:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12874673/20130331_bsd_sd2_007.0.jpg)
ESPN Insider Chad Ford came out with his second mock draft today and he has the Celtics slotted to pick Orangeman Michael Carter-Williams at #16. Here's Ford's take:
Analysis: With Rajon Rondo's future up in the air, Carter-Williams could be a very good pick here. The Celtics already are accustomed to having a long, athletic point guard who can't shoot. His size would allow him to share the backcourt with Avery Bradley. Some scouts have Carter-Williams ranked as high as No. 5 on their boards, so landing him at No. 16 would be a steal.
Ford's right. At #16, MCW would be a steal on par with getting Jared Sullinger last year at #21. Both were not only projected to be lottery picks by many experts, but potentially in the top five. Just as Ford states, the Celtics' off-season could take a lot of directions and not until Kevin Garnett makes a decision do we even have a clue of what the road map looks like for Danny Ainge.
MCW is a great value pick, but it's no secret that the Celtics need size. In Ford's first mock, he had Gonzaga big man Kelly Olynyk going to Boston with Carter-Williams going to Dallas at #13. With Utah possibly parting ways with Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, he revised his draft and moved Olynyk up to the Jazz at #14.
If Danny doesn't go with another Syracuse guy with his third straight pick (Fab Melo and Kris Joseph were picked #22 and #52) and decides to shore up the front court, he'll have his choice of several role player types as well. Ford projects Rudy Gobert, Steven Adams, Mason Plumlee, and Jeff Withey to be available later in the first round. If KG comes back, I'd love to see Danny trade down and grab Withey. He had a great senior season at Kansas and could contribute immediately if Melo still doesn't have his NBA legs. Danny could also choose to trade up in the draft to grab Olynyk or even Dario Saric, Gorgui Dieng, or Cody Zeller.