2018 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Cavs take a big risk; Trae Young jumps into the top 5

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 20: Brandon McCoy #44 of the UNLV Rebels drives against Tim Harrison #35 of the Rice Owls during day one of the Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 95-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 20: Brandon McCoy #44 of the UNLV Rebels drives against Tim Harrison #35 of the Rice Owls during day one of the Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 95-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

27. Boston Celtics – Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV

The Boston Celtics seem to have it all. They have an extremely talented young core, led by the likes of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Something that they don’t have, however, and have been looking to fill for quite a while is their hole at the center position.

Al Horford has been playing there when it matters (Boston goes small), but taking a center with a ton of potential at this point in the draft would be a safe bet. Plus, there’s not guarantee that Boston will elect to pay Horford the big money that he’s going to warrant on the open market after next season.

Brandon McCoy isn’t ready to be a starter in the NBA just yet, but he has the tools to be a really good center in the future. And McCoy learning under a professional like Horford wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.