The Boston Celtics hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and have reportedly focused in on two prospects: Marcus Smart and Julius Randle. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express tweeted on Wednesday that Danny Ainge and the Celtics' front office seem to have determined that they want one of those two players, despite the fact that Boston has been linked to several other players throughout the process.
NBA draft rumors: Celtics narrow options, teams line up for Jabari Parker in a trade
With less than 24 hours before the NBA Draft, more rumors about virtually every team have surfaced.
Andy Lyons
Pretty much everyone I talk to is indicating that the Celtics are down to Randle or Smart at #6. Gordon seemingly third. Vonleh not in mix.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 25, 2014 
NBA Draft
This is especially interesting because it had been commonly thought that Aaron Gordon was Danny Ainge's favorite prospect. Of course, there's a good chance that this report is yet another smokescreen. Smart and Randle would likely be high on the wish lists of the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 7 and the Sacramento Kings at No. 8. Maybe the Celtics are trying to trade down in the draft and gain additional assets by scaring one of those teams.
It’s also possible that the Celtics really want to draft Joel Embiid at No. 6 and don’t want any other teams to leapfrog them.
At the very least, this report is curious because Smart plays the same position as the Celtics' current best player, Rajon Rondo. Randle, on the other hand, plays power forward, which is one of the few positions where Boston actually has some young talent in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk.
Zach LaVine might have a promise from the Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves' front office is surely busy dealing with trade offers for Kevin Love, but they also have the 13th pick in Thursday night's draft. According to Alex Kennedy, the Wolves may have already zeroed in on the guy that they want.
NBA draft rumor: Multiple league sources believe that Zach LaVine has a promise from the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 13.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 25, 2014 This is probably encouraging for LaVine and his agent, but there's no guarantee that such a promise even comes into play. In the most recent mock draft at SB Nation, LaVine was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 10th pick.
Mitch McGary might have a promise from the Hornets
Mitch McGary might have received a promise as well. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, it is believed that the Charlotte Hornets told McGary that if he was available at #24, they would take him.
Hearing Hornets at 24 most likely destination for Mitch McGary to land. Source says they are the culprit of his draft workout shutdown
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014 There is a good chance that McGary will actually get to the 24th pick for the Hornets to select him due to his iffy injury history. There are concerns after a back injury plagued him throughout his last season at Michigan. By giving McGary a promise, they effectively shut him down and make sure that no other teams get his medical information.
If nobody else knows how healthy McGary’s back is, the Hornets should be free to scoop him up late in the first round.
Nobody really knows what the Cleveland Cavaliers will do with the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's draft. Several teams would like to trade up to have a chance to select Jabari Parker, and ESPN's Andy Katz tweeted that if the Cavs take Parker, there's a good chance that he won't actually go to Cleveland.
Utah, Orland and Boston have talked to Cleveland about No. 1 and if so the choice would be Jabari Parker.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) June 26, 2014 If the Cavs take Jabari Parker, I could see a trade happening. If Cavs take Andrew Wiggins, then likely keeping the pick.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) June 26, 2014 But not everybody that might trade up to the #1 pick wants to select Jabari Parker. The 76ers have always liked Andrew Wiggins, so he’ll be the pick if Sam Hinkie manages to jump up from the third overall pick.
Sources: If Bucks, Magic, Jazz or Celtics move up to No. 1 — Jabari is their man. If Sixers move up it’s for Wiggins.
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 26, 2014 See More:
