Celtics 2024 NBA Draft: Brad Stevens’ philosophy and 10 targets at pick #30

“We’ll get pleasure from tonight,” Brad Stevens mentioned throughout championship celebration after successful Sport 5 final Monday. “However…that draft exercise tomorrow…that needs to be enjoyable.”

No relaxation for the depraved. Simply over per week after successful their league-leading 18th title in franchise historical past, the Boston Celtics are prepping for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Switches are flipping from a grueling playoff run to a variety of draft prospects who may very well be out there at pics No. 30 and 54.

Like final yr, when Jordan Walsh was Boston’s solely draft takeaway, Brad Stevens and the entrance workplace are getting into this yr’s occasion with the same thought course of: Including assist for the longer term.

“I feel there’s a whole lot of transferring elements to preserving this roster sustainable past this yr, however particularly to this yr is we obtained a whole lot of guys again,” Stevens mentioned on Tuesday. “It will likely be laborious for any draft decide to crack our rotation when wholesome.

“And so, we’ll take into consideration how we will greatest proceed to spend money on younger gamers and their improvement and progress, with the truth that, if we’re in a position to proceed to maneuver ahead with this group, these guys are going to be on the courtroom. So, this might be a great alternative once more to usher in any person who we predict will assist us down the highway.”

The Celtics have gotten very costly, very quick. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White are each due extensions within the close to future, and Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Vacation all already make over $30 million per season.

Sustaining that value level can solely be justified by resounding success, which they achieved this season. However concurrently, guaranteeing future triumph revolves across the identical ideas that Joe Mazzulla stresses on the courtroom: Profitable the margins.

Boston’s end-of-bench gamers is probably not enjoying an enormous position now, however as Horford (38 years outdated), Vacation (34 years outdated), and Porzingis (28 years outdated with an damage historical past) become old, they need to be ready to fill the gaps.

Stevens is continually considering forward, and this yr’s draft might be no completely different.

“So far as the picks go, if the appropriate particular person is offered at 30, then we’ll take them, and if we now have a few those who we predict are nonetheless the appropriate particular person, then we’ll see what our choices are and what sort of flexibility we now have,” Stevens mentioned.

“However I anticipate choosing a few picks, and whether or not they’re on the roster or a two-way, investing in younger gamers, I just- If they arrive in and crack our rotation, then they’re actually good. That’ll be a great factor, too.”

Although there is probably not any gamers out there worthy of rapid rotation minutes, loads of prospects challenge as spectacular long-term additions, and Stevens famous that he expects to make two choices.

There might be a big selection of choices out there to the Celtics, notably at decide No. 30.

Celtics 2024 NBA Draft targets at decide No. 30

Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

Age: 23 years outdated | Place: WingHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 6-foot-8Stats (Fifth-12 months Senior): 18.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 44.8% FG, 38.1% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Massive Brandin Podziemski (The Ringer), Joe Ingles (NBA.com), Gordon Hayward (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Greater Austin Reaves lite

After 5 years in school, three at South Dakota State and two at Creighton, Baylor Scheierman enters the NBA Draft as probably the most NBA-ready offensive gamers. A easy lefty stroke aids him in being one of many higher shooters within the class, and he’s an adept playmaker for his measurement and place, too. His shot creation skills have additionally been polished by years of being a main choice in school, and his rebounding has shined, too.

The defensive considerations are actual, as he’s by no means been nice at staying in entrance of men attributable to his poor athleticism and total flat-footedness.

Ought to Boston goal Scheierman, who has been in with the Celtics for a exercise, they’d probably put him on the trail to being one other Sam Hauser-type participant.

Scheierman’s defensive limitations appear a bit tougher to beat than Hauser’s struggles initially of his profession. That mentioned, he’s a greater total shot-creator and playmaker than Hauser is.

