NBA Draft: Trading up to 15?

[LarryBrdismyDad]

Does anybody think the Celtics may possibly buy/trade for the Suns pick at 15? The Suns already have 71 mil committed to 9 players for next season and I doubt Sarver will want to add a mid first round pick that won't really contribute as a rookie and will cost him extra money out of his pocket. The Suns did draft Alando Tucker last yr but that was at 29 and they didn't have to commit that much money towards him. They have also traded a lot of draft picks away over the past few seasons for luxury tax purposes. They even traded us 21 a few yrs ago because of this and we selected Rajon Rondo! Id say everyone would say that worked out well.

At 15 we could get one of these guys: SF 6-10 Donte Greene Syracuse, SF 6-7 Chase Budinger Arizona, PF 6-10 Kevin Love UCLA, PF 6-9 Darrell Arthur Kansas, C 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet UConn, SF 6-8 Earl Clark, PF 6-10 Mareese Speights Florida, C 7-0 Deandre Jordan Texas A&M

[Falstaff]

I doubt it, but it would be nice. How about cash and #30? Still unlikely ...

[JMillott]

I don't think Danny Ainge will feel the need to move up that far in the draft. I suspect the targeted posistion in the draft will be the SG posistion as he looks to get a replacement lined up for Ray Allen like a Brandon Rush.

[SonicYouth34]

I doubt Phoenix trades this pick, if they do don't they get nothing out of the Joe Johnson trade. I think Brandon Rush is the Celts pick at 30, if he's still there

[Bleeding Green]

With Kansas winning I don't think Rush lasts. Teams like to overdraft "winners".

[cfan79]

Has anyone seen Richard Roby? Reading his profile he seems like a good player to replace Ray Allen. They say he's a great shooter. Might be a solid selection with the 30th pick.

[Celtics_Champs]

I would love rush at 30. But like someone said, I dont see him lasting.

[Pogue Mahone]

Has anyone seen Richard Roby? Reading his profile he seems like a good player to replace Ray Allen. They say he's a great shooter. Might be a solid selection with the 30th pick.

I don't have a link but Ainge was rumored to be very interested in Roby two years ago. I will do a quick search and see what I come up with.

[TheCelticTruth]

roby is a good player and a great shooter. he toyed with coming out early and got positive feedback but was also told he wasnt very ready. dont remember anything about ainge, but i know roby is kenyon martin's cousin.

i am unimpressed with rush after his tournament, and would no longer draft him. donte green is a project, mentally. if he hadnt played like a moron and just done what he was capable of syracuse wouldnt have a.) lost to villlanova and missed the tourney (not to mention they probably wouldnt have needed that game as they lost 3-5 games due to subpar performance by their "star" donte green) and b.)lost to umass in the nit

[celticfan42487]

I wonder if the article cited P2 as their source

[Pogue Mahone]

roby is a good player and a great shooter. he toyed with coming out early and got positive feedback but was also told he wasnt very ready. dont remember anything about ainge, but i know roby is kenyon martin's cousin.

I like Rick Roby, too. He is K-Mart's half-brother, btw.

i am unimpressed with rush after his tournament, and would no longer draft him. donte green is a project, mentally. if he hadnt played like a moron and just done what he was capable of syracuse wouldnt have a.) lost to villlanova and missed the tourney (not to mention they probably wouldnt have needed that game as they lost 3-5 games due to subpar performance by their "star" donte green) and b.)lost to umass in the nit

I am not all that impressed by Rush. His upside is ok role player, imo. The thing is, if all these underclassmen stay in the draft, even at pick 30, the Celtics are looking at much better potential values than a player like Rush.

Personally, I would be elated to get a 6'10+ shot-alterer with some rebounding skills. I would be very willing to use Glen Davis as bait to move up or as part of a package to acquire another pick. I would not move Pruitt, Powe, Rondo or Perkins in any deals-- NONE!

The gem of this draft is likely Marreese Speights (way out of Boston's range.) I haven't heard anything recently but from the last batch of mocks I had seen, people are seriously sleeping on three internationals, as well: Nicolas Batum, Alexis Ajinca and Rodrigue Beaubois.

Little by little, I am falling in love with the overall potential of this draft. Buyer beware of Rush, Plaisted, Hansbrough, R. Anderson, Gordon, B. Lopez, Mayo and D. Jordan. Mayo, Gordon and Jordan all have fantastic potential but each is in need of some serious seasoning. Mayo and Gordon are both very terrible defenders and show almost no activity without the ball in their hands. Jordan could potentially be great but he needs strong veterans to mold him. He will likely get drafted high, to a piss poor team, and bust.

