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Boston Celtics: 2015 NBA Draft Grades

By Eric Laboissonniere

Jan 10, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Terry Rozier (0) dribbles as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) defends in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Cardinals 72-71 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Terry Rozier (0) dribbles as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) defends in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Cardinals 72-71 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics did something pretty surprising last night in the 2015 NBA Draft: they actually ended up staying in their draft slots and selected four new players.

According to general manager Danny Ainge, the Celtics were on the phones all night trying to make a trade, but the team could not find a feasible deal.

It is a little disappointing that the Celtics did not trade up into the lottery, and that they did not trade their picks for a sexy free agent. But in the end, the team did draft four college basketball players that made a name for themselves at the collegiate level. Here is a look at each player with a grade for each pick.

No. 16: Terry Rozier (SG, Louisville)

Terry Rozier might have been shocking to many people, since players like Bobby Portis, Kevon Looney and Sam Dekker were still on the board, but the Celtics got their guy in Rozier at No. 16. Rozier is another addition to an already crowded backcourt, which makes one wonder if the Celtics will be trying to make a move.

All that aside, lets look at Rozier’s skill-set. He is a fantastic defender and he knows how to get to rim. He gets to the free throw line a lot, which is something that coach Brad Stevens is certainly going to love.

Even though he has some great things going for him, he still has to answer many questions at the next level. He is a very streaky shooter and an inconsistent scorer, but when he is on, boy is he on. He also is too small to be a shooting guard, and he really does not play like a point guard, so he will have to improve his ball-handling skills and court awareness at the next level. Rozier certainly can be a good NBA player one day, and he could be a great fit on many teams, but Boston is not one of them at the moment.

Grade: C-

No. 28: R.J. Hunter (SG, Georgia State)

The Celtics struck gold with R.J. Hunter at pick No. 28. The Celtics obviously needed to add some three-point shooting, and Hunter might have been the best pure shooter in the draft (along with Devin Booker from Kentucky). Hunter slid down all the way to pick No. 28, which was a little surprising, and the Celtics made sure to capitalize on the opportunity. Hunter is a winner, he has great length, and he can shoot the lights out.

Hunter will need to step up on the defensive end in the NBA and he will have to put on some weight since he will be playing on the wing for the Celtics. Hunter is a perfect fit in Boston and he has mid-major ties, which is something that coach Stevens will not mind.

Grade: A

No. 33: Jordan Mickey (PF, LSU) 

Well, the Celtics were searching for a rim protector like Willie Cauley-Stein, but instead they ended up with Jordan Mickey, who led the nation in blocks per game last season. He is a very athletic big man who will be able to protect the rim at the next level. He also has an impressive low-post game, and he can hit the midrange jumper.

Mickey will not be able to be a stretch-4 because of his inability to shoot from outside, and he is a little undersized to play in the paint at the next level. He is a powerful low-post player that will be able to be a good NBA player if he sticks to his niche, which is protecting the rim, rebounding, and low-post scoring.

Mar 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Jordan Mickey (25) blocks the shot by North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Lennard Freeman (10) during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Jordan Mickey (25) blocks the shot by North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Lennard Freeman (10) during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Grade: B+

No. 45: Marcus Thornton (SG, William & Mary)

Another guard to add into the mix will be Marcus Thornton from William & Mary. He will probably not see the floor this season for the Celtics, but he has some potential in the future to be a solid backup guard. He is a great shooter, and he is pretty athletic for his position.

Thornton was kind of a confusing pick since there was still some players on the board that could have been useful for the Celtics, which is why Thornton was definitely a draft and stash pick for the Celtics. He will need to improve on defense if he ever wants to see the floor in Boston, but he can shoot, which is never a bad thing.

Grade: C+

Overall

The Celtics did not make much noise on draft night by staying put at all of their draft slots, but they did end up taking some great players with excellent value that will fill some of the Celtics’ needs. Hunter and Mickey could easily be steals for where the Celtics got them in the draft, Hunter will add three-point shooting and Mickey will add rim-protection, all of which will help the Celtics.

Rozier was taken way too high at No. 16, especially since Portis, Looney, and Dekker were all still on the board. That Rozier pick is a hard one to understand because he is very similar to Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. Rozier might have been one of the most questionable first round picks of last night. Thornton is a guy that we might not see play in a Celtics uniform, but his shooting can take him a long way in this league if he can make shots at the next level.

The Celtics were a little disappointing on draft night, but Hunter and Mickey are two draft picks that Celtics’ fans should be very excited about.

Overall Grade: C+

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

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