Ford confirms Sheldon Williams promise

[Berry, Mark S]

Good news for the Celts. Chad Ford has confirmed with two sources - one
close to Sheldon Williams and one close to Hawks GM Billy Knight - that
the Landlord does indeed have a promise from the Hawks at 5. That's
amazing to me, but great news for the Celts.

 

That makes the top of the draft look something like this:

 

Toronto --- Bargnani

Chicago --- Tyrus Thomas/LaMarcus Aldridge/Brandon Roy

Charlotte --- Roy/Rudy Gay/Adam Morrison

Portland --- Morrison/Roy

Atlanta --- Landlord

Minnesota --- Gay/Roy/Aldridge/Thomas

Boston --- whoever is left out of that bunch

 

If I had to guess today, I'd say the Bulls take Thomas, Charlotte takes
Gay, Portland takes Morrison, and Minnesota is choosing between Aldridge
and Roy. The Celts would get whoever McHale doesn't pick. That would be
great.

 

This also makes that seventh pick even more attractive for someone
looking to trade for it. Imagine if Roy is sitting there - the most
NBA-ready player in the draft. I would think the offers would be rolling
in.

 

The names I'm really hoping to hear go off the board before the Celtics
pick: Rudy Gay and Sheldon Williams. If that happens, we're getting a
good player.

 

Mark (who can't wait until the day no one cares what Antoine Walker
says)