firsts and fanbase) to throw in one of Russel or Randle for a superstar

The Phoenix suns have the #4, multiple first rounders like us, and a spare All-star level PG that they lose nothing by trading.

Then you have us or maybe someone else.

Unless you're saying we're jumping up and down to trade away 2 or 3 of our Nets pick and call that a full rebuild... we're just outgunned by teams with actual talent. And because of this now we have to consider this is the price we're paying for not tanking when it was appropriate.

We lost our guns when we didn't' get one of the top 2 picks. At this point we have to look at the draft and rebuild route. Or we'll have Ainge blow his wad on just one all-star and we'll treadmill for a couple of years then our team will leave in free agency and Ainge will be fired.

[celticfan42487]

Not sure where this goes but the Lakers are reportly looking to shop the 2nd pick. Thats awful news for the Celtics.

http://sportsnaut.com/2016/05/report-lakers-actively-shop-no-2-pick-2016-nba-draft/

Not surprised by this at all. The local buzz in LA is that they need a star to continue to keep the current fan base now that Kobe is retired. What many people who don't live in LA don't realize is the fickleness of the Laker fan base.

I have tons of friends, co-workers, etc. who only know the Lakers as Kobe and now that he is retired they aren't really interested in the Lakers anymore. The Lakers have the most casual fan base in the league and the Buss family know that in order to keep that fan base interested, they need a big star on the team. The Buss family also know that because the Lakers charge higher ticket prices than the Clippers, they need to constantly contend in order to justify those prices. The Lakers got a pass in the local market the last two years due to (1) Kobe's injury and (2) Kobe's farewell tour.

No casual Laker fan that I know is going to pony up $$$ to watch Russell, Randle and Simmons/Ingram.

Actually, if the Lakers do what is right with the franchise and keep that #2 pick. Along with it being the first season for the old/new LA Rams... it would be interesting to see if the Lakers BOTH keep their prices sky high, and keep the attendance up.

Not sure the Lakers have ever actually had to rebuild since being in LA.

[London2Boston]

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

Wayyyyy too much to give up for George. Insanity. Rather keep Russ and Randle and bank on Ingram being as good as PG.

It's a fair deal imo. But I'm not all that high on Randle or Russ. You aren't getting a stud like George for less than that.

[165bows]

Wayyyyy too much to give up for George. Insanity. Rather keep Russ and Randle and bank on Ingram being as good as PG.

If they don't hit multiple home runs in FA they are going to hand over lotto picks in 2 of the next 3 years. And until they get someone that can win a basketball game then go to a bar and order a drink afterwards all they have to sell in FA is beaches and movies.

The young players they have are nice but the idea that Lakers fans have of Randle/Russell with one of Ingram/Simmons being ticketed for Finals appearances is comical IMO. They are good but not anywhere remotely near that good.

I despise the Lakers, but think DRuss will be an absolute stud.... And Ingram as well. If those players were in green, you'd probably say the same. I mean hell, we love scrubs like Smart and Mickey.

IDK I just think a guy has to be a two way player to be in that stud category. Sure they are nice (except Randle who I think is Faried at best), but I'd throw most of this team's best assets in the pile for George. Hell I'm positive I was posting in our draft thread about Russell at Ohio State before he was even in mock drafts, let alone a projected lotto pick.

I guess it just seems like a case of shiny new toy scenario to me. I'd take George and a legit shot at other heavy hitters in FA but if they won't pony up the good stuff in trades then great because that only helps the outlook here.

[BakersDozen]

Not sure where this goes but the Lakers are reportly looking to shop the 2nd pick. Thats awful news for the Celtics.

http://sportsnaut.com/2016/05/report-lakers-actively-shop-no-2-pick-2016-nba-draft/

...unless we trade for the #2 spot and they move down to only #3....

Crazy thing is Simmons was the big prize all year long, and now he only wants to go to LA and it sounds like they don't really want him.

Or maybe they know philly will draft him and they arent high on Ingram


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[Celtic Esquire]

Actually, if the Lakers do what is right with the franchise and keep that #2 pick. Along with it being the first season for the old/new LA Rams... it would be interesting to see if the Lakers BOTH keep their prices sky high, and keep the attendance up.

Not sure the Lakers have ever actually had to rebuild since being in LA.

Kobe has been on the Lakers for 20 years and after he joined, it was rare that the Lakers didn't make a deep run in the playoffs or win it all.

Los Angeles is the ultimate band wagon town with many current Lakers fans only following the team due to Kobe. Yes, there were die hards during the Showtime era, but that is before you could get NBA games on a readily available national basis.

