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Names, names and more names for Celtics – Metro US

Names, names and more names for Celtics

We likely won’t know whether or not Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen will be back in green for weeks if not months.

That’s not to say that the next 30 days won’t be jam-packed with Celtics news. The NBA draft takes place June 28, July 1 is when teams may begin talking to free agents and July 11 is the date when teams may begin to sign coveted players.

So we won’t have to wait long to find out which direction the franchise intends to go.

Thanks to the Kendrick Perkins-Jeff Green swap in February 2011, the Celtics have an extra draft pick to work with this summer.

A look at potential draft picks the Celtics could be looking at:

Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Yes, the Celtics will likely be looking for big bodies but going the Kentucky rout is never a bad thing these days. Lamb, a very good midrange shooter, could be a solid option to back up Avery Bradley at the two-guard position.

Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

If he was to be drafted by the Celtics, by Christmas Tommy Heinsohn would inevitably compare Jones to some guy named Kevin Garnett. He’s 6-foot-11, he’s extremely athletic and owns a nice inside-outside game. There’s a better chance Jones becomes the next Acie Earl instead of the next Garnett, but one can dream.

Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The always reliable NBADraft.net has Nicholson heading to the Celtics at 21. He’s a senior, so he’ll be more mature than most of the players in the draft. But he often gets moved off the block due to lack of strength — in the A-10 of all places.

Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

This one’s a long shot as the only way the Celtics could get ahold of Sullinger is via a trade (two picks for one?) or if he somehow slides epically. Right now, he’s believed to be going in the 8-14 range.

Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Another pipe dream, though could this be one of the reasons as to why Doc Rivers improbably signed that contract last spring? Was Doc promised by Danny Ainge he would do everything in his power to go after boy wonder in the draft?

Would Avery Bradley and a draft pick be enough for one of the teams in the 10-15 range to bite?

Doc’s son is criticized for sometimes being too selfish with the ball. Who better to correct that than his own dad?

2012 NBA draft

Other potential Celtics’ targets:

Meyers Leonard 7-foot-1 center out of Illinois

Festus Ezeli 6-foot-11 center from Vanderbilt

Fab Melo Center from Syracuse was suspended for the Orange’s run in March

Draymond Green Michigan State player could be a great NBA role player

Arnett Moultrie Out of Mississippi State, Moultrie owns an NBA-ready frame

Royce White The versatile big man led Iowa State to the NCAA tournament.