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Boston Celtics Mock Draft 1.0: Preliminary post-lottery picks

By James Carson

May 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of t-shirts across the seats prior to game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of t-shirts across the seats prior to game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots a layup against the USC Trojans during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots a layup against the USC Trojans during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, Pick 1: Markelle Fultz, PG from Washington

If you are not already familiar with this name, first off that is surprising and second off, get used to hearing it. Markelle Fultz is the leader of arguably one of the deepest draft classes of the past ten years.  Boston Celtics fans would have been happy with whichever pick the team got in the top four because each of the top ten players in this class are potential franchise players, but Fultz grades out as the cream of the crop.

Fultz played his one college season for the Washington Huskies, surrounded by less talented teammates than some other top picks were. The Huskies finished at 9-21 and missed out on all postseason play, but that is hardly Fultz’s fault. He scored in bunches, averaging 23.2 points per game while shooting 50.2% from two-point range and 41.3% beyond the three-point arc.

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Fultz used his strength to average 5.7 rebounds per game and displayed good facilitator skills even with a poor supporting cast, evidenced by his 5.9 assists per game.

Versatility at guard

Despite being listed as a point guard, Fultz has the ability to fill a role similar to Marcus Smart for the Celtics. He is nearly 6’5″ in shoes and has a wingspan of 6’10” inches, making him a perfect complement to Isaiah Thomas.

His height and ability to shoot creates a dangerous backcourt where both players can handle the ball or play off it to get open shots. Fultz’s playmaking ability also makes him an ideal running mate for Avery Bradley when Thomas sits, as both can hit long range shots and make an impact on the boards.

Rarely does a team in the Eastern Conference Finals also get a shot at drafting a talent as special as Fultz, but Ainge has put the Celtics in the perfect position to make a run this year and go even deeper for several years to come.

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