Around the Mock Drafts 4/23/14

 Once again, Celtics fans turn their attention to the lottery and to combing the mock drafts for hints at which player may end up a Celtic this summer.   Mock drafts are an inexact science at best and especially before the lottery, they are even more inexact because we don't know what order the teams will be picking.  At present, most have the Celtics picking 5th, which very well be where they end up.  But, until the lottery breaks our hearts again,  we can always hope for a top 3 pick.  Here's a spin around some of the mock drafts to see who they have the Celtics picking.



CelticsBlog Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona

Aaron Gordon gets a lot of flack for his 42.2 free throw percentage, but he's a much better offensive player than he gets credit for. Gordon is smart and moves the ball well, which would fit well in Brad Stevens' motion offense, but he also brings an efficient three-point shot, at 35.5 percent this past season. Gordon doesn't turn 19-years-old until September, so he is one of the youngest players in the draft and has plenty of upside.

Defensively, Gordon is special. He uses his elite lateral quickness and long wingspan to defend multiple positions at a high level. But he's also one of the best off-ball defenders in the draft despite his youth, as he always seems to be in the right spot for rotations, close outs, and weak side help. Once Gordon reaches his prime, he could be a first-team All-NBA defender.

Sherrod Blakely CSNNE Julius Randle, F, Kentucky — And this begins the "best player available" portion of the draft.

Draft Express Dante Exum PG/SG

FanSided Julius Radle PF Kentucky

SI.com Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky

Boston has two young power forward prospects in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, but Randle's potential could be too much to pass up. Randle possesses a diverse offensive repertoire. He can score inside and out, drawing comparisons ranging from Zach Randolph to Michael Beasley. The Celtics figure to be active in trade talks this summer, so increasing the team's frontcourt depth should not be an issue.

NBA Draft Room Marcus Smart SG 6-4 Oklahoma State

A true baller. Plays with great intensity and effort.

Sporting News Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky.

Randle’s numbers this season—15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 50.1 percent shooting—indicate future NBA stardom. The knock on him is his relatively undersized wingspan and whether that will cost him in the NBA. But we won’t know how Randle measures for sure until the combine.

NBADraft.net Dante Exum 6-6 188 PG/SG Australia

ProBasketballDraft.com Marcus Smart PG SO Oklahoma State

Basketball Insider Julius Randle PF, 6-9 250 lbs. Fr. Kentucky 35

And, the grandaddy of all the Mock Drafts... Chad Ford's mock on ESPN Insider.

And, lest we forget amid all the excitement of a lottery pick, we also have the 17th pick in the draft.  Here is a little spin around the mocks as to who they see the Celtics taking with this pick.

Chad Ford's Mock on ESPN Insider Clint Capela COLLEGE: Switzerland HT: 6-11 WT: 222 POS: PF

The Celtics could make a long-term move with their second pick. Capela has NBA length and athleticism (think Serge Ibaka), but he's pretty far away from being an NBA player right now. Whether he sticks in Europe for a year or two or comes over now and learns the hard way, getting someone with athletic tools at this point in the draft is worth the gamble.

CelticsBlog Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse

Rajon Rondo is Boston's star point guard, but Tyler Ennis could be the long-term option if the captain is traded or leaves in free agency. Even if that doesn't happen, he's a huge upgrade as the backup point. Ennis is a classic distributor, with a 3.22 assist/turnover ratio this season. He's only 6-foot-2 but has terrific vision and creates for his teammates.

However, he also can shoot the three, at 35.3 percent this season. He's not afraid of "the moment" and has attempted a number of game-winning or tying shots for Syracuse. At this point, Ennis is easily the best player available and could warrant a "potential steal" label.

Draft Express Clint Capela PF 19 yrs; 6'11"; 211 lbs. Chalon, Intl

FanSided Tyler Ennis PG Syracuse

SI.com Kyle Anderson, G, UCLA

The success of Michael Carter-Williams this season has increased teams' fascination with taller point guards. Anderson is a natural playmaker who thrived when UCLA handed him the reins this season. Scouts question Anderson's speed and defense, but when paired with a two-guard who can defend point guards -- like, say, Avery Bradley -- those issues can be ironed out.

Sporting News Jerami Grant, SF, Syracuse.

Grant averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds as a sophomore, and his frame is a prototype for NBA small forwards. There is, however, the matter of his shooting—he took just 20 3-pointers in two seasons with Syracuse. But the Celtics are willing to take on a longer-term project with a high ceiling here.

NBADraft.net Zach LaVine 6-5 180 PG/SG UCLA Fr.

NBA-Draft.com Tyler Ennis College: Syracuse Position: PG Height : 6'2" Weight: 180

Sherrod Blakely CSNNE P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends — If the poor decisions he made at UNC are truly behind him, this could be the steal of the draft.

It's interesting to see the number of mocks that have the Celtics taking a power forward or a point guard. Anyway, that's a look at some of the mocks that are out there. We'll keep you updated as the new mocks come out and as more information becomes available.

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