The 2008 NBA Draft

[Real World]

The 2008 NBA Draft:

June 26, 2008, ESPN, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. ET

The Celtics have the 30th, and last pick in the 1st round, along with the 60th, and last pick of the 2nd round. Any idea's or opinions on who the Celtics might (should) draft?


I think the Celtics will look to trade out of the first round, and into the upper 2nd. They'll probably draft a foreignor that they can keep overseas. Their roster is somewhat set, and any spots that open up, will likely be filled by veterans. Also, the C's probably don't want a guaranteed deal on their salary cap next season. They're already into luxury territory, and will have to sign Posey to more money if he's going to stay.

 

[Wildo7]

They should start going Pioli and trade all their picks. If they could somehow trade the 30th and last to a team that will suck next year for their first that would be pretty sweet.

 

[Real World]

DraftExpress.com has us taking:

#30 Celtics
J.J. Hickson PF
19 years old; 6'9"; 242 lbs.
N.C. State, Freshman

#60 Celtics
Anton Ponkrashov PG/SG/SF
22 years old; 6'7"; 205 lbs.
Khimki, International

NBADraft.net

30. Boston
Nathan Jawai 6-10 270
PF/C Aus.1986

60. Boston
DeMarcus Nelson 6-2 198
SG Duke Sr.

Chad Ford of ESPN (this kid intrigues me. His name has been tossed around before)

#30 Boston

Ante Tomic Position: C
Height: 7-2
Weight: 237
Age: 21
Country: Croatia

The skinny: This low in the draft, the Celtics aren't likely to get a player they can use right away. Tomic has great upside and can continue to add strength in Croatia for the next few years until he's ready to play in the NBA.


No 2nd Round prediction

NBCSports.com

30. Celtics
Courtney Lee SG 6-5 200 Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky got into the Sweet 16 and battled UCLA because of this guy. He is 6-foot-5 and has 3-point range. He moves OK on defense, not great, but when you have to carry a team with offense, defense is a little tougher. Lee is a senior, so he has maturity and closer to NBA-ready than other off-guards.

InsideHoops.com

30. Boston:
DJ White (PF 6-9 250 Indiana)

SI.com Ian Thomsen

#30 Boston
J.R. Giddens - SG
New Mexico Sr. 6-5 208

This productive swingman might be able to provide scoring as a backup to Paul Pierce and Ray Allen next year.

 

[Real World]

They should start going Pioli and trade all their picks. If they could somehow trade the 30th and last to a team that will suck next year for their first that would be pretty sweet.

That's hard to do in the NBA. There are more protections on lottery picks than there are condoms in a Walgreens. They could get a lottery protected, or maybe top 20 protected 1st rounder for #30. That would be nice. It'll all depend on whether someone wants the pick really bad, and/or who's available. I'd like to see them draft a young big man with high upside, like a Tomic. Our current state gives us the ability to have a kid play overseas and improve, or come here and sit on the pine, while learning from the likes of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. I remember when Blatche was hanging around in the 2nd round 2 years ago, and hoping we'd get him. A young big like him would be sweet. Blatche is going to be a player, as is Amir Johnson. Usually I'm all over the draft cuz the Celtics suck. It's funny how this year I don't even really care. What a fun feeling.

 

[patriotspride]

didnt the celtics trade away this years first round pick to the timberwolves in the garnett trade?

 

[Kdo5]

didnt the celtics trade away this years first round pick to the timberwolves in the garnett trade?

next years.

 

[patriotspride]

next years.

i thought they gave up this years 1st rounder and next years. cool a first round pick this year sweet. i have confidence danny will get a good player.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm expecting nothing from the draft. They are picking too late. Finding guys that late or later is almost luck sometimes. I guess if anyone is gonna do it, Ainge has a decent shot.

 

[Real World]

didnt the celtics trade away this years first round pick to the timberwolves in the garnett trade?

No. They traded away the first round pick that Minnesotta sent us in the Wally Szerbiak for Ricky Davis deal. That pick was protected through the next millenium anyway. We did send one of our future firsts, but it's next years, in 2009.

BOSTON - The Boston Celtics announced today that they have acquired 10-time All-Star and 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, a 2009 first round draft pick (top three protected) and a return of Minnesota's conditional first round draft pick previously obtained in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade. Minnesota also receives cash considerations in the deal.

 

[Real World]

I'm expecting nothing from the draft. They are picking too late. Finding guys that late or later is almost luck sometimes. I guess if anyone is gonna do it, Ainge has a decent shot.

It's certainly a crap shoot at that point, but there have been some absolute steals too. The last few years picks at #30 were:

2007 - Philadelphia Petteri Koponen 6-4 195 PG Fin.1988

2006 - Portland Joel Freeland 6-11 225 PF England 1987

2005 - New York David Lee 6-9 230 PF Florida Sr.

2004 - Indiana David Harrison 7-0 270 C Colorado Jr.

2003 - Dallas Josh Howard 6-6 203 SG/SF Wake Forest Sr.

2002 - Sacramento Dan ****au 6-0 170 PG Gonzaga Sr.

2001 - San Antonio Tony Parker 6-1 180 PG (France) 1982

 

[BRiZ]

the smart thing to do would be to trade it for a 2009 1st from some crappy team so we could get a higher pick next year. Next year we will be picking in the same spot anyways. Pick up Chase Budinger next draft, hes a white larry bird that can dunk.

 

[Real World]

So who are the C's going to take tonight?

A couple of big moves went down today.

#1 - Jermaine O'Neill to Toronto for Nesterovic/TJ Ford

#2 - Richard Jefferson to Milwakee for Yi Jianlian/Bobby Simmons

 

[Kdo5]

Wait...the draft is tonight???

AWESOME, I am sick and there is something to do other than sleep.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm hoping teams screw up and let Ainge take Roberts at 30

 

[reflexblue]

I just relized that its,its the 26th and its 9:30 we must be getting close. I have to go check it out.

 

[reflexblue]

And on the clock NJ #21.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Arthur and Roberts should not be available right now. Either one should be a steal.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I would like the Celtics to take Mario Chalmers at #30. He should still be available since Detroit has Billups.

the smart thing to do would be to trade it for a 2009 1st from some crappy team so we could get a higher pick next year. Next year we will be picking in the same spot anyways. Pick up Chase Budinger next draft, hes a white larry bird that can dunk.

1. Anytime someone compares a guy to Larry Bird, I'm immediately skeptical.

2. The last pick of the 1st round of the NBA draft has very little value. I doubt we could get a future 1st rounder for it.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

I think Detroit is looking to move Billups before his value takes a big hit.

 

[Kdo5]

on teh clock.