NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Atlanta Hawks add LaMelo Ball; Knicks take a risk

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NBA Draft Jalen Smith (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

26. Boston Celtics – Jalen Smith, C, Maryland

Adding another big would be a strong move by the Celtics. One interesting player is Jalen Smith, who has the ability to protect the paint and stretch the defense on the other end of the floor. In a time where bigs need to stretch the floor, Smith might be an ideal fit for the new NBA.

Smith is an interesting big that could make his way up the draft board in the weeks leading up to draft night depending on how he projects during pre-draft workouts. The Celtics have needed an answer at the center position and Smith could be that.

At the very least, taking another big wouldn’t hurt the Celtics’ chances at doing so. The hope is that Boston can find the answer to the position that would also be able to learn and develop with their current core.