Pre-Draft Lottery Projection: 11 (-3)
Are the Celtics making this pick to fill a future hole, or to prepare a trade package for Anthony Davis? Either way, Bol Bol is the right move. Regardless if Al Horford opts into his player option or if he negotiates a long-term deal, he still turns 33 on Sunday. With a core of players still on their rookie deals, Boston will need to begin exploring for a starting caliber center that will still be with the team in five or more years.
If they do decide to deal the pick, no prospect left on the board carries nearly as much intrigue as Bol. He could very well become a top five player from this year’s draft class, and Boston will be banking on selling his sky-high ceiling in return for Davis.
Pre-Draft Lottery Projection: 17 (+2)
Detroit Pistons fans will do well to wipe their memories of the unfortunate career of Stanley Johnson and head into next season with a shred of optimism about this selection. If you talk yourself out of every flawed prospect, you’ll miss out on the diamonds in the rough.
Besides, Nassir Little has a much more versatile and efficient offensive game than Johnson ever did. Little was a very effective scorer inside the arc and a strong free throw shooter, if he can correct his three-point shooting woes and get back to how he shot in high school he would look like an absolute steal at 15. It doesn’t hurt that Little’s 7-foot-2 wingspan offers higher defensive potential against NBA wings. High upside and filling a positional need is hard to come by outside the lottery.