What if: C's get 4th pick and only Ball available?

[Roy H.]

Don't overthink it. Take Ball, and ban his father from team facilities.

[Vermont Green]

I heard that Ball's dad never went into the UCLA locker room and never interfered with the coaches at all.   I don't think we need to worry about that.  Just do your scouting and pick the player you think is best.  If that is Ball, great.

[CFAN38]

I would be thrilled to see the Cs get Ball with anything other then the first pick.

I dislike the way his father is handling himself but in terms of a basketball player Ball is special. Like every other 18/19 year old prospect he has wholes in his game. He needs to finish better at the rim, create better off the dribble and gain muscle in order to defend. What fans must not loose sight of is the fact that this kid has truly elite court vision and awareness. When we have been blessed to experience "playoff Rondo" it has shown what a player with an elite mental capacity for the game is capable of. It was not a fluke that Ball made UCLA relevant this season.

His fit with the current roster is less then ideal but the top of the lottery is not a position to worry about fit, best player available is a must at that point. Outside the lottery I understand drafting for fit but not in the lottery.

I expect every team to rank Fultz as the #1 pick and after that the majority to still have Ball at #2. Looking at the teams currently in position for picks 1-10 only the Suns and T-Wolves are teams that I could image would pass on Ball for Jackson. For the Celtics I expect the tiers will be the following.

#1 Fultz

#2 Ball

#3 Tatum, Jackson

[Dino Pitino]

If this draft didn't have Fultz, Ball would be the obvious #1 pick. He has NBA range on his three already, that wack form works. He'd be a plus defender and distributor right away. If we get Ball, be happy.

[acieEarl]

You guys are crazy. Yea Ball's dad is a headache, and I'm sure if he got to choose he'd go to LA, but Ball is going to be really good in the NBA. Got the size, athleticism, and high IQ to play right away in the NBA. I wouldn't be upset taking him at 1.

[Smartacus]

I could live with it and if we take him In Danny I trust, but to be clear IMO Lonzo Ball is a distant 4.

[Ilikesports17]

Shop the pick but don't hesitate to take Ball. Unbelievable talent level for the #4 pick

[moiso]

I heard that Ball's dad never went into the UCLA locker room and never interfered with the coaches at all.   I don't think we need to worry about that.  Just do your scouting and pick the player you think is best.  If that is Ball, great.

He interfered plenty when Lonzo was in high school.  It would be funny if the Celtics gave him the Charles Oakley treatment.

[hwangjini_1]

If this draft didn't have Fultz, Ball would be the obvious #1 pick. He has NBA range on his three already, that wack form works. He'd be a plus defender and distributor right away. If we get Ball, be happy.

except for moving to the right and shooting. something he did zero times in college ball. but i am sure that if this total absense of such a shot continues in to the nba, it wont affect his career in the least. 

ball will probably be a good nba player, but the above coupled with his questionable defense are a concern. what makes you think he will be a plus defender when every scouting report says differently?

[SHAQATTACK]

I heard that Ball's dad never went into the UCLA locker room and never interfered with the coaches at all.   

That's good to hear .     I'm not against Ball as a player, he seems ok by himself  ,  if Fultz goes to Suns or Lakers ......and DA and CBS are satisfied with his interview and workout .  Then seems good to me to go 2nd or 3 th.   

I'll be crying watching Jackson on another team though 

[wiley]

adding Ball would definitely be quite a shake-up.  If the Celtics handle the Wizards with relative ease I don't see them willing to rock the boat too much (trading Bradley and maybe Rozier, etc.).  Ball will be ready for big minutes early in his career.  I can't picture him nor his dad handling a situation with Rozier type minutes.  Even if the Celtics trade Bradley there still may be a problem...can you start Ball next to IT?  Seems not wise defensively....so basically I think adding Ball means lots of bench time for a big time draft stud.  I can't see it. 

In this scenario I think the Celtics should trade Ball for a PF upgrade plus assets.  It would be shocking if the Celtics traded IT, but adding Ball to the Celtics would point to that in the near future (after 1 year?) imo. 

