2017 NBA Mock Draft: Celtics pick Lonzo Ball, trade Isaiah Thomas

For months we’ve had the Celtics taking Josh Jackson at No. 1 because the C’s are already overloaded at the point guard position and they could use another All-Star caliber swingman. But there are some whispers that Boston could shock and awe this offseason by trading away their best current player – point guard Isaiah Thomas. That would open the door for the C’s to take one of the two point guards in this draft deemed otherworldly: UCLA’s Lonzo Ball or Washington’s Markelle Fultz.

Danny Ainge is a Belichick-ian talent evaluator – meaning that he has the potential to be ruthless. If Ainge does not think Thomas will be worth the money the PG wants, he will absolutely trade him. Can’t imagine Ainge was too thrilled with Thomas’ “Brinks Truck” reference and that Thomas is constantly teasing Celtics trades that never come to fruition. Totally different scenario, but the last Celtics player who brought up contract stuff in public during the season was Evan Turner – and he’s in Portland now.

1.Boston Celtics: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA

2.Los Angeles Lakers: Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington

3.Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas

4.Orlando Magic: De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

5.Philadelphia 76ers: Dennis Smith, PG, NC State

6.New York Knicks: Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

7.Sacramento Kings: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona

8.Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida State

9.Sacramento Kings: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga

10.Dallas Mavericks: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France

11.Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, PF, Michigan State

12.Portland Trail Blazers: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky

13.Detroit Pistons: Bam Adebayo, PF, Kentucky

14.Chicago Bulls: TJ Leaf, PF, UCLA

15.Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany

16.Miami Heat: Luke Kennard, SG, Duke

17.Indiana Pacers: Harry Giles, PF, Duke

18.Milwaukee Bucks: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest

19.Atlanta Hawks: Dwayne Bacon, SG, Florida State

20.Portland Trail Blazers: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

21.Oklahoma City Thunder: Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia

22.Orlando Magic: Caleb Swanigan, PF, Purdue

23.Toronto Raptors: Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina

24.Brooklyn Nets: Ivan Rabb, PF, California

25.Utah Jazz: Kyle Kuzma, PF, Utah

26.Brooklyn Nets: Justin Patton, C, Creighton

27.Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville

28.Los Angeles Lakers: Johnathan Motley, PF, Baylor

29.San Antonio Spurs: Tyler Lydon, PF, Syracuse

30.Utah Jazz: Cam Oliver, PF, Nevada

31.Atlanta Hawks: Grayson Allen, SG, Duke

32.Los Angeles Lakers: Terrance Ferguson, SG, USA

33.Phoenix Suns: Wesley Iwundu, SG, Kansas State

34.Orlando Magic: Jordan Bell, PF, Oregon

35.Sacramento Kings: PJ Dozier, SG, South Carolina

36.Utah Jazz: Monte Morris, PG, Iowa State

37.Sacramento Kings: Jawun Evans, PG, Oklahoma State

38.Boston Celtics: Moses Kingsley, C, Arkansas

39.Minnesota Timberwolves: Sindarius Thornwell, SG, South Carolina

40.Philadelphia 76ers: Jonathan Jeanne, PF, France

41.Charlotte Hornets: Frank Mason, PG, Kansas

42.Houston Rockets: Allonzo Trier, SG, Arizona

43.Utah Jazz: Kadeem Allen, SG, Arizona

44.New York Knicks: Chris Boucher, PF, Oregon

45.Houston Rockets: Dillon Brooks, SF, Oregon

46.Miami Heat: Alpha Kaba, PF, France

47.Indiana Pacers: Jaron Blossomgame, SF, Clemson

48.Milwaukee Bucks: Semi Ojeleye, SF, SMU

49.Atlanta Hawks: Jonah Bolden, PF, Australia

50.Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Hart, SG, Villanova

51.Oklahoma City Thunder: Vlatko Cancar, SF, Slovenia

52.Boston Celtics: Marko Gaduric, SG, Serbia

53.Phoenix Suns: Isaiah Hicks, PF, North Carolina

54.Washington Wizards: Nigel Williams-Goss, PG, Gonzaga

55.Utah Jazz: Alec Peters, PF, Valparaiso

56.Brooklyn Nets: Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia

57.Boston Celtics: VJ Beachem, SF, Notre Dame

58.New York Knicks: Thomas Bryant, C, Indiana

59.San Antonio Spurs: Trevon Bluiett, SG, Xavier

60.Utah Jazz: Michael Fusek, C, Slovak Republic