If The Celtics Use The #17 Pick

I wrote about who I'd like the Celtics to take at #6.  It was a group of PFs as well as Marcus Smart.  If they keep the pick at 17 there appears to be a group of solid wing players available. Here are my four favorite that might be there.

JAMES YOUNG, SG/SF, KENTUCKY, FRESHMEN

Young has decent size for a wing at 6'6.  He, like all of the Wildcats, played real well at the end of the year and deep into the NCAA Tournament.  He's a great shooter, although his season numbers from 3 (35%) didn't back it up.  His shot looks smooth as hell though and I expect him to be even better in the NBA (like Bradley Beal).  

T.J. WARREN, SF, NORTH CAROLINA STATE, SOPHOMORE 

Best scorer in the ACC (25 ppg) last season.  Everyone projects Jabari Parker as the best scorer from this class, and that's fair, but Warren is not far off.  Not a great 3 point shooter but he's 6'8 and scores in a variety of ways, especially in the paint. Master of the floater.  If he develops an outside shot he could be scary good.  Played prep school ball at Brewster Academy in NH where he was teammates with Xavier PG Semaj Christon. (Good Pierre McGuire fact right there).

RODNEY HOOD, SF, DUKE, SOPHOMORE

I never like Duke players and this year I love two.  Hood is my pick for a player in this class to most likely compete in a 3-point Contest and a Dunk Contest.  Great shooter (42% from 3), size to play 2 and 3 (6'8.5, but not a great wingspan at 6'8.5).  He is also very athletic, so not just a shooter.  Keep an eye on him at the workouts.  Many project him in the 20s, that would surprise me. 

K.J. MCDANIELS, SG, CLEMSON, JUNIOR

Like Noah Vonleh, great player whose team missed the NCAA Tournament.  Certainly not all his fault, but with 68 teams in the dance you'd like to see your star lead you there regardless of surrounding cast.  But this guy is legit.  6'6 with a freakish wingspan of 6'11.25.  Put up 17 points, 7 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks a game.  Dwyane Wade perhaps?  Hopefully more that than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. 

I like all these guys.  If the Celtics don't make a move for Kevin Love and use their two picks, I'd be thrilled with 2 of the 8 players I mentioned.  It'd be a rebuild but with a bright future. 

Draft Countdown at the top right of the page.  Less than a month!