SB Nation Mock Draft: The Boston Celtics select Christian Wood

The Boston Celtics select Christian Wood from UNLV with the 28th pick

Lucas: The Celtics are smart to take a gamble and select Wood with their 28th pick, as he has oodles of potential. At 6’11" and a 7’3" wingspan, Woods has a great frame and the length to become a NBA quality power forward. He averaged 15.5 points and 9.8 rebounds last season, and also recorded 2.6 blocks per game. Wood combines impressive athleticism with a nice looking shooting stroke, (though it seems he has yet to figure out his three point shot, as he only knocked down 27.8% of his long balls last season) and can also get up and down the court very quickly. At 220 pounds, Woods will need to put on a serious amount of weight if he is ever going to be able defend NBA power forwards and become at the very least a decent defender. The concerns about his motor are a concern, but the Celtics aren’t expecting him to become a star,and is worth the risk.

Dontae: Looking at Wood is like looking at John Henson, long, lanky, full of potential, and a nightmare to project. He has a solid face up game, blocks shots like all over the place, and will get absolutely destroyed in the post in the NBA. The Celtics picked a player full of potential, which is a great value pick here. He could be a Brandon Wright or Henson, and he also could be out of the league in three years. With a bit of work, he should be solid rotation piece.

Taylor: I thought Wood would go before Vaughn. Shows what I know. Wood is a long, lean power forward who may have some trouble guarding bigger, stronger guys on the block. However, in today's NBA, he could become that coveted stretch-4 if he improves his jump shot. He gets a lot of rebounds despite his slender frame, mostly because of his athleticism. He's a high-energy guy who can jump up for put back dunks. I don't know how good of a fit Boston is, since I think Wood would fair better in a more free-flowing, fast break offense.

Kevin: Not sure the skills are there for him to become a stretch-4 in the league.  If you shoot under 28% from the college three on just over three shots a game from range you have issues that might not be able to be fixed. He does attack the rim well, he finishes extremely well at the rim, has a sweet touch on the eight footer, but his range maxes out at about 12-15 right now.

He's long, he rebounds and blocks shots.  A lot of things that the Celts need.