The Celtics are surely interested in Kevin Love – who just visited Boston – and their fans are dreaming of Carmelo Anthony, too.
If the Celtics pull off another star coup on the scale of adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen – or even a smaller one – they’ll probably surrender the No. 6 pick in the process.
But they go the conventional route and keep the selection?
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated:
That would Aaron Gordon, freshman forward from Arizona.
First of all, any draft rumors could be smokescreens. There’s often incentive to provide incorrect information to other teams.
However, if this intel is at least somewhat correct, I don’t condone this strategy.
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It’s too early in the process to lock into any player – especially Gordon.
Watching Gordon, it’s easy to become infatuated with his talent. He’s an elite athlete with excellent size. He moves so easily around the court, and he’s an impact defender. At just 19, he possesses an extraordinarily high ceiling.
But a closer examination reveals flaws. He can’t shoot. That he made just 42 percent of his free throws suggests he’s not close to developing a jumper. And for such a strong defender, he doesn’t get many steals or block many shots. That could be nothing, or it could be something. It deserves more scrutiny, though.
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No. 6 is not necessarily too high for Gordon to get drafted, but it’s too high to lock in on him. If the Celtics vet other prospects and still like Gordon, great. But make him earn it first.