Some serious sleepers, relatively speaking in some instances, are R. Lopez, Love, Earl Clark, J. Thompson, JaVale McGee, Ty Smith, Hendrix, D. Hardin, J. Harden (may stay at Az St), Malik Hairston and Bill Walker.

Solid players like Sasha Kaun (Dan Gadzuric clone, imo- useful if used properly), Jamont Gordon (would be an absolute steal in the 2nd RD), Courtney Lee, Kyle Weaver and Bill Walker might not even be drafted until the middle of the 2nd RD!

Then there is my adopted pet player-- Pat Calathes. A 6'10-ish SF who is still growing into his body. Former PG before going through a bunch of late growth spurts. I have him as the highest rated swing forward. Above Ryan Anderson. Above Donte Greene.

Here are a handful of players I have very highly ranked that many might not have considered as 'value':

1. Austin Daye - Yes, he averaged under 20 MPG. On a per minute basis, adjusted for conference, he rates out as the 2nd best SF prospect after Ty Smith in my rating system. As he gets more minutes, look for him to attempt to maintain his great overall game.

2. Marreese Speights - Again, you would like to see him play more minutes. He rates as the best PF/C in this draft, imo. Incredibly active.

3. Pat Calathes - Rates as the best SF/PF in the draft. Shot the ball at a .400 clip from deep and can playmake from the frontcourt.

4. Mario Chalmers - He is the 2nd best PG prospect in the draft after Rose.

5. Richard Hendrix - Best PF prospect in the draft. Yes, even better than Beasley.

6. Blake Griffin - 3rd best PF prospect in the draft. That being said, if I was a team at the top of the draft and both Beasley and Griffin were in, I would move down a few slots to pick up Griffin + for Beasley.

7. James Harden - Best SG prospect in the draft. I would take him over Mayo and Gordon and would have no regrets. If he stays in and doesn't get drafted until mid-to-late teens, some team is going to be extremely happy.

[DynastyInTheMaking]

3. Pat Calathes - Rates as the best SF/PF in the draft. Shot the ball at a .400 clip from deep and can playmake from the frontcourt.

4. Mario Chalmers - He is the 2nd best PG prospect in the draft after Rose.

5. Richard Hendrix - Best PF prospect in the draft. Yes, even better than Beasley.

Wtf are you talking about? What were you on when you wrote this?

[Sebzor]

C. Douglas-Roberts .. a possibility with the 30 pick?

[jfs1000d]

C. Douglas-Roberts .. a possibility with the 30 pick?

]

Doubt it. Celts will go shooter or athletic minded defensive banger. I am thinking more of a combo guard tweener to replace tony allen or a Robin Lopez.

[Red2]

I agree SG is the spot we should be looking to fill. tony allen is not reliable enough there. Prior to the NCAA's I thought CDR or BRush might be there for us at 30 but now I don't think they will . Danny will take the BPA and he has a good eye for talent so I'm sure he has his eye on someone who can help. But if he were to trade the pick plus some players to pick up another solid vet I would be ok with that as well

[billfromBoston]

roby is a good player and a great shooter. he toyed with coming out early and got positive feedback but was also told he wasnt very ready. dont remember anything about ainge, but i know roby is kenyon martin's cousin.

I like Rick Roby, too. He is K-Mart's half-brother, btw.

i am unimpressed with rush after his tournament, and would no longer draft him. donte green is a project, mentally. if he hadnt played like a moron and just done what he was capable of syracuse wouldnt have a.) lost to villlanova and missed the tourney (not to mention they probably wouldnt have needed that game as they lost 3-5 games due to subpar performance by their "star" donte green) and b.)lost to umass in the nit

I am not all that impressed by Rush. His upside is ok role player, imo. The thing is, if all these underclassmen stay in the draft, even at pick 30, the Celtics are looking at much better potential values than a player like Rush.

Personally, I would be elated to get a 6'10+ shot-alterer with some rebounding skills. I would be very willing to use Glen Davis as bait to move up or as part of a package to acquire another pick. I would not move Pruitt, Powe, Rondo or Perkins in any deals-- NONE!

The gem of this draft is likely Marreese Speights (way out of Boston's range.) I haven't heard anything recently but from the last batch of mocks I had seen, people are seriously sleeping on three internationals, as well: Nicolas Batum, Alexis Ajinca and Rodrigue Beaubois.

