Deep Draft Prospects for Celtics to Watch during the Big Dance
Here are some potential second round targets for you to watch during March Madness
It’s a strange year to scout potential Boston Celtics targets. There might be no point. Celtics fans have felt a tremendous storm brewing for what seems like forever. The Brooklyn pick for a superstar that was supposed to hit February 21st flew past without so much as a single snowflake of a roster move.
So, instead, Celtics fans will wait for a more tropical monsoon around June. Many feel like such a trade is so inevitable that getting too attached to Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball would probably be foolish.
Either way, the Celtics are set up to end up with a franchise cornerstone for years to come, so its really okay if Celtics fans aren’t too worried about their three second round picks (39, 53, 57) The odds of immediately replacing a rotational player (like impending free agents Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, and Gerald Green) with a second round pick are extremely low, and not just because second round picks rarely make it in the NBA, but because they are rarely given the chance right away.
For example, Jordan Mickey might still be a great rotational player for the green and a perfect replacement for Johnson. You can look at stats, scouting and progress reports all you want, the bottom line is in the immortal words of Brandt from The Big Lebowski: “Well dude, we just don’t know.”
But just in case you wanted to find the next Mickey or Demetrius Jackson that the Celtics will target in this second round, here is a list of potential Celtics to keep an eye on during the tournament.
As you will soon find out, I am generally looking for wings in the event that the Celtics lose Jerebko and James Young this offseason, and big guys who can rebound and rim protect mostly because the Celtics are desperate for them. Keep in mind there may be players that are better fits but not attending the big dance.
Dillon Brooks, Oregon, 6’7, 21, 16 ppg
DraftExpress Projection: 33rd
Feels like a natural Jerebko replacement. He is already a better shooter, the question is whether he can be athletic enough to complete his offensive game, and defend NBA wings.
I doubt he will be on the board when the Celtics pick at 39, but would be hard to pass up if he is. Scouts like Brooks because he lives for the big moment, hitting shots when his team most needs them. Often times, those players make it in the NBA. The Ducks play Iona on Friday at 2:00 ET.
Devin Robinson, Florida, 6’8, 22, 11 ppg, 6 rpg
DraftExpress Projection: 41st
An explosive, athletic wing with an unknown ceiling. The NBA draft has gotten so deep that players like Robinson find themselves this low because teams are afraid to take a chance on past injuries like last year’s stress fracture in his foot. Robinson is a springy, versatile difference maker on the defensive end and has been healthy this year and far more consistent on the offensive end, shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc, which is clearly the part of his game that causes radio silence when scouts talk about him. Call from rival scout: “Robinson from Florida? Never heard of him.” Calls owner: “We might have to take Robinson in the first.” The Gators go up against East Tennessee State on Thursday at 3:10.
Jordan Bell, Oregon, 6’9, 22, 11 ppg, 8 rpg
DraftExpress Projection: 45th
Look at that a two for one deal! While you keep an eye on Brooks take a gander at his teammate on the block. Bell is the epitome of the modern day rim protector. NBA teams no longer want the seven footer who has a contract stipulation that it is understood that the undersigned will not, I repeat WILL NOT guard anybody other than centers.
Bell has the toughness and physicality to deal with any low block presence, and the mobility to switch out on wings. He has a lot of work to do offensively, but anytime “fundamentally flawed” enters a scouting report, you know there is much room for improvement in the NBA. He might never be a face up big man in his career, and perhaps that is enough to scare the Celtics away, but his athleticism and improvement over the years at Oregon is promising enough to take a chance on.
Cameron Oliver, Nevada, 6’8, 20, 16 ppg, 9 rpg
DraftExPress Projection: 46th
Do yourself a favor and experience the epic battle between Oliver and Burton of Iowa State. Oliver is a powerful leaper with a gritty, competitive urge to win. He has vastly improved his three point shot to 38 percent and while his form looks a little awkward, (watch him bring the ball down to get into rhythm, which is apparently one of the seven deadly basketball sins as decided by NBA scouts) he clearly has the confidence to turn it into a strength at the next level. The Wolfpack and Cyclones go at it Thursday at 9:57.
V.J. Beachem, Notre Dame, 6’8, 15 ppg, 4 rpg
DraftExpress Projection: 55th
Another intriguing Jerebko replacement down the line. Beachem is a little bit taller than Brooks, and wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize if the Celtics miss out on the Ducks wing. Beachem is a lanky capable athlete with terms like smooth and fluid littered all over his scouting report. He has a great outside stroke and has been a good scorer for the Irish this year.
Word on the street according to DraftExpress.com is that scouts want to see more from Beachem during the tourney as he has a tendency to disappear during the course of a game. It is this lack of in-your-face that has Beachem flying under the radar, but he clearly has the smarts and talent to end up becoming a very useful bench player. The Irish go up against Princeton Thursday at 12:15.
Luke Kornet, Vanderbilt, 7’0, 21, 13 ppg, 6 rpg
DraftExpress Projection: 57th
DraftExpress actually predicts the Celtics to draft Kornet with the 57th pick. While I imagine the Celtics might throw away one of these picks with a draft-and-stash, Kornet is certainly an interesting stretch five candidate. His three point shooting percentage has idled at 32 percent this year, but scouts think he has improved on other aspects of his game like his defense, rebounding, and athleticism so that the shot might be the last step, and he has already shown great form and ability to knock them down. This feels like a project the Celtics might not be willing to spend enough time on, but he really fits in to Brad Steven’s system. Who knows. Vandy plays Northwestern Thursday at 4:30.
Next: Five Games to Watch in NCAA Tourney
Tip-in: Mike Daum, South Dakota State, 6’9, 21, 26 ppg 8 rpg
Ok so he is not expected to enter the draft, and yes I just wanted you to keep an eye out on the Dauminator against Gonzaga in the first round. They play Thursday at 2:00. Tune in.