Jared Sullinger: 5 Teams That Could Steal the Ohio State Star on Draft Night

Jared Sullinger's stock continues to fall.

The former Ohio State stud was red flagged for back issues at the draft combine in Chicago a couple weeks ago, and now, there are rumblings that he may even tumble out of the top 20.

But if those back problems aren't as big a deal as some GMs seem to think they'll be, Sullinger could wind up being an absolute steal for a number of teams picking outside of the lottery.

Here's a look at a handful of them.

1. Boston Celtics

The Celts were the worst rebounding team in the NBA last season and still managed to get within one game of the NBA Finals.

Sullinger swallows up rebounds, not to mention the fact that he's as polished a low-post scorer as there is in the draft.

Did we mention the C's need low-post scoring in a major way as well?

Should the Celts stay at No. 21 and No. 22, or even just in one of those two slots, and Sullinger drops that far, he will be hard to pass up. He could be taller, but other than that, his game fits right into exactly what Boston needs right now.

A top-10 talent at No. 21 or No. 22?

Gotta do it.

2. Orlando Magic

At No. 19, the Magic could be looking to take a point guard, assuming Jameer Nelson opts out next week.

Or, they could do themselves and every NBA observer a solid and end their relationship with the miserable Dwight Howard, then take a low-post force like Sullinger to help replace what Howard provides.

Orlando is likely to have to rebuild should it say good riddance to Howard. It will need help everywhere to ease the transition into its next era.

Getting multiple picks if such a deal is consummated before the actual draft will be a requisite part of the package, one would suppose.

If the Magic remain in or near the bottom third of the first round, though, trade or no trade, Sullinger has to be a guy at whom they look.

3. Atlanta Hawks

Word on the street says Atlanta is shopping Josh Smith.

If he's moved, there could be a giant hole at power forward for the perennially underachieving Hawks.

Sullinger could step right in and contribute to a Hawks offense that seemed completely disinterested in doing anything but shooting jumpers in their playoff series against the Celtics this past spring.

Smith was a big culprit in that offensive plan, readily abandoning his enormous size and athletic advantage on the block in favor of jacking up three-pointers all over the place seemingly at all times.

The Hawks are just fine on the perimeter with Joe Johnson and Jeff Teague. They need someone to share the low-post load with the excellent Al Horford.

Smith is not interested in being that guy.

Come to think of it, maybe the Hawks should take a long look at Sullinger, even if they don't deal Smith. Keeping him isn't going to magically change him into the player he should be.

4. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets look strong up front with Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari and (if they keep him) RFA Javale McGee.

But Sullinger would add toughness and more inside scoring ability to a team swimming in perimeter talent.

Denver looks as though it's going to lose point guard Andre Miller to free agency, which means it may be looking at someone to replace him. Or, it could try to move up into to the lottery, as was rumored on Wednesday.

If they stay at No. 20, though, Sullinger may be too tantalizing to pass up.

5. Indiana Pacers

Roy Hibbert is a restricted free agent.

If he goes, the Pacers will have a gigantic hole up front.

Sullinger is nowhere near the athlete Hibbert is, not to mention he's six inches shorter.

But the Pacers could get some mileage out of potentially replacing some of what Hibbert gives them with what Sullinger is capable of. He's also a hard worker, which seems to be a hallmark of the Pacers as currently constituted since their most recent rebuilding effort was launched two years ago.

If Sullinger is there at No. 26, Indiana has to grab him.