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Boston Celtics: Redrafting the last decade of first round picks

By Reston Kaufman

BOSTON - JUNE 24: From left, Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, draft picks Carsen Edwards, Grant Williams, Romeo Langford, and Tremont Waters, and General Manager Danny Ainge take part in an introductory press conference at the Auerbach Center in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston on June 24, 2019. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - JUNE 24: From left, Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, draft picks Carsen Edwards, Grant Williams, Romeo Langford, and Tremont Waters, and General Manager Danny Ainge take part in an introductory press conference at the Auerbach Center in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston on June 24, 2019. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Boston Celtics Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images /

Original pick: Grant Williams

New pick: Kevin Porter Jr.

As much as fans love the smile of Grant Williams along with his gritty style of play, there was a better option for Boston at the selection. With Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker as the only two reliable guards, having another would not hurt.

Kevin Porter Jr. fell in the draft due to his injury issues at the University of Southern California, however, his injuries were not expected to last into his first season in the NBA (which they did not).

In college, Porter showed promise as a defender and was one of the Pac-12’s best shooters, when he played. But the red flags were enough to get general managers worried.

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In comparison, Grant Williams, who was generally healthy throughout college, has struggled with injuries in his first season and has yet to see significant action. Wiliams has had problems with his offensive production, particularly his range, while small and not extremely agile. However, he is one of the hardest workers and has extreme strength.

Still, with Robert Williams on the team, Grant Williams is not an essential part of the rotation. Robert does a lot of the work Grant is doing on the Celtics currently, amidst his aggressive defense, and ability to set lots of picks.

Porter, a score-first guard, has already started to show his worth in the NBA. His efficiency is not eye-opening, but with one of the most dysfunctional offensive units around him, it is hard in itself to get open. In 23 minutes per game, Porter has scored 10 points per game, with nearly a steal a night as well.

Without a score first option off the bench, the Celtics would love to have Kevin Porter Jr, in order to light a spark in the second unit every once in a while. And he would not breach the fabled Celtics perimeter defense.

In 2018 the Celtics were able to pick Robert Williams, who has the possibility to become great but has yet to show promise. Was he the right pick?

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