NBA Draft Rumors: Boston Celtics interested in Marcus Smart, Aaron Gordon, Noah Vonleh
By Bryan Rose
The Boston Celtics don’t know if Joel Embiid will drop to them in the 2014 NBA Draft, but it doesn’t appear as if they’re running with the assumption that he will as according to Gary Washburn, Embiid is not mentioned among the top three players the Celtics have interest in drafting.
More from Boston Celtics
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
- Boston Celtics projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- David Griffin thanks rival Celtics for leverage in Anthony Davis trade talks
- NBA rumors: Damian Lillard trade becoming more trouble than it’s worth for Celtics
Earlier today, the Celtics suggested that it would be ‘quite a gamble‘ if they drafted Embiid, who is likely to see his draft stock slip after suffering a broken foot and undergoing surgery. Of course, that might be nothing more than a smokescreen as one would have to assume that teams picking in the middle of the lottery would be thrilled if Embiid, injured or not, dropped to them.
Despite that, the Boston Celtics don’t appear publically ready to commit to the idea of Embiid and seem to have the most interest in Marcus Smart, Aaron Gordon and Noah Vonleh.
NBA source said #celtics are very high on Indiana's Noah Vonleh and he's moved into preferred group with Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) June 21, 2014
With the Celtics owning the sixth selection, it’s highly questionable if Smart will still be on the board when Boston’s pick rolls around so they may miss on the Oklahoma State product by default. However, Gordon and Vonleh could very well still be on the board so it’s within reason to believe at least two of the tree will be available, if not all three.
As to who is the best fit for the Boston Celtics young roster? That’s simply a matter of opinion, though it would be a little odd to see the Celtics draft a point guard with Rajon Rondo still on the roster.