Tyler Smith, G League Ignite

Age: 19 years outdated | Place: ForwardHeight: 6-foot-10 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1Stats: 13.4 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 48.1% FG, 36.4% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Charlie Villanueva (The Ringer), Channing Frye (NBA.com), Trey Lyles (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Extra athletic Santi Aldama

An up-and-down yr for Tyler Smith with the G League Ignite had his draft projections far and wide. He was sizzling to start out the yr, incomes lottery consideration, however his manufacturing slowly waned, and now, he’s projected to land later within the first spherical.

One other lefty shooter, Smith proved able to draining triples, and at 6-foot-10, that’s a useful commodity no matter the remainder of his ability set. His athleticism makes him a possible hazard within the pick-and-roll, too.

But regardless of having an amazing NBA physique, Smith’s protection nonetheless isn’t in an amazing place. He will get beat off the dribble too simply and is much too keen when leaping at pump fakes. It’s paying homage to an early Robert Williams III at occasions however with out the ultra-elite instincts.

There’s a transparent define for Smith to grow to be a productive participant within the NBA for a very long time along with his offensive expertise and body, however the protection and total endurance want work.

Adem Bona, UCLA

Age: 21 years outdated | Place: CenterHeight: 6-foot-9 | Wingspan: 7-foot-4Stats (Sophomore): 12.4 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 blocks, 58.8% FGVarious NBA comparisons: Montrezl Harrell (The Ringer), Isaiah Jackson (NBA.com), Clint Capela (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Linebacker Daniel Gafford

Adem Bona performs with unimaginable vitality. At his measurement and along with his wingspan, he has all of the makings of a freakish rim-runner who can throw his all on the glass on each ends of the ground. He may very well be an incredible above-the-rim risk. That mentioned, the remainder of his offensive sport wants a whole lot of work. Bona isn’t an amazing passer and has no semblance of a three-point shot, which may restrict his position on the Celtics long-term.

Defensively, Bona may find yourself being an actual risk when serving to over within the paint. He has nice shot-blocking instincts and the wingspan to place them to good use. Like all freak-athlete defenders, nevertheless, Bona can get in foul bother on occasion.

As outlined by Tyler Rucker of No Ceilings on the How ‘Bout Them Celtics podcast, UCLA introduced in a bunch of worldwide recruits that didn’t pan out in Bona’s sophomore season. He was thrust into a job he’s not used to, changing into extra of a publish participant, so his scouting is a bit wonky.

If Bona needs to stay on the NBA stage, he’ll should work on his self-discipline, and the offense might want to come alongside considerably, however his vitality and hustle are sufficient to make groups need him round regardless.

AJ Johnson, Illawarra Hawks (NBL)

Age: 19 years outdated | Place: GuardHeight: 6-foot-5 | Wingspan: 6-foot-8Stats: 2.9 factors, 1.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 35.5% FG, 27.8% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Nick Younger (The Ringer), Jamal Crawford (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Jordan Clarkson

AJ Johnson is among the weirdest prospects on this class, as he has a few of the clearest upside on the board. However with how unstable his season with the Illawarra Hawks (coached by Justin Tatum, Jayson’s dad) within the NBL was, it’s powerful to inform how properly he’ll do within the NBA.

Initially, Johnson dedicated to Texas, however he ended up deciding to hitch the NBL as an alternative. Sadly, he didn’t earn constant minutes, so he wasn’t in a position to get any semblance of continuity, and it might have affected his effectivity.

Talking of, Johnson was wholly inefficient when he did play for the Hawks, however he confirmed some actual potential to grow to be a top-tier scorer and playmaker. He’s shifty, fast, and an explosive athlete. Jalen Inexperienced and him are long-time pals.

Johnson confirmed some flashes of improved protection throughout his time within the NBL, however his small body may maintain him again a bit in that regard. He’ll have loads of time to enhance, however Johnson is a whole challenge participant proper now.

