Bleacher Report put out a way-too-soon mock draft for the upcoming NBA Draft next offseason. As you may know, the Boston Celtics are in possession of the Sacramento Kings’ top-1 protected first round pick. Basically, if the pick goes number one, Philly gets it. If it’s anywhere below the first pick, it will belong to Boston.
The idea of the Celtics adding yet another young, potential superstar to their roster would be absolutely ridiculous. Just think of a roster with Kyrie, Brown, Tatum, and Zion. I might pass out just thinking of that group. Danny Ainge really flipped the first overall pick into Jayson Tatum and potentially another top pick in the draft. He’s playing chess, the rest of the GMs are playing checkers.
After R.J. Barrett went number one in their mock draft, Bleacher Report had Zion Williamson being drafted at number two by the Boston Celtics. The Kings are going to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, there’s no question about it. There are a few teams that may be worse (Atlanta, Phoenix), but the Kings will be right up there with them competing for the worst record in the NBA.
Western Conference
| Team | Projected wins |
Make playoffs |
Win Western Conference |
Win NBA title |
| Golden State Warriors | 62.1 | 100% | 54.9% | 40.1% |
| Houston Rockets | 57 | 100% | 21.1% | 11.5% |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 48.8 | 92.7% | 10.5% | 4.4% |
| Utah Jazz | 48.7 | 92.5% | 3.5% | 1.1% |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 48.1 | 90% | 3.2% | 0.9% |
| Denver Nuggets | 47.2 | 86.8% | 3.5% | 0.9% |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 47.1 | 86.2% | 1.7% | 0.4% |
| San Antonio Spurs | 42.7 | 51.5% | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 42.2 | 45.9% | 0.4% | 0.1% |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 41.3 | 37.1% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Dallas Mavericks | 38.1 | 14.7% | 0% | 0% |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 34.1 | 2.4% | 0% | 0% |
| LA Clippers | 29.4 | 0.1% | 0% | 0% |
| Phoenix Suns | 27.3 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sacramento Kings | 26.5 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
(via cbssports.com)
The only NBA team with a lower projected win total would be the Atlanta Hawks at 23.1.
With that being said, should Celtics fans start looking forward to drafting a new prospect early in next year’s draft? Unless Sacramento is projected to get the first pick, and the ping pong balls bounce in their favor, I would say yes. I’d start looking into some of these guys. This upcoming draft is looking to be stacked, just like we’ve seen in previous years.
Which prospect should we be looking at? Easy answer: Zion. Williamson. Yes, I know I said this draft is loaded, and fans shouldn’t be too greedy over who they could get, but Zion Williamson is special. Standing at 6’7, weighing in at 285 pounds, Zion Williamson already looks like he’d be one of the best athletes in the entire league as a rookie. He can jump through the roof, drive, finish, play defense, and honestly, intimidate his opponents by just standing there. He’s a forward, but in the NBA he can play anywhere between the 2-5. His jumpshot needs a little work, but he’s shown flashes of having a promising jump shot in Duke’s scrimmages.
After seeing those highlights, you can’t tell me you wouldn’t want that man on your team. I’m praying that the Kings suck this year, but not suck enough to get the first overall pick. The last thing a Boston fan wants is for Philly to get that pick. We’re still ways away from next year’s draft, but I’d start to keep my eyes on some of these guys, especially Zion Williamson.
Photo: sbnation.com
