Boston Celtics: Early look at 5 2018 NBA Draft prospects, Part 1
Because of the trade that sent the Boston Celtics’ No. 1 draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics in turn received a hull of first round picks. One of those selections could be another top prospect. Here is a look at five prospects Boston could target in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Boston Celtics have been known to stack up on draft picks, and either send them a way as a major trade asset, or to bring in top players. In the past two drafts, the Celtics were very high on the draft board, and with those selections, they drafted Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Both of those players have been fantastic players, and I think it’s safe to say the team and their fans are happy with how things have gone so far. This season the Celtics may have the chance to land another top prospect. Their trade with Philadelphia 76ers included the Los Angeles Lakers’ draft pick.
The Celtics will get this pick if the Lakers land between the second and fifth pick. Of course, that means that the Celtics are hoping the Lakers get the second pick in the draft because well… that is the best scenario. But, I don’t think the Celtics would complain if it were any of the other three draft spots.
The 2018 NBA Draft class is shaping up to be another great one. The 2017 draft class has been nothing short of spectacular. This league has a lot of great talent already brewing, but this 2018 draft class is just going to add to it.
There are plenty of players that would be great to have on the Celtics roster, so they really can’t go wrong if they end up with any one of those four picks in the top five. The team isn’t really lacking anything, and their 29-10 record reflects that. The lack of depth and help in the front court are the biggest neds.
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Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are all locks for a long time. However, it’s the frontcourt that looks to be a little shaky. By all means, I am not concluding that Al Horford and Aron Baynes are not good, because that is not the case. Baynes has been great for the Celtics, but he can easily be upgraded in the starting lineup. Plus he is 31 years old.
Horford is also getting up there in age, and though he still is playing high level basketball, he’s also 31. With the possibility of a high draft pick in this year’s draft, finding a long-term replacement is something to consider.
Depth has easily been the Celtics’ Achilles heel to this point. It also doesn’t help that this team has had so many injuries over the course of this season. There have only been three players who have been able to play in all 39 games. The bench is in the bottom half of the league in scoring output, and a big part of that is because of the lack of talent. Beyond Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and maybe Daniel Theis, the Celtics have no one to help contribute in the scoring column.
Smart, and Rozier are not the greatest options in terms of scoring the ball. Beyond them, you’re asking for a bunch of rookies or G League-level talent to help win you games.
If the pick lands between the second and fifth pick in the draft, then look for the Celtics to improve the depth, or help the frontcourt out. Here are five possible draft prospects the team should look at near the top of the 2018 NBA Draft.