As it stands today, the valued first-round pick from the Sacramento Kings (who are 13-12 on the season) would hold the 14th and final spot in the lottery. The pick would have just a 2.4% chance to move up and land in the top 4.
It's very likely that the pick could break into the top 10 in a months time as the young Kings team should come back to earth after a surprisingly hot start. With that being said, we'll still take a look at what prospects the Celtics should target as the odds currently stand with a selection in the late lottery.
Darius Garland, Guard, Vanderbilt
Garland is a shifty point-guard who will make a name for himself in the NBA as a three-point marksman. Though he has the tools to be a dominant scorer at the next level, the freshman doesn't come without risks. His season was cut short just 5 games in due to a meniscus tear in his left knee. Scouts have also questioned his ability to run an offense. If the Celtics don't feel very confident in retaining Terry Rozier, Garland may be their best option in replacing him through the draft.
Gafford is one of the most overlooked prospects in college basketball. The sophomore big-man may not have the highest ceiling on offense, but he'll come into the NBA with a defined role - one similar to Houston's Clint Capela. Gafford is a force down low, averaging over 3 blocks and 13 rebounds per 40 minutes of action. Though Robert Williams has looked solid in very limited action, it wouldn't hurt the Celtics to take a flier on a big with a similar skill-set, as he sports one of the highest floors in the draft class.
Naz Reid is a very tough prospect to gauge. He's built like a '90's bully-ball center though he tends to shy away from banging down low. Still, Reid's ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot the three at his size is uncanny. Reid would be a perfect candidate to fill the large shoes of Al Horford once his game hits a decline, as he would compliment the rest of the starting unit so well.
Luguentz Dort, Guard, Arizona State
With a stocky 6-4 frame and a knack for scoring inside and playing physical defense, Dort's game is very reminiscent to Marcus Smart's when he was at Oklahoma State, though Dort is a bit more gifted athletically. Averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists just 8 games into his freshman campaign, Dort's questionable offensive instincts and wary shooting form hurt his stock. Like the aforementioned Garland, Dort would also be a solid candidate to replace Rozier.
Porter will be stuck on the sidelines for the entire season as he tore his ACL and MCL in a pre-season scrimmage. The younger brother of 2018 lottery pick Michael Porter Jr. had a promising freshman campaign, averaging just under 10 points and 7 rebounds with really impressive shooting splits, including a 36.4% clip (on 3.3 attempts per game) from beyond the arc. Porter has drawn comparisons to Al Horford, due to his ability to handle the ball, facilitate and drain threes. If he can manage to make a full comeback from the injuries, Porter would be a great target for the Celtics.
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