BOSTON – Both Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens have identified the need for a scoring big man as one of the items on their summer wish-list.
But they’re smart enough to know that having all their wants met is unlikely.
With what will probably be more than $20 million in salary cap space this summer, money won’t be an issue when it comes to finding a frontcourt scorer who can make a major impact.
Convincing him to come to Boston?
Now that’s another story.
One way around that is to find a player who meets that criteria through the June 25 NBA draft.
Boston has a pair of first-round picks, No. 16 and No. 28, respectively.
Boston Celtics
Before you poo-poo on the idea that the Celtics can get anything of great value with either of those picks, consider this.
Of the 12 Eastern Conference all-stars this season, five of them were drafted 19th or lower in their respective draft classes.
And two of those players (Atlanta’s Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver) were both second-round selections.
Here we’ll take a look at some of the top big men in this upcoming draft, some of whom are exactly what the Celtics are looking for.
KARL ANTHONY-TOWNS, Kentucky
Height, Weight, Position: 7-foot, 250, Center
Strengths: Tremendous potential as a low-post or face-the-basket scorer; strong work ethic; under-rated defender when he has to switch out on pick-and-rolls.
Weaknesses: Good leaper, but not considered explosive; needs to add strength to lower body; needs more post moves.
Projected draft position: No. 1 or No. 2 overall pick
JAHLIL OKAFOR, Duke
Height, Weight, Position: 6-foot-11, 270, Center
Strengths: Exceptional low-post scorer; has NBA body; has a 7-5 wing span.
Weaknesses: Lateral quickness needs work; not a “stretch” big; free throw shooting not great.
Projected draft position: No. 1 or No. 2 overall pick.
WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN, KENTUCKY
Height, Weight, Position: 7-foot, 240, Center
Strengths: Quick leaper; rim protector; good pick-and-roll defender
Weaknesses: Few moves offensively; Focus tends to come and go; shooting percentage dropped every year at Kentucky.
Projected draft position: Top-10.
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS, LATVIA
Height, Weight, Position: 7-1, 220, Power Forward-Center
Strengths: Excellent shooting touch; good ball-handler for his size; runs the floor extremely well.
Weaknesses: Not strong enough to play center; gets pushed around too easily; face-up game is where most of his points come from.
Projected draft position: Top-10.
FRANK KAMINSKY, WISCONSIN
Height, Weight, Position: 7-foot, 240, Center-Power Forward
Strengths: High basketball IQ; excellent footwork; skilled post-moves, face-to-the-basket game.
Weaknesses: Lacks average athleticism; lateral movement not good; needs to add strength if he will play some at center.
Projected draft position: Lottery Pick (top-14).
MYLES TURNER, TEXAS
Height, Weight, Position: 6-11, 243, Power Forward-Center
Strengths: 7-foot-4 wingspan; pick-and-pop potential; excellent free throw shooter (83.9 percent).
Weaknesses: Lower body strength an issue; only 19 years old; underwhelming play at Texas (10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds per game).
Projected draft position: Lottery pick (top-14) to late teens of first round.
TREY LYLES, KENTUCKY
Height, Weight, Position: 6-11, 250, Power Forward-Center
Strengths: Good upper body strength; high basketball IQ; Scores high when it comes to making hustle (50/50) plays.
Weaknesses: Lacks explosiveness; lateral quickness an issue at next level; inconsistent 3-point shooter.
Projected draft position: Lottery pick (top-14) to late teens of first round.
KEVON LOONEY, UCLA
Height, Weight, Position: 6-9, 220, Power Forward
Strengths: Good rebounder; court vision is solid; makes a living at the free throw line.
Weaknesses: “Tweener” (Power forward or small forward?); needs to improve upper body strength; needs quicker release on shot attempts.
Projected draft position: Lottery pick (top-14) to late teens of first round.
BOBBY PORTIS, ARKANSAS
Height, Weight, Position: 6-10, 240, Power Forward
Strengths: High energy, high motor player; nice mid-range touch; versatile defender.
Weaknesses: Needs to develop post-game; post defense not great; lack of athleticism limits his long-term potential.
Projected draft position: Middle to latter stages of the first round.
MONTREZL HARRELL , LOUISVILLE
Height, Weight, Position: 6-8, 240, Power Forward
Strengths: Powerful dunker; 7-3 wingspan; Height, Weight, Position: 6-11, 250, Power forward-Center
Weaknesses: At 6-8, will have problems defending taller (most) power forwards; limited shooting touch beyond dunking; needs to keep high motor in check, avoid being overly aggressive.
Projected draft position: Teens, mid-20s of first round.
Other possible big men with first-round potential: Christian Wood (UNLV); Robert Upshaw (Washington); Jarell Martin (LSU); Cliff Alexander (Kansas)