#3-Bender- trade him. I would shop him to every potential team as if we already picked him. I am interested in getting a top 14 pick in next year's draft and another top 15 first round pick this year to grab Deyonta Davis or Skal Labissiere as our project. I have no interest in a 4+ year project w/ Bender .
If they don't go this route: Hield, though would love him with 5th/6th pick. Buddy stood out on the court against good comp as they were ranked #1 in the country at one point. I think he is a good SG prospect and we could use an elite shooter that can step in next year. Young/Hunter are still projects.
#16- Sabonis/Ellenson/Brice Johnson. Say bye bye to Sully, and KO might not be too far behind. All 3 do different things, but they seem to work hard and Celtics need to keep picking average to slightly above average PF's in the middle part of the first round. Eventually they'll hit on a pick like this (right?!?) and land a Draymond Green or Paul Milsap. Wishful thinking.
#23- Thon Maker and a 1br condo lease in Portland for 2 (maybe 3) years. This is where I want the Celtics to take chances, not with the #3 pick in the draft. The Bargnani/Jan Vesely picks hurt way worse than the Fab Melo selection. I actually like Maker's potential more than Bender's.
#31- Ben Bentil. Another big man from Africa, though Bentil looks like he's more NBA ready. Again, bye bye Sully.
#35- Gary Payton II- Why not? If he's serviceable, we get another NBA great rooting for the Celtics. If not, sayonara
#45, 51, 58- Use a bunch of these picks to move around the board and get the guy I want, and hopefully get an early 2nd pick next year.
Roster:
guards: Thomas, Bradley, Hield, Rozier, Payton
wings: Smart, Crowder, Hunter, Young
bigs: Pau Gasol/Al Jefferson, A. Johnson, Sabonis/Ellenson, Olynyk, Mickey, Bentil
*Maker in D-league
With available money, I would make one over-paying splash on a veteran player on a short deal. Gasol and Jefferson would fit the bill. I would focus on building the draft pick reserves in order to move up next year and get one of the next Ben Simmons types, hopefully one that can shoot a little better.
This team is good enough to make the playoffs again (good exp for young guys) while preserving cap room for a sunny day. With some maneuvers should be able to pick 4-5 of the top 40 players of each of the next couple drafts.