NBA Draft Rumors: Will Jared Sullinger Fall Outside the Top 20?

How the mighty have fallen.

Back in mid-June, Ohio State power forward Jared Sullinger was seen as a lottery pick, maybe even in the Top 5. 

Then he was red-flagged at the Draft Combine in Chicago due to issues with his back.

Then down he tumbled, to the point that on Draft day, Yahoo! Sports NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that Sullinger may not even go in the first 20 picks.

Wojnarowski noted that teams still have interest in Sullinger in the first round despite his back issues.

Sullinger, his father and Ohio State coach Thad Matta have been in major spin control mode since the combine, all of them saying that the big man prospect is fine and can certainly play at the highest level.

It stands to reason that Sullinger is probably the victim of an ill-timed injury. But to assume that he now can't play basketball after working his way into a starring role with a Final Four team and being pegged by most of the so-called experts as a lottery pick is a little bit far-fetched.

So, is Sullinger worth the risk? It's telling that he played in 74 of 76 career games and that he was a two-time All-American with the Buckeyes, facts pointed out by CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish.

Also, it's important to note that three years ago, Pittsburgh big man DaJuan Blair was red flagged for having no ACL's in his knees, slid all the way to the second round, but was chosen by the Spurs and went on to start for them in parts of the past couple seasons.

Regardless, Sullinger will go somewhere in the first round, maybe just not as high as he thought he would initially (something the NBA obviously knows since they didn't even invite him to the draft).

If he falls out of the top 20, more power to a team like the Celtics, who pick at No. 21 and No. 22. If the C's don't trade one or both of those selections, they may jump at the chance to take a physical, tough, rebounder—all attributes they should be looking for.

ESPN.com's Chad Ford has Sullinger going to the C's at No. 22, saying he's, "maybe the best low-post scorer in the draft."

SI.com's Sam Amick has him going in the exact same spot.

There are rumors afoot that Boston is looking to trade up into the later stages of the lottery, using their two first-rounders as part of the package. If they do this, they may leave Sullinger behind to a team like Denver (No. 20) or Indiana (No. 26). 

If they stand pat and take the chance though, they may get exactly what they need.