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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Jan 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores center Damian Jones (30) after fouling out against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores center Damian Jones (30) after fouling out against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

22. Charlotte Hornets: Damian Jones

One has to imagine that Charlotte Hornets Owner, Michael Jordan, is salivating at the thought of keeping Brice Johnson in North Carolina. Aside from the obvious UNC ties that exist there, the Hornets need to pull in a viable front court asset to replace the likely-departing Al Jefferson.

With Brice Johnson likely off the board no more than a couple of spots earlier, the Hornets will have to address their front court needs with a different draftee. Damian Jones is my next best available big man, and his combination of size and athleticism makes him a moldable piece on both sides of the ball.

I like the potential of the Vanderbilt Junior, he doesn’t have the youth that makes some of the other bigs in the draft very attractive to teams. Under the right tutelage though, we could see him become a serviceable starter in the league very soon.

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