#3 pick

[Celtic King]

The Sixers could take Bender?

They will take Simmons, Book it.

[tlee324]

And I'm not sure how legit Brown is, but I like him.

He's one of the guys that I expect teams to find intriguing after the workouts. Has work to do on his all around game, but his athleticism and strength is definitely NBA level.

[celticfan42487]

I'd trade it to the sixers for Okafor. Makes sense for both teams. Sixers have too many bigs and the celtics have too many guards.

The fact that they are so willing to trade him means he's probably not worth #3. Package up a few of the other #1s the Cs have and make a run at him.

Are they really so willing?

Yeah, you have to remember it's a new team in Philly now. The tank guy got fired and after all his hard work to get about 5 top 5 picks in the team... now they put their son in charge to reap the rewards.

The Sixers won't throw away Okafor.

They have more assets than anyone to trade for Butler or any all-star wing.

But if they don't, it makes a lot of sense for them to trade away a big (Okafor or Nerleus Noel) and balance their roster out.

Right now they have

endless cap space and

Nothing at PG
Nothing at SG
Covington at SF who is a starting level talent
Simmons/Saric/Okafor
Nerleus Noel/ Embiid

So Okafor has the talent to command the #3 on his own based on his performance last year.

You trade him and you bring in say a Murray or Dunn to that team. Simmons or Ingram will play the 3 or 4. And at least you have balanced out a roster with

Dunn or Murray
Covington
Simmons
Saric
Noel/Embiid

That's a talented start, with a couple other first rounders to round out the roster. And maybe you throw some of that ungodly cap space you'll have at a Jordon Clarkson and Batum and suddenly you'll have a very deep, very young team that will challenge for .500.

Ideally though they'd trade like Okafor, their two firsts in this draft for Jimmy Butler straight up.

[threrf23]

And I'm not sure how legit Brown is, but I like him.

He's one of the guys that I expect teams to find intriguing after the workouts. Has work to do on his all around game, but his athleticism and strength is definitely NBA level.

So you're saying he's like, Kedrick Brown?

He's a poor shooter, TO prone and foul prone. He is unproven, and all around fits the profile of many busts that have come before him.

[tlee324]

And I'm not sure how legit Brown is, but I like him.

He's one of the guys that I expect teams to find intriguing after the workouts. Has work to do on his all around game, but his athleticism and strength is definitely NBA level.

So you're saying he's like, Kedrick Brown?

He's a poor shooter, TO prone and foul prone. He is unproven, and all around fits the profile of many busts that have come before him.

Doesn't appear to be anything like Kedrick Brown; I think that's not just a negative outlook, but a way off outlook. Not even Jeff Green, either, as Green and Brown (besides sharing last names as colors) were so passive, it was embarrassing. Jaylen Brown (Hmmm also sharing a color as a last name...) is the opposite of passive. I think the shooting and fouls improve with more time, since he's a freshman, but most players that have to carry a heavy load have turnovers. I'm not carrying the guy's water, but I do think he's good enough skill-wise and has the physical gifts and youth to make people think hard of not taking a shot on him.

[celticfan42487]

He's one of the guys that I expect teams to find intriguing after the workouts. Has work to do on his all around game, but his athleticism and strength is definitely NBA level.

So you're saying he's like, Kedrick Brown?

He's a poor shooter, TO prone and foul prone. He is unproven, and all around fits the profile of many busts that have come before him.

Doesn't appear to be anything like Kedrick Brown; I think that's not just a negative outlook, but a way off outlook. Not even Jeff Green, either, as Green and Brown (besides sharing last names as colors) were so passive, it was embarrassing. Jaylen Brown (Hmmm also sharing a color as a last name...) is the opposite of passive. I think the shooting and fouls improve with more time, since he's a freshman, but most players that have to carry a heavy load have turnovers. I'm not carrying the guy's water, but I do think he's good enough skill-wise and has the physical gifts and youth to make people think hard of not taking a shot on him.

I think the best way to describe Jaylen Brown is, ideal height for a SG or SF with a good body. Endless slasher with a questionable jump shot and questionable consistency.

6'7, 225+ pounds, great wingspan that can play the 4 because of it. Top tier level athleticism. Plays above the backboard F the rim.

