According to several league sources, along with SI.com, it seems that Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge is “locked in” on taking Arizona power forward Aaron Gordon with the sixth overall pick in this year’s NBA draft. While everyone has been speculating on the possibility of Boston trading for Kevin Love, and trading that pick to Minnesota it would appear now that the Celts plan to use the pick unless some sort of blockbuster trade opportunity presents itself, which seems very unlikely. If they don’t pull off a trade for Love, then the Celtics will be in full rebuild mode. If that is the case then it makes sense to use the pick on whoever they like most after the combine and workouts, and could even lead to Ainge finally giving in and trading Rajon Rondo which he has been hesitant to do in the past.
Gordon is arguably the most athletic player in the draft and is certainly the most athletic big man who will be available. He has tons of potential to go along with the natural athleticism, and could be a monster in the pick and roll and could make an impact right away on the defensive end with his shot blocking ability. However, Gordon is one of the least polished prospects in the draft and doesn’t have a shooting touch to speak of. He lives off of his athleticism and did such all year in college, but in the NBA which is filled with the most elite athletes in the world, he will have to develop more than layups and dunks to warrant being taken at number six.
In a draft that is this loaded, I thought Gordon may fall to the late lottery simply because he may take the longest to develop into an NBA ready player for a whole season. If Boston takes Gordon I think they are then handcuffed with Rondo, or at the very least will have to find another guard who can initiate offense and distribute the ball like he is able to because as good as Gordon could be, he will never be a guy who will have an offense run through him and most definitely isn’t going to be a player who can handle the ball and create his own shot consistently.
To me it seems clear who the Celtics should be targeting at the number six spot if they intend to keep the pick, and that is Marcus Smart. Draft Smart, trade Rondo and start a completely new rebuild. Allow Brad Stevens to work some magic with Smart in his rookie season and allow him to develop while you secure another lottery pick in next year’s draft which by the way, will also be loaded. Smart is the kind of passionate and sometimes cocky player who the Boston fan base will have no problem embracing, and also a guy they will love to watch so much that they won’t mind watching their team end up in the lottery once again. Smart would be a bargain at number six and him, along with the assets Ainge could get for Rondo, would be one hell of a start to a rebuild.
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