NBA Draft Rumors: Celtics Could Pass on the Point Guards
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) reacts during the second half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

It’s expected that the Boston Celtics would use their No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft one of the top point guard prospects. Maybe they won’t.

The consensus top two prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft are point guards Markelle Fultz of Washington Lonzo Ball of UCLA. The two have been measured a cut above the rest by draft experts throughout the college season and during the draft process.

However, the Boston Celtics (owners of the No. 1 overall pick) don’t appear to be sold on either one. As is usual for Boston, they could go outside the box. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, the team is considering Kansas swingman Josh Jackson.

Via Bleacher Report:

“We like him a lot,” a Celtics source told ESPN.com’s Chad Ford on Thursday. “But we like several guys a lot. We’ve got a week to figure it out.”

As much as this seems like a planted report, it wouldn’t be the first time Boston broke from the norm.

Their draft picks of Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown came completely out of left field.

Rozier, 23, and Brown, 20, both look like promising young prospects. Per Bleacher Report, Ford’s same source said the Celtics are “strongly considering” options other than Fultz.

Ford also spoke to a general manager who thinks Jackson is a Danny Ainge type of player.

“I’ve picked Danny’s brain for years,” the general manager said. “Jackson is an Ainge player all the way. Tough, athletic, long, versatile, elite motor. If he’s keeping the pick, Jackson just to me, far and away, is the most Celtics-type player for them to draft. From all my conversations with them, I’m convinced they’ll take Jackson No. 1.”

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.