Top 5 Late First-Round Fits for The Boston Celtics

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

2. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky (Center)

I know his hair doesn’t look like that anymore, but if it happens to look like that come draft time, I may be regretting this idea. However, Cauley-Stein fits a need that is most evident on this current C’s club, the need for athletic bigs. While Sullinger is showing that he is a quality NBA player, he isn’t going to play above the rim for the next 10 years. The Celtics need a big that can run the break and protect the rim on the other end. Sullinger has shown enough shooting range this year that whoever plays center can sit on the baseline and look to put back misses and finish on drives to the hoop. Cauley-Stein is what talent evaluators call “raw” and may never get to a point where he can truly contribute to an NBA team. However, I have faith in the current coaching staff on the Celtics to at least make a viable defender and rebounder out of him. While he doesn’t offer the full package, Cauley-Stein has shown enough on the defensive end to be selected in the later stages of the first round.