The novel format of the end of the 2019-20 NBA season and subsequent playoffs are unlike anything that has come before in the history of the league, a necessary response to the pandemic that upended the basketball status quo.
And with that novel format has come a number of creative ideas on how that plan could be further tweaked to deliver maximum entertainment appeal in a moment of extreme duress.
To that end, The Athletic’s staff put together a ‘mock expansion draft’ that would see 22 teams who made the so-called ‘Orlando bubble’ cut-off be allowed to ‘draft’ one player from the eight teams whose season ended.
While there are a host of reasons why this would never happen in real life, it’s still an appealing thought experiment. But the Athletic staff — for whatever reason — decided Boston ought to draft now-Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela.
As the Celtics Wire has discussed more than once on why Capela’s game is far from an ideal fit in Boston’s style of play, nor does he provide a skill the team has much need for.
So who would be a better option, then?
The Athletic has Boston selecting 18th overall, with the following players off the board:
Stephen Curry; Trae Young; Karl-Anthony Towns; Draymond Green; Kevin Love; Mitchell Robinson; Zach LaVine; Lauri Markkanen; Otto Porter Jr.; John Collins; Andrew Wiggins; Christian Wood; Luke Kennard; Devonte’ Graham; Malik Beasley; Miles Bridges.
What Boston does need is bench scoring and shooting, and to a lesser extent, some strength in the frontcourt to help defend the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
To that end, we’ve assembled five better options for the Celtics to take in this imaginary ‘expansion draft’ the Athletic has dreamed up.
Collin Sexton – point guard – 6-foot-1
The Celtics need scoring off the bench, and a player capable of starting for at least some of the remaining regular games left to help keep Kemba Walker as fresh as possible for the postseason.
And while Sexton is still green about the ears as a second-year floor general, he can score in a variety of ways. A career 39.2 % 3-point shot, the Alabama product can get to the line often enough as a slasher, converting 64.3 % of his shots last season.
Julius Randle – forward – 6-foot-8
Like the two previous options, Randle isn’t much on the defensive end of the ball. But his high-energy offense would give Boston a strong interior scoring option off the bench.
He’s shown signs of developing an outside shot, and can pass out of the post in a pinch while rebounding at a high clip. Given the lack of interest in attacking the basket from the Celtics’ second unit bigs, Randle would be an excellent offensive alternative to Semi Ojeleye at the 4.
Zach LaVine – guard – 6-foot-6
Another less-than-ideal defender, LaVine would also be an excellent option to bolster the Celtics’ bench scoring.
A very high-frequency 3-point shot at 8.1 per game with 38 % accuracy, LaVine can get to the line often, and might be the most complete all-around scorer still available.
Kevin Huerter – forward – 6-foot-7
What Huerter lacks in accuracy compared to Sexton as a 38% shot beyond the arc, he makes up for in volume in 6 attempts per game to the Cavalier’s 3.9.
He’s a competent passer as well, averaging 3.8 assists per contest in 2019-20. While he’s not an especially good defender, he’s not bad, and the Celtics have plenty of good options to pair him with while he kept the second unit offense afloat.
Tristan Thompson – center – 6-foot-9
After having one of his best seasons in years in 2019-20, Thompson showed he can still be an interior force the Celtics could sorely use against Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo once the postseason slows the game down.
While he isn’t especially useful on offense — he averaged just 12 points per game last season and doesn’t really have an outside shot — the Texas product would give Boston the biggest boost left on their board to slow two of the toughest obstacles to the Finals.
