On the floor, it might not appear possible that the Celtics will land an impression participant in Thursday night time’s NBA draft.
The Celtics don’t personal a first-round decide after buying and selling that choice to the Pacers final July once they acquired Malcolm Brogdon. They have only one decide on this draft at No. 35 total within the second spherical. Victor Wembanyama and the remainder of this yr’s top-end expertise will clearly be lengthy passed by then, however that doesn’t imply the Celtics can’t discover a hidden gem.
A look on the historical past of gamers chosen at No. 35 reveals that to be true. Draymond Green was drafted there by the Warriors in 2012 and have become a fixture of their dynasty. DeAndre Jordan was picked at No. 35 in 2008 and has carved out a great profession.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis was the thirty fifth alternative by the Sonics in 2007 on the night time he was traded to the Celtics within the Ray Allen deal. The yr earlier than, in 2006, P.J. Tucker was taken by the Raptors. As the Celtics totally know, he’s nonetheless been an element over the past handful of postseasons.
Look additional than No. 35 for extra proof that the Celtics can discover somebody a lot helpful within the second spherical. Nikola Jokic (No. 41, 2014), Khris Middleton (No. 39, 2012), Brogdon (No. 36, 2016), Jae Crowder (No. 34, 2012) and Jalen Brunson (No. 33, 2018) are among the many league’s most impactful second-rounders lately. And you don’t should remind the Celtics that Isaiah Thomas was the sixtieth and ultimate decide in 2011.
This is all to say, this isn’t some throwaway decide for the Celtics. They can actually seize somebody on Thursday who might help their championship pursuit within the coming years.
So, who is likely to be on the board for the Celtics on Thursday night time? A have a look at some prospects:
G.G. Jackson, PF, South Carolina
Jackson was regarded by some as the highest prospect within the 2022 highschool recruiting class earlier than committing to hometown South Carolina, the place he confirmed flashes of his potential – he was the second-highest scoring freshman within the SEC behind lottery decide Brandon Miller – however had some rising pains as a freshman that may possible pressure him to slip right down to the late first spherical or early second. At 6-foot-9, 215 kilos, Jackson has the bodily instruments and uncooked capacity for the following degree. He’s a pure scorer with promise defensively. At 18 years previous, he’s the youngest participant within the draft and will probably be one thing of a undertaking. A scenario just like the Celtics would possibly go well with him as he grows into his upside.
Andre Jackson, SF, UConn
A fraction of Celtics followers would welcome the number of Jackson, an athletic wing who was key in serving to UConn win a nationwide championship. The 6-foot-6 Jackson tasks as a robust, versatile defender on the NBA degree however his lack of offensive pedigree lands him as a possible second-round alternative. Jackson was only a 28.1 % 3-point shooter as a junior on solely 2.5 makes an attempt per sport and struggles to create his personal photographs. He’ll actually want to enhance on that finish however his protection will get him on the ground early in his profession.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Indiana
Jackson-Davis was top-of-the-line gamers within the nation and a first-team All-American this season for good cause. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound high-flier is an athletic and versatile huge who can leap above defenses and work effectively across the basket with superior submit strikes and rim assaults on lobs. He ought to excel within the pick-and-roll sport along with his playmaking capacity as an enormous, and he has the flexibility to defend at a excessive degree after blocking practically three photographs per sport in school. He’ll want to enhance his outdoors taking pictures – he solely took three 3-point makes an attempt over 4 school seasons – to turn into extra of an element, however he has nice upside. The Celtics, in want of extra frontcourt depth, may very well be a match.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF, UCLA
There’s a great likelihood Jaquez doesn’t even attain the second spherical. Some mock drafts have pegged the ahead as a mid-first choice, whereas others have him within the second. There doesn’t appear to be a consensus on him. But if he falls to the Celtics, they might be getting a mature and polished participant who has drawn comparisons to Kevin McHale along with his superior footwork and submit capacity. He could also be a step sluggish defensively however could make up for it along with his hustle and instincts on that finish of the ground. Like others on this spot, he has main room for enchancment along with his 3-point taking pictures – he was a 32.8 % shooter from downtown over 4 years at UCLA – however has the make-up and expertise in different areas to be an impression participant on the subsequent degree.
Julian Phillips, SF, Tennessee
Phillips might have stood to boost his inventory and develop some extra after spending only one yr in school however he nonetheless has nice upside as a possible late first or early second spherical decide. He’s some of the athletic wings on this draft – he posted a vertical of 43 inches, one of the best on this yr’s mix – and the 6-foot-7 ahead brings an energetic, robust and versatile presence defensively. He’s a robust rebounder and playmaker however has vital room for enchancment offensively, the place he struggled to shoot from deep as a freshman. His 82.2 % mark on the free throw line suggests he can enhance his taking pictures. With just a few extra years of improvement, he may very well be a stable rotation piece and wing depth behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Source: www.bostonherald.com