Little by little, I am falling in love with the overall potential of this draft. Buyer beware of Rush, Plaisted, Hansbrough, R. Anderson, Gordon, B. Lopez, Mayo and D. Jordan. Mayo, Gordon and Jordan all have fantastic potential but each is in need of some serious seasoning. Mayo and Gordon are both very terrible defenders and show almost no activity without the ball in their hands. Jordan could potentially be great but he needs strong veterans to mold him. He will likely get drafted high, to a piss poor team, and bust.

Some serious sleepers, relatively speaking in some instances, are R. Lopez, Love, Earl Clark, J. Thompson, JaVale McGee, Ty Smith, Hendrix, D. Hardin, J. Harden (may stay at Az St), Malik Hairston and Bill Walker.

Solid players like Sasha Kaun (Dan Gadzuric clone, imo- useful if used properly), Jamont Gordon (would be an absolute steal in the 2nd RD), Courtney Lee, Kyle Weaver and Bill Walker might not even be drafted until the middle of the 2nd RD!

Then there is my adopted pet player-- Pat Calathes. A 6'10-ish SF who is still growing into his body. Former PG before going through a bunch of late growth spurts. I have him as the highest rated swing forward. Above Ryan Anderson. Above Donte Greene.

Here are a handful of players I have very highly ranked that many might not have considered as 'value':

1. Austin Daye - Yes, he averaged under 20 MPG. On a per minute basis, adjusted for conference, he rates out as the 2nd best SF prospect after Ty Smith in my rating system. As he gets more minutes, look for him to attempt to maintain his great overall game.

2. Marreese Speights - Again, you would like to see him play more minutes. He rates as the best PF/C in this draft, imo. Incredibly active.

3. Pat Calathes - Rates as the best SF/PF in the draft. Shot the ball at a .400 clip from deep and can playmake from the frontcourt.

4. Mario Chalmers - He is the 2nd best PG prospect in the draft after Rose.

5. Richard Hendrix - Best PF prospect in the draft. Yes, even better than Beasley.

6. Blake Griffin - 3rd best PF prospect in the draft. That being said, if I was a team at the top of the draft and both Beasley and Griffin were in, I would move down a few slots to pick up Griffin + for Beasley.

7. James Harden - Best SG prospect in the draft. I would take him over Mayo and Gordon and would have no regrets. If he stays in and doesn't get drafted until mid-to-late teens, some team is going to be extremely happy.

Pogue....I really like your list of players, and I agree that Blake Griffin is an exceptional talent...I trust hist so-called "intangibles" more than Beasley's, but i'm not sure I can rate him higher straight up...if i was a GM I'd still have quite a bit of personal research to do before I made a decision like that...

..as far as Hendrix goes, unless you're talking about those "intangibles" again, there is really no way to rank Hendrix over Beasley in terms of physical skill set...Hendrix is solid as a rock and a better two-way player because he actually knows what defense is, but Beasley has first-option type offensive ability and teams need those types to build a team around...Hendrix isn't a focal point offensive player, though I believe he has the ability to play the post as an offensive option at times...he's not a franchise talent though...

Malik Hairiston confuses me...I don't think he's an NBA player...maybe a fringe guy, but not an impact guy...i'm usually pretty good at gauging undersized PFs and I don't see his game translating into a role in a rotation for a team...

Daye and Speights are highly intriguing to me, but again, "intangibles" fact checking is going to be huge with these guys because its not their skill, but their will that will be most questioned by NBA execs...do these guys have the minds to learn what they don't do well? Both players have serious holes in their games despite the other-worldly talent....I'm rooting for them, but I don't know what their priorities are...here's hoping...

BTW-did you get a PM from me yet? i've been dying to talk with you about some stuff offline...

[AWalkerREMIX]

Has anyone seen Richard Roby? Reading his profile he seems like a good player to replace Ray Allen. They say he's a great shooter. Might be a solid selection with the 30th pick.

Definitely not anything close to a replacement for Ray Allen. He's basically the 2-guard version of his cousin, Kenyon Martin.

[Parasite]

Keep an eye on Othello Hunter from Ohio State. Long shot-blocker. Could really be a defensive presence.

[cfan79]

I don't have a link but Ainge was rumored to be very interested in Roby two years ago. I will do a quick search and see what I come up with.