He could bust sure, but you pretty much know what you're starting with. A good body, and a guy who will slash to the basket endlessly. You work from there to try and get the jumper up in style. Get a step back.

The big bust potential with him is if his handles and first step doesn't allow him to slash in the NBA as well as it does in college. He's kind of a dumb bull in that way.

He has upside though, because if he does add a step back jumper, becomes consistent, and mentally develops. Then you have a good scoring 3. Lots of upside, potential bust. If you made him on NBA 2k15 you'd just pick a SF slasher and boom, perfect.

But yeah, just massive massive upside. I wouldn't be shocked if Ainge falls in love with him in the draft and feels he has to take him because if he develops in 3 years he could be a Jimmy Butler himself.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Yup, Jaylen could end up an all-star. Supposedly the spacing and offense were awful for his team last season, which makes him look worse (even if he contributed to it). Think he could slide to 9 or 10 on draft night.. But we'll see how the mocks shift over the next few weeks.

[threrf23]

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.

[ParticleMan]

The Hawaii game was a disaster, it came days after their team leader and PG broke his hand in practice, and there were rumors of the coach bolting, not to mention a harassment scandal in the works. the whole thing was a ****. you can say that a true player rises above all that but that was not the same cal team that was actually playing pretty well heading into the tourney, and Jaylen was a big part of that.

Jaylen Brown should have stayed in school like Rabb but someone will take a flier on him in the early lotto. Too much strength and athleticism, and a good finisher. Solid kid too, good work ethic and buys in defensively. Obviously his jumper is a concern but that is the one thing that can (though doesn't always) improve markedly. Also doesn't really understand how to use his gifts best, still needs to be coached up. But it's not inconceivable he could end up being the best player coming out of this draft.

[b3n]

I am so bored by the options at #3. For a guy with such an awesome name, Bender is snoozeville as a prospect. Dunn is the kind of guy you are happy to take in the late lotto but a big meh at #3. Jaylen Brown is latest iteration of Maggette/DeRozan.

If we keep it I have a feeling Danny will go with Jamal Murray. He's got the highest ceiling in terms of pure scoring ability, even if he's the least athletic guy in the top 10.

And we all know we need another combo guard.

I'm in the Jamal Murray camp. I don't see us taking him straight up at #3, but trading down for him (I read someone mentioning #3 for #5 & Minny's 2017 1st - I'd like something like that). I found this interesting:

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/stephen-curry
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jamal-murray

Anyone else see some similarities?

These are things that I don't think anybody ever said about Steph:

"In limited situations looks timid with the ball when not attempting to score ... The tools and effort are there for Murray to be an above average defender, but will often lose focus off the ball ... Will gamble for steals and hurt the team defensively ... "

But, Murray's growing on me in general.

Agreed. They have some differing skill sets, but some similarities. Murray's scouting report isn't quite as glowing, but common traits like confidence, poise, range, natural scoring ability, shooting volume & efficiency, putting pressure on the defense, being a clutch performer; those things stuck out to me.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

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/

[greenroom31]

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....

[165bows]

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.

[GreenBloodedC]

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.

[KamikazeK]

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....

Give 'em #3 and Sully.

[165bows]

Please no.

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.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

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.

[Murta]

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.

It'd be so funny if Lakers traded for Cousins (not gonna happen because Kings won't trade him, but IF) on draft-day and Simmons ignoring Philly made them definitely decide to go with Ingram.

[165bows]

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.

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.

[JBroderick]

It depends how bad Philly wants Dunn, I think we can get more than just Okafor for the number 3 pick, they are leaning Ben Simmons in the draft well Dario Saric their euro prospect is essentially the same type of player, he could come into play or their pick next year which is a deeper draft and Philly still isn't a playoff team, and if other teams want Dunn just as bad it could turn into a bidding war, I just read Dunn refused to workout for us and Phoenix and doesn't want either team to draft him well Minnesota could come with the 5 pick and other assets in order to get Dunn, we still could draft Murray or Hield and get another assortment of assets along with them, all a team like Minny or another team that wants Dunn does is up the ante in Philly, I think Okafor and Saric/Pick is the best case scenario