Aside:  A player like Ball would be great for a guy like Jaylen Brown, not to mention Butler or PG should the Celts trade for one of them.

IF the  Celtics get the #1 pick, Fultz will not add the same level headache as trying to incorporate Ball, because 1. I think he's less ready than Ball,  and 2. he can eventually provide enough defense at the 2 such that he could start in place of Bradley (not as good defense as Bradley but great length and also making up for it with offense).  If Ball can be a capable defender of the 2 spot in the NBA then I stand corrected. 

As far as trading Rozier for upgrade at PF...would Detroit do Rozier plus ________ for Tobias Harris?  How far along is Henry Ellenson as a potential 4?  Also interested in Saric as our future 4 but don't know what it would take.

[CelticsElite]

Who's ready to buy the big baller brand shoes though? That's the real question 

[Dino Pitino]

If this draft didn't have Fultz, Ball would be the obvious #1 pick. He has NBA range on his three already, that wack form works. He'd be a plus defender and distributor right away. If we get Ball, be happy.

except for moving to the right and shooting. something he did zero times in college ball. but i am sure that if this total absense of such a shot continues in to the nba, it wont affect his career in the least. 

ball will probably be a good nba player, but the above coupled with his questionable defense are a concern. what makes you think he will be a plus defender when every scouting report says differently?

He'll be sinking open threes right away. He'll sink catch-and-shoot contested threes, too. If his one big flaw is he can't shoot contested threes when moving right and pulling up, that's not a big deal.

He will be a plus defender overall because of his IQ and size. Good defense isn't solely about being a good 1-on-1 defender. He will be a good team defender right away. He'll get beat off the dribble quite a bit, but he'll also grab boards and he'll bother shots and deflect/intercept passes.

[Eddie20]

If this draft didn't have Fultz, Ball would be the obvious #1 pick. He has NBA range on his three already, that wack form works. He'd be a plus defender and distributor right away. If we get Ball, be happy.

except for moving to the right and shooting. something he did zero times in college ball. but i am sure that if this total absense of such a shot continues in to the nba, it wont affect his career in the least. 

ball will probably be a good nba player, but the above coupled with his questionable defense are a concern. what makes you think he will be a plus defender when every scouting report says differently?

He'll be sinking open threes right away. He'll sink catch-and-shoot contested threes, too. If his one big flaw is he can't shoot contested threes when moving right and pulling up, that's not a big deal.

He will be a plus defender overall because of his IQ and size. Good defense isn't solely about being a good 1-on-1 defender. He will be a good team defender right away. He'll get beat off the dribble quite a bit, but he'll also grab boards and he'll bother shots and deflect/intercept passes.

I couldn't disagree more. As a starting PG it's imperative that you fight through screens and not get beat off the dribble. Ball's slight build will be a challenge for him to fight through the amount of screen and rolls he'll face. His athleticism/foot speed is also a concern. He has good height, but has average wingspan. He'll be a Carter-Williams type defender, which isn't good.

I love his passing and the ability to put the ball in shooting pockets, but his upside based on his athletic ability isn't as high as other potential draftees.

[ThaPreacher]

Really think people are missing the boat here with Ball. I don't know if its bias because of hid ridiculous father or people putting way too much stock in that draftexpress video showing his weaknesses. Ball is the real deal and either the second best or best player in this draft. If he is available ar 2, 3, or 4....Celtics gotta take him.

Oh Lord! Something we agree on! This can't be good!

Ball is well beyond his peers and most NBA Point Guards, in his passing ability and the way he sees the floor.  Can't ever imagine him dropping to 4th pick.  He makes the players around him better!  I like Fox, Tatum, Smith, Monk, Isaac.  But Ball could be special.  I believe Fultz will  go one.  Jackson is perhaps the best athlete in the draft. He'd be a great score at 4.
I don't think Boston can pass on Ball, unless there is a superstar coming back in a deal.