Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix has the Celtics selecting Lousiville’s Gorgui Dieng in his initial mock draft:
With or without the core of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce — two players who may not be in Boston when training camp opens — the Celtics need size. Dieng, 23, has a defensive reputation (he was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season after swatting 2.5 shots and pulling down 9.4 rebounds per game), but his offensive game is better than most think. Dieng is a strong passer with a decent mid-range jump shot. Scouts also say he is one of the best screen men in the draft.
With all due respect to Shavlik Randolph, DJ White, Chris Wilcox and Fab Melo, I endorse the selection of Dieng. He’s long, athletic and possesses a motor on the boards.
It doesn’t matter that Dieng is one of the best screen men in the draft, once a big man puts on the Celtics uniform he becomes a target for cheap illegal screen calls.
Media mock drafts have the Celtics selecting Dennis Schroeder (PG), Kelly Olynyk (C) and Michael Carter-Williams (PG).
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