In the last few weeks since Kobe retired, I know of around ten people who have given up their season tickets that they have held since the 1990s and nearly all of them cited Kobe's retirement and the Lakers lack of star power as the reason they were giving up their seats. One guy had center court seats, a few rows from the court itself, that he was paying over $50k annually for a pair. You can bet your butt that the Buss family is going to have a hard time finding someone like him to pay the same amount when the Lakers are putrid and trotting out players that the casual fans hate, Russell (for being a snitch), Randle (inconsistent as hell), Clarkson (I know die hards who call him Avery Bradley without the defense) or Simmons (no one in LA watches SEC basketball and LSU didn't even make the big dance).

The Lakers are going to go all out to trade the #2 pick and either Russell or Randle to land a player like George, Cousins or Butler or they are going to run the risk of becoming fourth fiddle in a town with a good Clippers team, a brand new Rams team and the Dodgers who always draw well.

[reload141]

...unless we trade for the #2 spot and they move down to only #3....

Crazy thing is Simmons was the big prize all year long, and now he only wants to go to LA and it sounds like they don't really want him.

Or maybe they know philly will draft him and they arent high on Ingram


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This.
A friend of mine is going to be sitting at Simmons' table on draft night and he says it's a lock that Philly take him.

[tombattor]

Trade the pick for Cousins. We need size and post presence. Cousins fills that. He got a bad rep, playing for George Karl, who's had his share of issues with star players. Brad Stevens will do a better job with him.

[Berkcelt]

Is Jim Buss still on his deadline where he has to cede control to Jeanie if they don't improve?

[Celtic Esquire]

Is Jim Buss still on his deadline where he has to cede control to Jeanie if they don't improve?

It's a self-imposed deadline rather than anything formal, but Jim Buss said he would give up control of basketball operations if the Lakers were no contending for a berth in the WCF by the end of next season.

The Lakers sure as hell ain't gonna be doing that unless they make a trade for a star player so that is why the #2 pick and Russell or Randle/Clarkson is in play.

[Ben-N1ce]

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

Wayyyyy too much to give up for George. Insanity. Rather keep Russ and Randle and bank on Ingram being as good as PG.

I don't think so. Paul George is a top 10 player IMO going into his prime now. Secondly the Lakers can get players in free agency. That is not a big problem of theirs..especially when you can go play with George now.

Trade the pick for Cousins. We need size and post presence. Cousins fills that. He got a bad rep, playing for George Karl, who's had his share of issues with star players. Brad Stevens will do a better job with him.

Cousins nor George are getting moved. Hey fans and new coach I'm rewarding you by getting rid of the best player on the roster. Season tickets are going fast hurry before they are sold out.

[jfs1000d]

If this is actually true, the top two picks would then be not as good as advertised.

If the Lakers can get a cornerstone for their franchise, they should not sell the second pick. Unlike the Cavs who were looking to contend immediately (Wiggins for Love) the Lakers are nowhere near to making the playoffs in the west.

I don't think that is it all all. Lakers trade the second pick for George. Butler or Cousins all of a sudden they have a star player and now FA will start looking there which may not happen if they simply drafted Simmons or Ingram.

Celtics and Lakers trying to do the same thing, problem is LA has a better pick, more cap space and LA will always be a destination city.

Weird thing is a thread on the trade board I said I thought #2/Russell/Randle was an absolute no-brainer for George, and across the board Lakers fans thought it was a terrible idea and wouldn't do it.

Would we do Smart, No. 3, Brooklyn pick next year and Rozier/Mickey for George? How many here would absolutely whine about that?


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[Berkcelt]

Is Jim Buss still on his deadline where he has to cede control to Jeanie if they don't improve?

It's a self-imposed deadline rather than anything formal, but Jim Buss said he would give up control of basketball operations if the Lakers were no contending for a berth in the WCF by the end of next season.

The Lakers sure as hell ain't gonna be doing that unless they make a trade for a star player so that is why the #2 pick and Russell or Randle/Clarkson is in play.

Thanks, I thought it was something like that. We really need them to crap the bed and have a GoT style power struggle ensue.

Cs and Lakers both want to trade but both have similar problems afterwards. Specifically how do you fill out the roster after you get the guy, especially if you just gave up the farm to get him. Like Paul George would be ideal, but the Cs would still need a front court, not sure what we'd have leftover even if we could outbid LA. I guess maybe we could convince Horford or Whiteside to sign at that point? I'd probably take the risk. Tough job this offseason, really seems muddled at this early time.

Edit: Also is there any reason to think PG is actually on the table? I don't get why he would be. A trade of this pick seems preferable...except for who it seems is actually available.