Five Celtics’ draft options to watch during March Madness

We’ve reached the purpose within the yr the place school basketball grabs the highlight for a bit because the NBA gears up for what needs to 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 event, looking for gamers worthy of donning the inexperienced and white.

Brad Stevens can determine expertise at a particularly excessive degree, and he’s been nearly flawless in constructing round his stars. The draft marks the one space the place he has but to really go away his mark. Since taking up 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 yr, and Begarin’s possibilities to ever make his strategy 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 crew. Walsh and Scheierman have each proven encouraging flashes, however they’ll must proceed constructing on that to ascertain themselves as rotation items.

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

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

Danny Wolf (Michigan, PF/C)

Danny Wolf has a particularly attention-grabbing skillset, and could possibly be uniquely useful in the suitable state of affairs. It’s uncommon to discover a 7-footer able to working as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, who also can sling cross courtroom passes, and knock down jumpers off the dribble.

Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics like bigs that may make fast choices and move on the transfer. It’s not arduous to see Wolf being utilized in dribble handoff eventualities the place he can preserve it, or set a display and roll into open house. Being snug as a decision-maker in that quick roll space would make him a fantastic choice when defenses elect to entice Jayson Tatum. He’s additionally spent this season enjoying subsequent to 7’1” Vladislav Goldin, so it wouldn’t be a difficulty if Mazzulla needed 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 shortly.

The place to observe: 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 crew, and he has persistently supplied them with a activate the bench.

With restricted reps as an on-ball creator, he’s filling a task that won’t elevate his draft inventory, however it’s a fantastic take a look at what a crew just like the Celtics would wish from him. It’s no secret that Boston is essentially the most prolific 3-point capturing crew within the league, so it’s straightforward to think about them including one other marksman to the combo.

The place to observe: 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 (monumental) sneakers.

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

Kalkbrenner thrives within the areas the widely matter most for a backup massive. He’s a improbable rim protector, screens nicely, 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 persist with the fundamentals.

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

The place to observe: 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 much like Kalkbrenner, he’ll be 23 on the day of the draft. This limits his perceived ceiling, however the participant Clifford is right this moment appears to be like like a wonderful guess to impression 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 accessible 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 appears to be like like a extra well-rounded wing prospect then both Walsh or Scheierman, contemplating the dearth of a serious gap in his recreation.

The place to observe: 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 previous. He’d be a much less NBA-ready selection, however at 6’8 he could possibly be an attention-grabbing upside play.

Wings at his dimension that may dribble move and shoot are wanted, and whereas the capturing is streaky, Riley has proven encouraging indicators of three-level scoring potential. If Boston is prepared to be affected person together with his improvement, they might add one other shot-creating wing to choose up a few of the scoring load from the Jays over the following few years.

With the Celtics positioned as a contender for the foreseeable future, It’s potential they’d moderately 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 observe: 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 greatest file within the league, and decide #28 within the draft. In addition they personal the Washington Wizards 2nd spherical decide, which is presently #32. This offers them two photographs at discovering an impression participant, or a compelling commerce package deal in the event that they need 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 accessible across the time Boston is on the clock. In any other case, I might’ve listed Cooper Flagg 5 instances and known as it a day.