NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Boston Celtics

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, left, and owner Wyc Grousbeck, right, listen as new Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens answers a question during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mock Draft, Lakers, Lonzo Ball, Timberwolves, Markelle Fultz

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Keep the pick, draft Markelle Fultz

In an NBA where the Warriors give up nothing to sign Kevin Durant, why would any big market team give up assets to trade for a top player, not on their rookie contract? Why trade for Paul George when he will leave for the Lakers a year from now anyway?

Keeping the pick makes the most sense. The NBA Draft is a crapshoot, there’s no doubt about it. However, the first overall pick definitely minimizes the risk, especially when there’s a transformative player at the top of the board in Markelle Fultz. The point guard from the University of Washington has big-time upside.

Fultz is a 6-foot-4 natural point guard who can score immediately at the NBA level. His 7-foot wingspan will give him the measurables to be an elite defender with the ability to create his own shot. Forget the fact that Fultz’s collegiate team struggled to a 9-22 record, he didn’t have any talent around him.

Boston also has three second-round selections at their disposal that come in at No. 37, No. 53, and No. 56 overall respectively. With Gerald Green, Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, James Young, and Tyler Zeller expected to leave via free agency, Boston could use those second round picks as bench pieces. It’s possible that even Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Mickey, and Demetrius Jackson may also be let go in order to create max cap space.

In what is regarded as a deep draft, there could be a bunch of steals in the second round that help Boston build out their bench.

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