Cool, I didn't know that. He'll definitely slip despite his impressive numbers because he's a senior.

[UGA Hayes]

I like Rick Roby, too. He is K-Mart's half-brother, btw.

I am not all that impressed by Rush. His upside is ok role player, imo. The thing is, if all these underclassmen stay in the draft, even at pick 30, the Celtics are looking at much better potential values than a player like Rush.

Personally, I would be elated to get a 6'10+ shot-alterer with some rebounding skills. I would be very willing to use Glen Davis as bait to move up or as part of a package to acquire another pick. I would not move Pruitt, Powe, Rondo or Perkins in any deals-- NONE!

The gem of this draft is likely Marreese Speights (way out of Boston's range.) I haven't heard anything recently but from the last batch of mocks I had seen, people are seriously sleeping on three internationals, as well: Nicolas Batum, Alexis Ajinca and Rodrigue Beaubois.

Little by little, I am falling in love with the overall potential of this draft. Buyer beware of Rush, Plaisted, Hansbrough, R. Anderson, Gordon, B. Lopez, Mayo and D. Jordan. Mayo, Gordon and Jordan all have fantastic potential but each is in need of some serious seasoning. Mayo and Gordon are both very terrible defenders and show almost no activity without the ball in their hands. Jordan could potentially be great but he needs strong veterans to mold him. He will likely get drafted high, to a piss poor team, and bust.

Some serious sleepers, relatively speaking in some instances, are R. Lopez, Love, Earl Clark, J. Thompson, JaVale McGee, Ty Smith, Hendrix, D. Hardin, J. Harden (may stay at Az St), Malik Hairston and Bill Walker.

Solid players like Sasha Kaun (Dan Gadzuric clone, imo- useful if used properly), Jamont Gordon (would be an absolute steal in the 2nd RD), Courtney Lee, Kyle Weaver and Bill Walker might not even be drafted until the middle of the 2nd RD!

Then there is my adopted pet player-- Pat Calathes. A 6'10-ish SF who is still growing into his body. Former PG before going through a bunch of late growth spurts. I have him as the highest rated swing forward. Above Ryan Anderson. Above Donte Greene.

Here are a handful of players I have very highly ranked that many might not have considered as 'value':

1. Austin Daye - Yes, he averaged under 20 MPG. On a per minute basis, adjusted for conference, he rates out as the 2nd best SF prospect after Ty Smith in my rating system. As he gets more minutes, look for him to attempt to maintain his great overall game.

2. Marreese Speights - Again, you would like to see him play more minutes. He rates as the best PF/C in this draft, imo. Incredibly active.

3. Pat Calathes - Rates as the best SF/PF in the draft. Shot the ball at a .400 clip from deep and can playmake from the frontcourt.

4. Mario Chalmers - He is the 2nd best PG prospect in the draft after Rose.

5. Richard Hendrix - Best PF prospect in the draft. Yes, even better than Beasley.

6. Blake Griffin - 3rd best PF prospect in the draft. That being said, if I was a team at the top of the draft and both Beasley and Griffin were in, I would move down a few slots to pick up Griffin + for Beasley.

7. James Harden - Best SG prospect in the draft. I would take him over Mayo and Gordon and would have no regrets. If he stays in and doesn't get drafted until mid-to-late teens, some team is going to be extremely happy.

Agree on Rush, haven't watche Speights, the internationals or Plaisted much.

I think Hansbourough's offense is going to translate pretty well to the pros as there are plenty of guys who score garbage baskets irregardless of size. His defense is a big issue though and limits strating potential I think he goes around 12-15.

I agree on Gordon as I'm not real keen on guards who have sketchy handles. His game is bizarrely similar to Ben Gordon.

I like B. Lopez a good bit. I wish he was a better rebounder, but I think he has a good foundation for diversifying his offensive game which can be a bit predictable at the moment. He also looks like an above defender too. Like his brother as well.

I think you are way off on Rose. First his defense was above avg in almost every game I watched this year. Additionally he has solid handles and first step which is the most important thing for guards.

I don't like Jordan, but then again I thought Thabeet was hopeless last year so its too early to write him off.

No to Kaun, Gordon is interesting, assuming his knees are good to gonk Love is top 5 worthy. I think Walker is going to go in the lottery when it is said and done. McGee, Smith, Harden, weaver, greene, anderson I haven't seen enough of.

Calathes reminds me of Dunleavy a little bit. Think you are insane to have Hendrix rated that high.