Ulrich Chomche, NBA Academy Africa

Age: 18 years outdated | Place: CenterHeight: 6-foot-11 | Wingspan: 7-foot-4Stats (three video games): 13.0 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.7 blocks, 42.4% FG, 38.1% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Serge Ibaka (The Ringer), Serge Ibaka (NBA.com), Clint Capela (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Serge Ibaka lite

One other very uncooked prospect, Ulrich Chomche seems to be like he may very well be a drive on each ends of the courtroom if he lives as much as his full potential. However that’s an enormous “if” contemplating he solely began enjoying basketball at 11 years outdated and by no means performed school or professional ball.

Chomche, who’s from Cameroon, is a product of NBA Academy Africa. There, he confirmed off his elite potential on the defensive facet of the ball. He’s an amazing athlete who strikes remarkably properly for his measurement and has proven the power to roam down low and document wild blocks.

His three-point shot is extraordinarily weird-looking, however it fell at a good fee throughout his Academy video games (albeit on comparatively low quantity). As a lob goal and offensive rebounder, Chomche can also be efficient, however in every single place else, he wants to enhance.

The true purpose why Chomche isn’t increased up on draft boards is due to how actually uncooked he’s as a prospect. He’s nonetheless determining the sport on a sure stage. There are transferring screens, positioning points, and total, he simply wants time to totally develop.

Ryan Dunn, Virginia

Age: 21 years outdated | Place: WingHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1Stats (Sophomore): 8.1 factors, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 54.8% FG, 20.0% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Herb Jones (The Ringer), Matisse Thybulle (NBA.com), Tari Eason (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Supercharged, massive Danny Inexperienced (with no offense)

If Trae Younger is the perfect all-offense, no-defense participant within the NBA, Ryan Dunn is the antithesis of him. If Matisse Thybulle was the perfect all-defense, no-offense draft prospect in recent times, Dunn takes that notion to a different stage on each ends of the spectrum.

The Virginia product will step into the NBA as probably the most spectacular defenders instantly. He’s the perfect all-around defender on this class and an absolute menace on the perimeter. Dunn is the kind of participant different gamers hate to go up in opposition to.

Sadly, that stage of intimidation is met by the alternative on the opposite finish of the ground. The surface shot is totally off, he can not create for himself in any respect, and the one actual position he can have is that of an off-ball cutter. That mentioned, he’s athletic, so he can stand up and end on the rim at a satisfactory fee.

If Dunn was even a satisfactory three-point shooter, he can be a possible top-10 decide on this yr’s draft. However he’s not. Any group that drafts Dunn must be assured of their capability to wholly remodel his offensive sport.

Pacome Dadiet, Ratiopharm (Germany)

Age: 18 years outdated | Place: ForwardHeight: 6-foot-9 | Wingspan: 6-foot-9Stats (Germany): 6.6 factors, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 50.2% FG, 35.8% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Michael Finley (The Ringer), Isaac Okoro (NBA.com), Tobias Harris (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Tall, skinny Joe Johnson

Pacome Dadiet has shot up draft boards in current weeks regardless of not enjoying a ton of minutes for Ratiopharm in Germany. The younger French prospect continues to be very uncooked however has the define of a top-notch scorer on the NBA stage.

There are few prospects fairly as fluid as Dadiet is with the ball in his arms. His quantity was low in Germany, however when he had the rock, he all the time appeared like he knew what he was doing. Now, generally he didn’t, and it resulted in youthful, sloppy turnovers, however it’s clear that the circulation is there.

Dadiet initiatives to be a great three-point shooter and needs to be a strong playmaker as properly, although he didn’t do a lot of that with Ratiopharm. Defensively, he has the construct to be a reasonably versatile defender.

General, Dadiet simply wants to chop out the foolish errors and show that he can do what he did in Germany at the next stage with extra touches and in opposition to more durable competitors. Straightforward sufficient… proper? Realistically, Dadiet is a challenge participant who may growth (and can probably be chosen earlier than decide No. 30).

