Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are the prizes that every lottery team hopes to chance upon, including the Boston Celtics. However, if their draft pick lands outside of the top-2 in the draft lottery, and they are thus unable to draft Ingram or Simmons, the Celtics may look to bolster their backcourt, per ESPN’s Chad Ford:
Most likely pick: Jamal Murray, G, Fr., Kentucky
If the Celtics get the first pick, both Simmons and Ingram look like great fits. Simmons’ ability to see the floor and still play the as a big makes him the more intriguing fit — especially with Brad Stevens as the coach.
If they fall outside the top two, look for them to address the backcourt. The Celtics love Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas in their current backcourt, but Murray’s shooting and versatility would be too much to pass up — though sources say they’re tempted by Buddy Hield, an even better shooter and more ready to step in and play right now.
Alternative pick: Buddy Hield, SG, Sr., Oklahoma
Hield or Murray would bring much-needed spacing to a Boston team that was 11th in the NBA in three-pointers attempted, but 28th in three-point percentage. Simmons or Ingram will obviously be the pick if the C’s land in the top-2, but if not, some shooting could be very helpful.
