NBA Draft 2012: 5 Prospects the Boston Celtics Could Steal

The NBA draft is upon us and the Celtics could be a team that makes a lot of noise. 

Whether they trade up or stand pat at No. 21 and No. 22, the C's need to take this opportunity to answer some of the questions swirling around them in the wake of their Eastern Conference Finals loss to Miami and the potential dismantling of the Big Three.

If the C's stay put in their current draft slots, they will have a number of options. Some players could slide to them, while others, who are projected to be going in the bottom third of the draft's first round may wind up in their laps, right where they've been expected to go.

Or, they could find themselves with a steal or two.

Here's a look at some of those possibilities.

Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones, a power forward with small forward skills, has been all over the place projection wise thus far. Logic says he'll go somewhere in the teens, but the Celts are just one spot below that threshold.

Jones is the kind of dynamic player the Celtics need right now. His wingspan of over 7'0", along with his quickness and athleticism, allows him to guard up to four positions. He's physical and can rebound, and he has a polished post game.

It's hard to imagine Jones getting past Dallas at No. 17 or Houston at No. 18 if the Rockets keep that pick.

But stranger things have happened. And if both he and the Celtics are at No. 21, Boston has to snag him.

Moe Harkless, St. John's

Harkless has been rising in recent weeks, but Celtics Hub thinks it's not out of the realm of possibility that the C's will have a shot at him at No. 21.

Harkless is a smooth, young athlete who can defend multiple positions as well as rebound and block shots at a high rate for someone his size.

That size is a bit of an issue, as Harkless is a twig (6'9", 206 lbs.). But when he fills out, the guy who ESPN.com's Chad Ford compares to a young Trevor Ariza, could explode into a premier player, as well as go a long way toward eventually taking up for Paul Pierce.

Royce White, Iowa State

Where White was once looked at as a guy who may not even be taken in the first round, now he's garnering enough interest that the Celts may not be able to get him at No. 21.

CBSSports.com's college insider Jon Rothstein tweeted that the Rockets are looking at White with one of their three mid-round picks.

Ford has White going No. 20 to Denver and SI.com's Sam Amick slots him to Orlando at No. 19.

White's anxiety disorder has been a newsmaker through this whole process but to his credit, he's been up front about it. The thing is, where before it threatened to knock him down the first-round ladder, now, it's become less of an issue. 

That's good for White. Not so much for a team that covets him, like the C's.

Still, if White is around when the Celts pick and they don't move up, look for him to be wearing green in the fall.

Perry Jones III, Baylor

One of the biggest enigmas in the draft, Jones slips, then rises, then slips again.

It's not his talent, which is off the charts. Or his athleticism, which is the same.

It's his perceived lack of interest. And his lack of a position. And maybe even his lack of a stable knee.

Just the same, if the Celts stay put and keep both of their picks, taking Jones with one of them may be worth the risk. He has the ability to be a star small forward in the NBA provided he puts the time in.

At No. 21 or No. 22, the value of taking a chance on Jones may outweigh the risk. 

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger, the two-time All-American whose back issues earned him a red flag and a slide down a truckload of draft boards, could be the steal of the night.

A big, strong, physical post scorer and rebounder, Sullinger has a lot of what the Celtics need in spades. 

A draft day report from Yahoo! basketball scribe Adrian Wojnarowski suggested Sullinger may well have fallen out of the Top 20.

That would suit the Celtics just fine.