The Celtics didn’t have to give up much to move from No. 16 in the first round to No. 13 to pick up Kelly Olynyk. It took just two second-round picks for Boston to move up and grab the 7-footer.
In doing so, Boston might have picked up the smartest big man in the draft, at least according to Olynyk’s former coach.
“He’s got an IQ like a point guard. It’s that high,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few told the Boston Herald. “He knows what we are supposed to be doing. He knows what the opponent is doing, so he really has a great feel for the game.”
Olynyk may have to use those smarts to pick up the NBA game and play early in Boston. With Kevin Garnett gone, the Celtics will need some big men out on the court.
Olynyk averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in 2012-13 while picking up West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors.
