With rumors of free NBA agencies shaking the sports world, the future of the Celtics is unresolved. They missed the great man Anthony Davis, who is going join LeBron James in Los Angeles with the Lakers. Sources told Boston Herald that Kyrie Irving is preparing to leave and sign with the Brooklyn nets. Oh, and Al Horford, Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier are all free agents this summer.
So, what's next for Boston? With the NBA 2019 project approaching June 20, they have an opportunity at hand with the choices of projects 14, 20 and 22. They could condition them to go further in the draft or to get a first round choice . They could trade them against an established player, or they could keep the selections and build a team around the ghosts – Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jalen Brown.
Whatever the plan of Danny Ainge, it seems more and more that young people will be part of it. Here's what the experts say about the Celtics that could be committed on Thursday:
Adrian Wojnarowski and Jay Williams, ESPN
# 14 Brandon Clarke (PF, Gonzaga)
(Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)-Harry How / Getty Images
woj: "Replacement of the Marcus Morris freestyle player … a 22-year-old player can play and play now … The only concern is that he's a bit one-dimensional in the front of power." I do not see him play the little ball. "
Williams: "I could see Brandon Clarke bring value … He's playing older..He's a double-double machine, led his league [and team] in blocks. He's a hard-nosed kid, he understands how to play and he's a floor spacer: he can knock out three [pointer] from anywhere on the field. "
Drew Packerman and Ben Couch, NBA.com
# 14 PJ Washington (PF, Kentucky)
(AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)-AP Photo / Charlie Riedel
"Great strong man who can bounce and score in various ways; Solid 3-point shooter that shows the NBA lineup "
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher's report:
# 14 PJ Washington (PF, Kentucky)
"The Boston Celtics could see a positionless prospect at PJ Washington, whose improved conditioning and shooting – plus a 7" span – could allow head coach Brad Stevens to play it in several places on the ground … Celtics could detect the value in the middle of the first round for its high and fit floor. "
# 20 Tyler Herro (SG, Kentucky)
(AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)– (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)
"The Celtics could still use shooters to surround their leading scorers, and Herro is surprised to surprise his coaches with his manual form and reach effortlessly."
# 22 Keldon Johnson (SG, Kentucky)
(Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)-Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images
"..Promise related to his ability to score downhill, his free kicks and his defensive potential, it is in the best interest to be considered in the category following the lottery. Even if his cap is limited, he would give Boston a hard competitor, although it is also possible that the Celtics are trading their third player in the first round. "
Wasserman's Additional Rankings: Kevin Porter Jr (14), Mfiondu Kabengele (20), Nassir Little (22)
Jeremy WooSports Illustrated:
# 14. Goga Bitadaze (C, Euroleague)
Bitadze is considered by some as the best center of the project … If Boston thinks that the best player available to this choice, it would be a good option … Its impressive productivity as a teenager bodes well, and its size, its Inner skills, physical sound and rider development are legitimate. "
# 20. Kevin Porter Jr (SG, USC)
(AP Photo / David Zalubowski)– (AP Photo / David Zalubowski)
"The Celtics can afford to make a big jump here, with three first-turn players. Porter has a great variance of results right now, but it would be a fascinating risk / reward choice for them here … Boston could have the right kind of list to help isolate his early development path. "
# 22. Bol Bowl (C, Oregon)
(AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)-AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)
"In the end, his landing point will depend on who has access to his medical information and the confidence he has in taking the risk. We think that Boston is an interested party … The advantage related to his ability to shoot at three points and block the shots remains intriguing. "
Additional Sports Illustrated picks: Goga Bitzadaze (14), PJ Washington (20), Luguentz Dort (22)
Kevin O'Connor, The ring
# 14 Jaxson Hayes (Big, Texas)
(AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall, File)– (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall, File)
"A sports center whose experience as a wide quarterback in high school has given it the ideal tools for a great runner."
# 20 Nicolas Claxton (Forward, Georgia)
(Joshua L. Jones / Athens Banner-Herald via AP)– (Joshua L. Jones / Athens Banner-Herald via AP)
"A tall, slender center that stands out as a super switchable defender and a versatile offensive player, he develops his rider … .Shades of Al Horford …"
# 22 Kevin Porter Jr (SG, USC)
"A powerful and stylish marker that shows the skills needed to become a star one day, but who has to do everything possible. the pieces together. "
Ringer's additional choices: Grant Williams (# 20) and Dylan Windler (# 22).
Matt Nolander, CBS Sports
14 Tyler Herro (SG, Kentucky)
"The Herro training in Boston, in particular, has been a lot. His tools and potential role as a rookie with Boston are perfect for Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens. Offensive British players had moderate or better success at the end of the league. Herro's has absolute confidence in him that makes him a potential candidate in a pool of relatively fluid candidates in the 12-18 age range. "
20. Keldon Johnson (SG, Kentucky)
"Could be considered a suitable score option # 4 in the best of scenarios, in four or five years. Johnson was Kentucky's best player in the first half of last season. He then evolved slowly as his role changed. He has a good size and fulfills the role of the wing well. In short: a complete first round. "
22. Goga Bitadaze (C, Euroleague)
"The center did not die in the NBA. In Bitadze, you have one of the top three players in this project at his post. He would have excelled in Euroleague in a limited time and has been cautious over the past four months. Take a look at this model and you will see that there are fewer international perspectives than what we saw three years ago. "
Kyle Boone, CBS Sports
14. Cameron Johnson (SF, UNC)
(AP Photo / Charlie Riedel, File)– (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel, File)
"Excellent shooter from anywhere on the field and in virtually every situation – punctual, inactive, in transition; good shot and release; polite and experienced player; can play well and do little things like cut, filter, move well to be a good player. "
20. Tyler Herro (G, Kentucky)
"A bucket of walking; excellent shooter; dynamic scorer; quick release of shooting, which will result seamlessly to the NBA; improved finish with a lot of potential as a liftman; playmaker and underestimated smuggler; constant without the ball in the offensive. " (Choice of CBS Sports)
# 22. Keldon Johnson (G, Kentucky)
"Athletic, play high engine, do a lot of things like crush the boards, eliminate the lost balls, cut and get out of the ball, good driver in a straight line to the basket, potential to be a consistent three-point shooter out of jacks in the NBA. "CBS Sports pick)
