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 needs to be one other thrilling postseason. The Celtics’ roster is about for his or her title protection, however the scouting division will undoubtedly have a watch on the NCAA match, looking for gamers worthy of donning the inexperienced and white.

Brad Stevens can establish 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 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 12 months, and Begarin’s probabilities to ever make his option 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 workforce. Walsh and Scheierman have each proven encouraging flashes, however they’ll have to proceed constructing on that to ascertain themselves as rotation items.

A majority of Stevens’ alternatives 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 offers him an opportunity to just do that.

With March Insanity able to start, listed here are 5 gamers to look at that Boston may take into account 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 worthwhile in the proper state of affairs. It’s uncommon to discover a 7-footer able to working as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, who may sling cross court docket 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 arduous to see Wolf being utilized in dribble handoff situations the place he can hold it, or set a display and roll into open area. Being comfy as a decision-maker in that brief roll space would make him an incredible choice when defenses elect to lure Jayson Tatum. He’s additionally spent this season taking part in subsequent to 7’1” Vladislav Goldin, so it wouldn’t be a difficulty 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 largest promoting level for Isaiah Evans is that he’s a human flamethrower from deep.

As a freshman, he’s pulling down 44% of his threes. Evans has been primarily solid as an off-ball weapon for this proficient Duke workforce, and he has persistently offered them with a activate the bench.

With restricted reps as an on-ball creator, he’s filling a task that will not elevate his draft inventory, but it surely’s an incredible have a look at what a workforce just like the Celtics would want from him. It’s no secret that Boston is probably the most prolific 3-point taking pictures workforce within the league, so it’s simple to think about them including one other marksman to the combination.

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 the moment ending up his fifth season at Creighton. This shouldn’t be ignored, but it surely’s a bit much less significant for a contending workforce like Boston that 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 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 most likely have him keep on with the fundamentals.

Boston has invested time and sources for the event of Kornet and Queta, and with the worth they place on measurement, Kalkbrenner seems 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 right this moment 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 flexibility to function successfully each on and off the ball, averaging 19 factors per recreation whereas pulling down 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.

Presently, 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 checklist at simply 19 years outdated. He’d be a much less NBA-ready selection, however at 6’8 he could possibly be an fascinating upside play.

Wings at his measurement that may dribble cross and shoot are wanted, and whereas the taking pictures is streaky, Riley has proven encouraging indicators of three-level scoring potential. If Boston is keen to be affected person together with his improvement, they may add one other shot-creating wing to choose up a few of 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 slightly choose somebody that may contribute straight away. Riley will want extra time to fill out his body, and possibly a couple of journeys to Maine, however he could possibly be a big 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 about to complete with the third finest report within the league, and choose #28 within the draft. Additionally they personal the Washington Wizards 2nd spherical choose, which is at the moment #32. This provides them two photographs at discovering an affect participant, or a compelling commerce package deal in the event that they wish to transfer up a couple 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 out there across the time Boston is on the clock. In any other case, I might’ve listed Cooper Flagg 5 occasions and referred to as it a day.