With the NBA Draft rapidly approaching, and the
Boston Celtics
moving back from the first overall selection to the third, many questions have risen about whether General Manager Danny Ainge will use the draft pick or trade it in a package for a superstar.
As you can see by the title, I believe they will keep the pick and draft Florida State freshman forward Jonathan Isaac, and here is why.
Boston has a logjam at the guard position. (Photo by Getty Images)
Boston has a logjam at the guard position. All-NBA guard Isaiah Thomas had a career year, averaging about 29 points and six assists on 46 percent from the field. He earned the nickname “The King of the Fourth Quarter” after a 15-game span in January in which he averaged 13.6 points in the fourth quarter alone. Even with his defensive issues, he is clearly the Celtics’ franchise player.
Shooting guard Avery Bradley is a two-time All-Defensive player. He has improved his field goal percentage from last season by about two percent while also increasing his total rebounds by over 100. One can make an argument that he is the Celtics’ “best” overall player because of his prowess on both sides of the floor.
On the bench, Boston has Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier.
Smart is a physical defensive guard who can rebound and play make. His jump shooting is still poor, but it has been constantly improving. In this season’s playoffs, Smart shot about 40 percent from three, which is a huge jump from his 28 percent mark during the regular season.
Terry Rozier, similar to Smart, is not a great jump shooter, but excels at rebounding and playmaking. His per 36-minute stat line is about 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game. Rozier and Smart are great depth guards who add a needed level of toughness and defense.
With all of these guards on the roster for the foreseeable future, there was clearly no need for the Celtics to draft Washington’s freshman guard Markelle Fultz, who is widely recognized as this year’s top talent in the draft.
The glaring weakness for the Celtics is their rebounding and defense, as they ranked 27th in total rebounds, 23rd in total blocks and 18th in total steals. Ideally, the Celtics will add a versatile scoring wing who can improve their defense and rebounding.
In today’s position-less NBA, a 7-foot wing player that can shoot, attack the rim and guard multiple positions is invaluable.
Isaac’s length and athleticism will allow him to guard the one through four positions with ease. Stronger forwards may be able to bully him in the paint, although because many NBA teams are transitioning to playing small ball, his versatility will undoubtedly translate.
Ainge also loves the combination of size and ability that players like Kevin Durant possess, and Isaac fits that exact mold. Granted, Isaac’s college numbers (12 PTS, 7.8 TRB, 1.2 AST, 1.2 STL and 1.5 BLK) are far inferior to Durant’s (25.8 PTS, 11.1 TRB, 1.3 AST, 1.9 STL and 1.9 BLK), although they both have similar 6-foot-11 210-pound frames, while shooting over 35 percent from three and 50 percent from the field.
Jonathan Isaac is the perfect fit for Boston. (Photo by FSView)
Isaac was the very first prospect brought in by the Celtics this offseason and according to an SBNation report, Isaac “won’t work out for teams picking after No. 4”. This is interesting considering Isaac is projected to be picked outside of the top five by the majority of draft experts.
One theory by Boston Sports fan Mike Lichtenstein, who appeared Monday on The Felger & Massarotti sports radio show, is that Ainge promised Isaac that the Celtics are going to move back in the draft and take him with the third selection. This would explain why Isaac has only worked out for two teams, twice with the Phoenix Suns who have the fourth pick and once with the Celtics.
Boston then brought in Fultz for a workout, although clearly they have no interest in him after trading the first overall pick to Philadelphia.
The player that most people believe the Celtics will select is Josh Jackson, although he has refused to work out for the Celtics. In my opinion, this rules him out as an option for Boston.
Making this trade with Philadelphia would be foolish if Boston expects to take Jackson anyway, as multiple reports have the Lakers showing interest to take him with the second overall pick.
Last season, Ainge spent the third overall pick on Jaylen Brown, even though he was projected to be a late top ten selection, showing that he has no problem getting his guy. I believe this year it will be a similar case.
Isaac to Boston seems inevitable.
There is a lot of speculation that the Celtics will draft Duke freshman Jayson Tatum, although his lack of defensive prowess and offensive efficiency make Isaac seem like a much better fit.
Featured Image by CelticsBlog.com
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