NBA Mock Draft 2016: The Boston Celtics Hold Control At No. 3

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) dunks the ball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) dunks the ball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

20. Indiana Pacers: Diamond Stone

The Indiana Pacers are almost certainly seeking a big man with their first round selection this year, and if the basketball gods smile upon them they Domantas Sabonis or Brice Johnson might slip their way down to them at 21.

I don’t really see either happening though, and instead they’ll be stuck picking between Diamond Stone and Damian Jones. Because of the latter’s struggles this past season, I give the edge to Stone here.

Diamond Stone is a skilled big man, capable of immediately contributing to the Pacers offensively. He has substantial room to grow in the NBA, and the fact of the matter is he’ll have the playing time to do so in Indiana for the foreseeable future.

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