If the Celtics want to watch Semih Erden's progress over the next year, it likely will have to be on video or in Europe.
The Celtics selected the 6-foot-11-inch center with the 60th overall pick of last year's draft. Erden is under contract with Fenerbahce Ulker in the Turkish League through the 2009-10 season and isn't expected to seek a buyout to try to play for the Celtics . Celtics president Danny Ainge said Erden isn't expected to get permission to play for Boston's summer league team in Orlando, either. Erden averaged 7.9 points and 4.2 rebounds this season in 18.4 minutes per game through 47 contests. The 22-year-old scored a season-high 18 points in 25 minutes against Aliaga March 14. Fenerbahce Ulker is currently in the semifinals of the Turkish League playoffs.
``He looks fine. He's getting better,'' Ainge said. ``We've had our European scout see him play a few times.''
Eurobasket.com writer Mustafa Bozkurt, who covers Turkish Basketball, said in an e-mail, ``He is not ready for the NBA. He should play a few more [years] in Europe and then he should look [at the] NBA.''
Ainge was in Chicago last week for the NBA predraft camp, which now excludes five-on-five play and is mostly drill work. He said he met with about 20 players there.
``It's not a valuable evaluation tool,'' said Ainge. ``You get a chance to meet players and talk to them. The value comes in the physicals and talking to the players.''
Ainge said the Celtics would attend a draft workout in Minneapolis tomorrow and the Reebok Eurocamp June 5-7 in Treviso, Italy. He wasn't certain whether he'd attend the Eurocamp, which includes 48 players ages 18-21.
