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Boston Celtics mock draft 3.0: Team to target forwards in 2nd round

By James Carson

May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Celtics dance team waves flags before the start of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Celtics dance team waves flags before the start of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) dribbles as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) lies on the court during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 2, Pick 56: Nigel Williams-Goss, PG from Gonzaga

Both the top and the bottom of this year’s draft class are point guard-heavy, a position the Celtics do not necessarily need to fill. Markelle Fultz can play off the ball and back up the point when needed, to go along with Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier all already on the roster. With few talented big men within the last few picks, the Celtics may take a flier on Gonzaga point guard Nigel Williams-Goss.

Williams-Goss led his team to the NCAA Final Four this season after transferring from Washington and took a bigger role in the Zags’ offense. He led his team in scoring with 16.8 points per game, the highest of his three college seasons, and improved his three-point percentage from 25.6% to 36.8%. Williams-Goss also took over 1.5 more free throw attempts on average at Gonzaga than he did at Washington and improved his free throw percentage from 76.3% to 86.7%.

Williams-Goss also proved to be a skilled rebounder, something the Boston Celtics like to have out of their guards. He averaged 6.0 rebounds per game, the second most on Gonzaga. Boston has three excellent rebounding guards in Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier, so Williams-Goss would fit right in.

Of course, with so many point guards still on the roster, Williams-Goss would need to show something special to have any chance to make the team.

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Regardless, he would be a good pick to hold onto with the Maine Red Claws in case of emergency. He is a talented scorer who can get boards, both of which the Celtics encourage.

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