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NBA Mock Draft: Boston Celtics trade for #8, select Kristaps Porzingis

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SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making or trading "their" team's pick. We continue with the next pick in the 2015 NBA Mock Draft, with CelticsBlog selecting Kristaps Porzingis following a trade with Detroit Bad Boys.

NBA Mock Draft Pick #8 -- Kristaps Porzingis, Forward, Latvia

The Pistons trade 8th overall pick to the Boston Celtics. Celtics send back Kelly Olynyk, 16th & 33rd overall picks.

SB Nation's Celtics blog, CelticsBlog, explains the pick:

The Celtics have a lot of picks and young players but needed to upgrade the talent on the roster. Moving up allowed them to pick the 7 footer Porzingis who some feel could wind up being the best player from this draft. His shooting and rim-protection potential fit nicely with the system that Brad Stevens is implementing. Kelly Olynyk is a nice rotation player but has a limited ceiling and shares time with Sullinger already. This trade makes this young team even less experienced in the short term, but should be a long term upgrade. Pistons trade 8th overall pick to the Boston Celtics. Celtics send back Kelly Olynyk, 16th & 33rd overall picks. Celtics taking Porzingis.

The Celtics have a lot of picks and young players but needed to upgrade the talent on the roster. Moving up allowed them to pick the 7 footer Porzingis who some feel could wind up being the best player from this draft. His shooting and rim-protection potential fit nicely with the system that Brad Stevens is implementing. The downside is that he's going to take time to develop.

Kelly Olynyk is a nice rotation player but has a limited ceiling and shares time with Sullinger (and others) already. This trade makes this young team even less experienced in the short term, but should be a long term upgrade. There's also a very good chance that a lot other moves could be on the horizon come July 1st.

SB Nation's Pistons blog, Detroit Bad Boys, explains the trade:

It's not going to be easy to fill holes in the starting lineup at both small forward and power forward this summer. By trading the pick, we get a solution at one of those spots while also still getting a solid pick in a deep draft.

Olynyk is a great fit for the direction this team is heading. With Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond causing havoc in the pick and roll game, Olynyk will get a lot of open shots. It was tempting to keep the pick, or even ask for Sullinger instead with his superior rebounding ability, but Olynyk's mobility off the ball should make him better for our team.

With the 16th pick, we also should still be able to grab a quality prospect for the wing - not with the upside of others perhaps, but still someone solid who should be able to contribute right away.

1) Minnesota Timberwolves: KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS

2) Los Angeles Lakers: JAHLIL OKAFOR

3) Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia 76ers): D'ANGELO RUSSELL

4) New York Knicks: JUSTISE WINSLOW

5) Orlando Magic: WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN

6) Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings): MARIO HEZONJA

7) Denver Nuggets: EMMANUEL MUDIAY

8) Boston Celtics (via Detroit Pistons): KRISTAPS PORZINGIS

9) Charlotte Hornets

10) Miami Heat

11) Indiana Pacers

12) Utah Jazz

13) Phoenix Suns

14) Oklahoma City Thunder

15) Atlanta Hawks

16) Boston Celtics

17) Milwaukee Bucks

18) Houston Rockets

19) Washington Wizards

20) Toronto Raptors

21) Dallas Mavericks

22) Chicago Bulls

23) Portland Trail Blazers

24) Cleveland Cavaliers

25) Memphis Grizzlies

26) San Antonio Spurs

27) Los Angeles Lakers

28) Boston Celtics

29) Brooklyn Nets

30) Golden State Warriors