Who will Ainge draft with the 3rd pick?

[DERRENMATTS]

We don't know if we're keeping the 3rd overall pick, or if it'll be used in conjunction with other players + assets to trade for an impact player.

But we'll stick with the scenario that wr are kerping the pick, until a trade is actually made.

Who do you feel Ainge will take?

I've narrowed my choices down to 3 players:

Buddy Hield
Dragan Bender
Marquiss Chriss

First off, I left out Jamal Murray, even though he's got a skill we really need (perimeter shooting). I like him a lot, but put him behind of Hield because he's not as creative a scorer as Buddy is.

I also don't think it's Kris Dunn (a hunch more than anything else).

I don't think Jaylen Brown will be the pick either -- I see the athleticism, I see the explosiveness. I don't see the basketball smarts and the creativity to be an impact player (sort of mechanical in his executions).

But I see Ainge taking Buddy because he's a fiery and driven competitor, a relentless worker, an excellent shooter, and a creative scorer. A backcourt of IT and Buddy will provide lots of offense.

I see Ainge taking Bender because he displays the same kind of determination and fight that Buddy does. A young 7 footer who can hit three's, dribble and pass the ball like a forward, and block a few shots is the new type of bigs the league is shifting towards.

Chriss is another high upside big who can hit three's -- though he's intriguing because he's a jump shooter (as opposed to a set shot shooter). Looks to be a better shot blocker than Bender, and more explosive. But he's missing Bender's inner drive, IMO. But with his perimeter shooting, his inside outside game, and potential as a shot blocker, he could end up being one of the best players taken in this draft.

If I had to guess, one of these 3 will be our guy.

[DERRENMATTS]

Changed my mind about Chriss. His lack of rebounding is a concern.

I'll replace him with Jamal Murray.

So with 3 days remaining before the draft, my 3 choices are

Bender
Hield
Murray

[eddietours]

you think we are picking for someone else ?

[DERRENMATTS]

Could be. You never know with Ainge. His very first draft in '03, that's what he did, taking Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones for another team (think it was for Memphis), and later swapping them for the draft rights for Perkins, IIRC.

[FLCeltsFan]

It hasn't been a secret that Danny is shopping that pick pretty hard. In reading your descriptions of the players above, I
like what you said about both Bender and Hield. I have been leaning toward Bender because for some reason when I watch him, he reminds me of Kevin Durant. Just the way he moves etc. I think he can be a star and as the old saying goes... You can't teach height.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, I think when I boil it all down, when it comes to talent and potential and character, Bender would be my pick.

A guy who left behind his family and life to pursue his basketball dream really shows how serious he is about the game.

[DERRENMATTS]

Just over 16 hours away from the start of the draft.

Assume we are staying at [HASH]3, and Simmons and Ingram have just been drafted.

Who do you take?

I'm going with Bender all the way!!