Five Celtics’ draft options to watch during March Madness

We’ve reached the purpose within the 12 months the place school basketball grabs the highlight for a bit because the NBA gears up for what must be one other thrilling postseason. The Celtics’ roster is ready for his or her title protection, however the scouting division will undoubtedly have an eye fixed on the NCAA match, looking for gamers worthy of donning the inexperienced and white.

Brad Stevens can determine expertise at an especially excessive stage, and he’s been nearly flawless in constructing round his stars. The draft marks the one space the place he has but to actually depart his mark. Since taking on because the President of Basketball Operations, Stevens has chosen the next gamers: Juhann Begarin, JD Davison, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Anton Watson.

Watson was waived in his rookie 12 months, and Begarin’s probabilities to ever make his technique to Boston really feel slim. Davison has turn into a star for Maine, however his manufacturing throughout restricted call-ups to the large membership makes it really feel like a longshot for him to stay with the staff. Walsh and Scheierman have each proven encouraging flashes, however they’ll have to proceed constructing on that to determine themselves as rotation items.

A majority of Stevens’ choices have been within the mid to late second spherical, with Scheierman being the best choose of the bunch going thirtieth in 2024. He’s not whiffing on lottery picks, but it surely’ll turn into more and more necessary to replenish the rotation with younger, cost-controlled expertise, and this draft provides him an opportunity to just do that.

With March Insanity able to begin, listed here are 5 gamers to look at that Boston may think about once they’re on the clock in June.

Danny Wolf (Michigan, PF/C)

Danny Wolf has an especially fascinating skillset, and could possibly be uniquely beneficial in the correct state of affairs. It’s uncommon to discover a 7-footer able to working as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, who may also sling cross courtroom passes, and knock down jumpers off the dribble.

Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics like bigs that may make fast selections and cross on the transfer. It’s not onerous to see Wolf being utilized in dribble handoff situations the place he can preserve it, or set a display screen and roll into open area. Being snug as a decision-maker in that quick roll space would make him a fantastic possibility when defenses elect to entice Jayson Tatum. He’s additionally spent this season taking part in subsequent to 7’1” Vladislav Goldin, so it wouldn’t be a problem if Mazzulla wished to deploy him in double massive lineups.

It’s unlikely that Wolf turns into a high-level defender within the NBA, however he’s playable on that finish, and the offensive talent could possibly be sufficient to earn him minutes rapidly.

The place to look at: Thursday, March 20 (5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego, 10 p.m. | TBS

Isaiah Evans (Duke, Wing)

The most important promoting level for Isaiah Evans is that he’s a human flamethrower from deep.

As a freshman, he’s flattening 44% of his threes. Evans has been primarily forged as an off-ball weapon for this proficient Duke staff, and he has constantly offered them with a prompt the bench.

With restricted reps as an on-ball creator, he’s filling a job that will not elevate his draft inventory, but it surely’s a fantastic have a look at what a staff just like the Celtics would wish from him. It’s no secret that Boston is probably the most prolific 3-point capturing staff within the league, so it’s straightforward to think about them including one other marksman to the combo.

The place to look at: Friday, March 21 (1) Duke vs. (16) Mount St. Mary’s/American, 2:50 p.m. | CBS

Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton, C)

With Luke Kornet’s free company looming, Ryan Kalkbrenner may slide proper in to fill his (huge) footwear.

Age and upside are the largest drawbacks with Kalkbrenner. He’ll be almost 23 and 1⁄2 on draft day, and is at present ending up his fifth season at Creighton. This shouldn’t be ignored, but it surely’s a bit much less significant for a contending staff like Boston which will want a extra ready-to-play prospect.

Kalkbrenner thrives within the areas the commonly matter most for a backup massive. He’s a improbable rim protector, screens effectively, finishes on the roll, and is exceptionally tall. He can step out and knock down the occasional three, however primarily based on how Kornet’s time with the Celtics has gone, they’d in all probability have him follow the fundamentals.

Boston has invested time and sources for the event of Kornet and Queta, and with the worth they place on dimension, Kalkbrenner looks like the kind of massive Stevens would goal.

The place to look at: Thursday, March 20 (8) Louisville vs. (9) Creighton, 12:15 p.m. | CBS

Nique Clifford (Colorado State, Wing)

Nique Clifford is one other tremendous senior, and just like Kalkbrenner, he’ll be 23 on the day of the draft. This limits his perceived ceiling, however the participant Clifford is as we speak seems like a superb guess to affect profitable within the NBA.

Clifford is an explosive athlete with the flexibility to play in Boston’s switch-heavy defensive system. He’s additionally displayed the power to function successfully each on and off the ball, averaging 19 factors per recreation whereas flattening 40% of his threes. The Celtics don’t have a ton of obtainable reps for self-creation, however Clifford has the instruments so as to add worth while not having to be featured as a scorer.

Right now, Clifford seems like a extra well-rounded wing prospect then both Walsh or Scheierman, contemplating the dearth of a significant gap in his recreation.

The place to look at: Friday, March 21 (5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State, 2 p.m. | TBS

Will Riley (Illinois, SF)

Will Riley is the youngest prospect on this record at simply 19 years outdated. He’d be a much less NBA-ready alternative, however at 6’8 he could possibly be an fascinating upside play.

Wings at his dimension that may dribble cross and shoot are wanted, and whereas the capturing is streaky, Riley has proven encouraging indicators of three-level scoring means. If Boston is keen to be affected person together with his growth, they may add one other shot-creating wing to select up among the scoring load from the Jays over the subsequent few years.

With the Celtics positioned as a contender for the foreseeable future, It’s attainable they’d quite choose somebody that may contribute immediately. Riley will want extra time to fill out his body, and possibly a number of journeys to Maine, however he could possibly be a major injection of talent and youth.

The place to look at: Friday, March 21 (6) Illinois vs. (11) Xavier/Texas, 9:45 p.m. | TNT

Barring one thing unexpected, Boston is ready to complete with the third finest file within the league, and choose #28 within the draft. In addition they personal the Washington Wizards 2nd spherical choose, which is at present #32. This offers them two pictures at discovering an affect participant, or a compelling commerce package deal in the event that they wish to transfer up a number of spots.

There are many different names to look out for because the chaos of March Insanity begins, however these 5 fill a necessity and/or have traits that the Celtics search for. This group additionally tasks to be obtainable across the time Boston is on the clock. In any other case, I’d’ve listed Cooper Flagg 5 instances and referred to as it a day.