Boston Celtics Draft for the Long Term

The Boston Celtics failed to get a big trade done but made a lot of progress towards the long term future of their front court.

There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Boston Celtics heading into the NBA draft but they finished with one trade that landed them a future first. If holding on to the number three pick was not enough to disappoint Celtics fans with a win now mentality, selecting two players who may not even come over from Europe this season, along with a 19 year old at number three, certainly pushed them over the edge.

As people continue to be puzzled by Danny Ainge’s draft process, one thing remains absolutely certain: they will continue to build for the future. The Celtics went for young players that need a lot of development. The unfortunate reality is that the Celtics may not have a single impact rookie next season. However, that does not mean that this draft was a failure.

One of the youngest teams got even younger in the draft. The three first round draft picks are 20, 19 and 19 years old. The Celtics did not make these moves during this draft with the intention of making their team immediately better. There were more NBA ready prospects for them to go after but long term potential was the priority for the Celtics.

Right now, the most Jaylen Brown, Ante Zizic or Guerschon Yabusele can expect to do this season is have a limited role off the bench. That being said, the Celtics have no problem allowing their rookies to develop. Rozier only took over a significant role because of injuries last season with Hunter and Mickey barely ever escaping the bench.

Danny Ainge has never drafted for what the player is today, he has continually drafted players that have a lot of potential as a two way player. Unfortunately, much of that potential is based on making significant development.

Celtics fans expected to see their incredible 8 picks amount to something that could immediately help them contend. They wanted a trade and they wanted players that are not expected to spend more time overseas before stepping foot in the NBA. That being said, nothing can be taken away form the young core of guards that Ainge has built, and their front court finally took a step in the right direction on draft night.

Free agency is where the Celtics will look to get the immediate satisfaction that fans were looking for in the draft. Looking for immediate help in the draft means having to give up what could be important assets. Getting that help in free agency means they do not have to give up any long term value. Short term help only means sacrificing in the long term in the draft. The Celtics kept the draft to secure their long term future, while holding out that free agency will give them the talent they need right now.

The biggest problem with the Celtics’ draft is it feels as though they reached for both of their first two picks, even though all signs pointed to Brown being their guy at number three all along. Jaylen Brown is another suspect shooter but he has the potential to be a two way impact player. At just 19 years old, it is impossible to expect Brown to approach that potential in his rookie season and that is extending the process for the Celtics who certainly could have taken a more polished player at number three.

Yabusele was the pick that had most people upset, but we continually heard how deep the bottom of this draft was, and how interchangeable the middle of the first round was. Clearly, the Celtics believe in Yabusele and even though it may be frustrating to have to wait for him to have an impact, his potential as a versatile forward is exactly what the Celtics need. Athletic versatility is clearly a priority for bigs with the Celtics, and they now have solid long term potential with Mickey, Zizic and Yabusele.

Their age makes it impossible to make any confident claim about any of the three first round draft picks for the Celtics, but they have finally given themselves the long term potential their front court needs. This is just the beginning of a long process but the Celtics remained patient in the draft and it could make all the difference in reestablishing the core of a front court that needs to be transformed.

Not including Demetrius Jackson, the Celtics have 5 guards who are all 25 years or younger and all  of them remain long term options. The Celtics may not be expected to have them all but Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Terry Rozier and R.J Hunter has given them dynamic options and depth, and they all have the potential to develop into key players on a contending team.

The Celtics have yet to see a guard take the step they are looking for in becoming a superstar player (Isaiah Thomas getting the closest), but one superstar player is not going to be enough to become a true championship contender.

Before this draft, the Celtics’ young long term front court options consisted of just Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Mickey. Now, they are adding two players that can play the 4 or 5 and another player that can play the 3 or 4.

The frustrating part is none of what the Celtics currently have amount to the kind of talent that is needed to be a contender. People were expecting this to be the offseason that the Celtics make the leap talent wise that would make them a top team in the league. Fortunately, a decent job in free agency could still make them the most improved team this offseason.

When both Ainge and Stevens were given contract extensions, it became clear that nothing was going to be rushed for immediate success in Boston. The Celtics continue to take the slower route that depends on the development of young prospects that may never pan out.

Next: Report Card: Boston Celtics Draft

Now, the Celtics are giving themselves the options they need to build from within. It is a lot faster to get high end talent through trades and free agency, but the draft has given the Celtics the options and potential they need build from within.