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If the three Boston Celtics who were part of the 2017 NBA draft class of prospects had another go at being taken by NBA ball clubs based on what we know about their respective evolution as players in the league today, where would they end up going?
The trio of Celtics players who were part of this draft class are of course star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, starting point guard Derrick White, and backup Boston big man Luke Kornet. Tatum famously ended up going at No. 3 overall despite the Celtics having the top pick, Boston GM Danny Ainge trading back to get the player he wanted all along.
White would be selected with the No. 29 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs, and Kornet would actually go undrafted. Bleacher Report league analyst Zach Buckley recently conducted his own redraft of the 2017 class; let's take a look at where Tatum, White, and Kornet ended up in it.
"While Tatum has perhaps never crested the best-player-on-the-planet conversation, he has done just about everything else a superstar can do," writes Buckley, who placed him one spot ahead of Donovan Mitchell. "Multiple All-NBA first-team selections? Check. Annual All-Star invitations? Check. MVP consideration year after year? Check. Best player on a championship team? Check."
"There are few players in the league with more bona fides than his, and none are members of this draft class. He is an elite two-way talent and a no-brainer pick at No. 1."
"With this draft's six All-Stars off the board, it only feels right to turn attention toward someone who isn't one per se but is capable of starring in myriad roles depending on the night," suggests the league analyst, who has White just ahead of Josh Hart, and just behind Jarrett Allen. "White is, for lack of a better word, a winner. It's hard to dissect his game without leaning into clichés or coach speak. He works like a human adhesive, filling the gap for whatever his team needs in that particular game."
"His cumulative statistics seldom jump off the page (though he is a pretty absurd shot-blocker for a 6-foot-4 combo guard), but the totality of his contributions always impresses."
"Kornet shouldn't, at least on paper, fit in the modern NBA," suggests Buckley, who puts the Vanderbilt alum ahead of Simone Fontecchio, and behind Dennis Smith Jr. "There just aren't many centers who last in this league who aren't athletic rim-runners or 3-point threats. Yet, the 7-foot-2, 250-pounder, who basically began his career as a jumbo-sized shooting specialist, has managed to carve out a useful niche for the defending champion Boston Celtics."
"He has become a steady source of subtle, smart plays, whether that's freeing a teammate with a screen, finding an open shooter out of the short roll, boxing out, competing on the glass or just routinely occupying the right place at the right time."
Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Where would Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Luke Kornet go in a '17 redraft?
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The trio of Celtics players who were part of this draft class are of course star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, starting point guard Derrick White, and backup Boston big man Luke Kornet. Tatum famously ended up going at No. 3 overall despite the Celtics having the top pick, Boston GM Danny Ainge trading back to get the player he wanted all along.
White would be selected with the No. 29 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs, and Kornet would actually go undrafted. Bleacher Report league analyst Zach Buckley recently conducted his own redraft of the 2017 class; let's take a look at where Tatum, White, and Kornet ended up in it.
Jayson Tatum - No. 1 overall
"While Tatum has perhaps never crested the best-player-on-the-planet conversation, he has done just about everything else a superstar can do," writes Buckley, who placed him one spot ahead of Donovan Mitchell. "Multiple All-NBA first-team selections? Check. Annual All-Star invitations? Check. MVP consideration year after year? Check. Best player on a championship team? Check."
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"There are few players in the league with more bona fides than his, and none are members of this draft class. He is an elite two-way talent and a no-brainer pick at No. 1."
Derrick White - No. 7 overall
"With this draft's six All-Stars off the board, it only feels right to turn attention toward someone who isn't one per se but is capable of starring in myriad roles depending on the night," suggests the league analyst, who has White just ahead of Josh Hart, and just behind Jarrett Allen. "White is, for lack of a better word, a winner. It's hard to dissect his game without leaning into clichés or coach speak. He works like a human adhesive, filling the gap for whatever his team needs in that particular game."
You must be registered for see images
"His cumulative statistics seldom jump off the page (though he is a pretty absurd shot-blocker for a 6-foot-4 combo guard), but the totality of his contributions always impresses."
Luke Kornet - No. 24 overall
"Kornet shouldn't, at least on paper, fit in the modern NBA," suggests Buckley, who puts the Vanderbilt alum ahead of Simone Fontecchio, and behind Dennis Smith Jr. "There just aren't many centers who last in this league who aren't athletic rim-runners or 3-point threats. Yet, the 7-foot-2, 250-pounder, who basically began his career as a jumbo-sized shooting specialist, has managed to carve out a useful niche for the defending champion Boston Celtics."
You must be registered for see images attach
"He has become a steady source of subtle, smart plays, whether that's freeing a teammate with a screen, finding an open shooter out of the short roll, boxing out, competing on the glass or just routinely occupying the right place at the right time."
Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Where would Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Luke Kornet go in a '17 redraft?
Continue reading...