PJ Corridor, Clemson

Age: 22 years outdated | Place: Ahead/CenterHeight: 6-foot-9 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1Stats (Senior): 18.3 factors, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, 48.8% FG, 31.5% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Submit-prime Blake Griffin (The Ringer), Dean Wade (NBA.com), Tom Gugliotta (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Miami Warmth Kevin Love

PJ Corridor suits completely into the mould of a top-tier school participant seeking to translate what labored for him at that stage right into a profession within the NBA. The query is whether or not or not he’ll efficiently be capable of do this.

Regardless of the poor numbers his senior season, the three-point shot is there—he shot 39.8% his junior season (on two fewer makes an attempt per sport). Corridor relied on his post-game lots in school, which he gained’t be capable of do as a lot within the professionals, however it gave him a pleasant really feel across the basket.

Corridor is aware of what he’s doing on the defensive finish, however his total lack of athleticism holds him again. Positionally, he’s near-perfect, however he will get beat off the dribble attributable to his lack of quickness and may get antsy, leaping at too many fakes.

The 22-year-old has a pleasant really feel for the sport and may very well be a connective massive man off the pine if developed appropriately, however he’ll should show his three-point shot is constant and enhance defensively on the perimeter to make up for being undersized at his place.

Enrique Freeman, Akron

Age: 24 years outdated (in July) | Place: ForwardHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2Stats (Fifth-12 months Senior): 18.6 factors, 12.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, 58.4% FG, 37.0% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Tari Eason (The Ringer)Jack’s NBA comparability: Smaller Kevon Looney (possibly with a jumper)

A couple of months in the past, Enrique Freeman wasn’t on anybody’s draft radar. Now, he’s a possible second-round decide. He was a walk-on at Akron, and after declaring for the NBA Draft, he, as outlined by O’Connor, “acquired a Portsmouth Invitational Event invite, then earned a G League Elite Camp invite, after which was requested to take part within the NBA draft mix.”

Freeman boasts an incessant work ethic that bleeds its manner onto the courtroom by the use of his infectious hustle. He’s all the time within the combine for rebounds and performs with a fireplace that exhibits itself in even the smallest motions he makes on the courtroom.

His insane wingspan makes him a powerful offensive rebounder, and whereas he was defending bigs in school, he has the make-up and hustle to maintain up with forwards, which he should do within the NBA.

Although he’s made enhancements, Freeman’s shot nonetheless isn’t all the way in which there, and he’ll should play a really completely different model of basketball if he needs to stay on the NBA stage. However by way of hustle, there are few gamers who can outdo Freeman on this draft class.

Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco

Age: 22 years outdated | Place: Ahead/CenterHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2Stats (Senior): 14.2 factors, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, 63.6% FGVarious NBA comparisons: Ben Simmons if he had been a hooper (The Ringer), Kenneth Faried (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Massive man Josh Hart (with no jumper)

Jonathan Mogbo is a really attention-grabbing case, as he has all of the instruments to be one of many extra versatile gamers on this draft—he simply can’t shoot. That’s what’s going to finish up holding him again, particularly with how undersized he’s.

That mentioned, Mogbo may find yourself being one of many higher all-around defenders on this class. He can dangle with guards, wings, and bigs alike, and his offensive sport (exterior of his scoring) is comparable in that respect.

Mogbo is a powerful playmaker able to pushing the tempo on offense and figuring out of the quick roll. That’s the kind of basketball IQ that groups like to have on their squad. Plus, his large wingspan helps him corral a ton of offensive rebounds.

Sadly, Mogbo’s three-point shot doesn’t really feel like it’s going to get there, and whereas he’s a strong finisher across the rim, that would restrict his alternatives within the NBA, as he’s rather more of a ahead than a middle at his measurement. But when Boston needs to work with him and discover a strategy to make it work, Mogbo is definitely a particularly distinctive expertise.

Different potential Celtics targets: Bobi Klintman (NBL), Quinten Submit (Boston Faculty), Pelle Larsson (Arizona), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas), Harrison Ingram (North Carolina), Cam Spencer (UConn), Trentyn Flowers (NBL)