Year one of the Boston Celtics' rebuild netted the sixth pick in the draft and thankfully, that means a very solid prospect in this deep pool.
And, when the rebuild is as vast as the one Danny Ainge is trying, the Celtics are in the lucky position of being able to take anyone in this draft and that player having a chance right away to compete for minutes.
Backcourt seems like a good place for Boston to target. Avery Bradley and Jerryd Bayless are free agents and Rajon Rondo's future is the biggest problem to be solved.
Rondo has one year left on his contract and it's hard to pinpoint whether he wants to stick out this new plan until the end. He could be moved in the offseason, just as easily as remaining with the C's long term.
Could the Celtics tab Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart with the sixth pick, securing their floor general after the Rondo regime runs its course? Otherwise, there aren't many great guard options at No. 6. Gary Harris of Michigan State or Michigan's Nick Stauskas could be in play.
But Boston is probably in the mode of taking the best player available. The Celtics can't go wrong if they try to fortify any spot on the roster, which means Arizona's Aaron Gordon or Indiana's Noah Vonleh might make more sense in terms of their overall grades at No. 6.
The Celtics could also make a trade at any point, not just involving Rondo. Ainge traded a high pick for Ray Allen a long time ago, so an offer for Kevin Love isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Players under contract: G Rajon Rondo; F Gerald Wallace; F Brandon Bass; G/F Keith Bogans; C Vitor Faverani; C Kelly Olynyk; F Jared Sullinger; G Phil Pressey; F Chris Johnson
Free Agents: F/C Kris Humphries; G Jerryd Bayless; G Avery Bradley; C Joel Anthony (player option)
Draft History: 2013: Lucas Nogueira (16)
2012: Jared Sullinger (21), Fab Melo (22), Kris Joseph (51)
2011: MarShon Brooks (25), E'Twaun Moore (55)
2010: Avery Bradley (19), Luke Harangody (52)
2009: Lester Hudson (58)
[SportsNetwork.com]
