NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Celtics eyeing Marcus Smart, Doug McDermott, Nik Stauskas
The Boston Celtics hold two first round picks this year, the sixth-overall and 17th-overall selections.
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Because of those picks and the Celtics’ young talent, many have wondered if they could pull of a trade for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love. Although that is obviously what the Celtics hope to do, the more likely scenario is that they make both selections.
The Celtics have seem especially interested in former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart, leading many to speculate he is at the top of the Celtics’ wishlist.
According to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com Smart and former Michigan Wolverines’ swingman Nik Stauksas will work out for the Celtics on Friday while former Creighton Blue Jays’ forward Doug McDermott will work out for the team a day earlier.
Marcus Smart will work out for the Boston Celtics on Friday, source told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 7, 2014
Doug McDermott will work out for the Celtics on Thursday.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 7, 2014
Nik Stauskas will also -- along with Marcus Smart -- work out for the Boston Celtics on Friday.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 7, 2014
Smart is ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 42.2% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc and 72.8% from the free throw line last season.
McDermott, the Naismith Award winner as college basketball’s best player, averaged a career-high 26.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Blue Jays last season. He shot 52.6% from the field, 44.9% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free throw line. He is ranked as the 10th-best prospect.
Stauskas put up 17.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. He shot 47.0% from the field, 44.2% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free throw line. He is ranked as the 14th-best prospect.