No. 17 overall (via the Memphis Grizzlies)
Gary Parrish/CBS – Isaiah Stewart, Washington
An undersized center is something Boston has had luck with all the way back to Dave Cowens. And you can see a little of Cowens’ fire in Stewart, who at 19 years old and 6-foot-9, rebounds and attacks the cup on offense with a similar intensity.
The problem is, in the modern NBA no away-from-the-basket player needs an especially elite skill to be worth a first-round pick, and Stewart doesn’t really have one to speak of.
Rob Dauster/NBC Sports – Patrick Williams, Florida State
Williams is probably a better player than his stats indicate as a reserve in a deep Seminoles team, but at 18 years old and standing 6-foot-8, is already a solid defender who plays the four for Florida State.
He doesn’t shoot or rebound especially well. He can also be a little turnover-prone, but his shooting form isn’t terrible, and his free throw percentage high — another good sign — though this is probably too early to select him.
Sam Vecenie/The Athletic – Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt
20-year-old small forward Aaron Nesmith is one of the most intriguing options of the draft should he still be available. At 6-foot-6, he’s a deadeye shooter with excellent form.
He’s not a very good defender, though, and isn’t a very capable passer, wither. While he rarely turns the ball over, he also doesn’t rebound much for his position, nor does he get to the line. That said, he’d be an ideal pick here.