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It's really not worth debating the pros and cons of the Kendrick Perkins trade from the perspective of the Boston Celtics anymore. What we can say, however, is this aging roster could use a young addition to the frontcourt. According to reports, Boston will get its first up close look at several players who could potentially fill that role in the not too distant future.
Team officials, including Danny Ainge, will be in Waltham, MA this afternoon to observe a group that includes Justin Harper (Richmond), Keith Benson (Oakland), Jamie Skeen (VCU), Lavoy Allen (Temple) and Frank Hassell (Old Dominion). The Celtics own the No. 25 and No. 50 picks in the draft and based on what team officials have said to this point, it appears as though this group of players will be considered for the second round selection. This of course could - and likely will - trim the list of available players left from this crop of big men.
Harper and Benson are the two most likely to come off the board first, with the Richmond forward possibly sneaking into the first round. Benson could be a nice option for Boston if he is still on the board late in the second round, but would need time to get stronger in order to handle the rigors of life in the paint at the pro level. DraftExpress currently has both players projected to land in the upper half of the second round with Harper going No. 38 to Houston and Benson landing at No. 42 to Indiana.
Skeen, Allen and Hassell are all currently projected to go undrafted, though the VCU forward has been listed as a late second round choice at various points in the last month following the Rams improbable run to the Final Four. Currently he is listed as the 68th best prospect on DX's big board, with Allen also making the cut at No. 90. Hassell is not ranked in the top 100.
Boston is working out several other big men in the coming days with Wisconsin's John Leuer expected to be in attendance tomorrow, while Terrence Jennings (Louisville) and Vernon Macklin (Florida) taking the floor on Monday. It's possible one of these players could be available late in the second round, but the Celtics may come up empty if waiting until then to make a run at Harper or Benson.