NBA Draft: 2 players the Boston Celtics could — and should — have drafted in 2016

Caris LeVert, SG/ SF

Heading into the year’s NBA Draft, many teams were weary of Caris LeVert. Undergoing two surgeries on his left foot in the span of 22 months — 24 by the time of the draft — the wing’s stock plummeted tremendously.

However, looking at their eventual pick of Guerschon Yabusele it’s evident that the Boston Celtics were willing to take chances at 16, and when LeVert did step onto the hardwood during his collegiate career, he easily looked like a lottery player.

By the time his senior season rolled around with the Michigan Wolverines the wing saw himself serving as his team’s top-dog. In 31 minutes per game LeVert was averaging career highs of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists on 51 percent shooting from the floor and 45 percent shooting from three.

His size (6-7, 200 pounds) coupled with his impressive skill set was very intriguing coming into the draft, as he looked capable of playing both the two and three guard at the professional level.

And now four years in, he’s proven to do exactly that.

Serving as one of the Brooklyn Nets’ primary players, LeVert is finding himself averaging 17.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from deep.

He has managed to improve his game every year since coming into the league, and even netted himself a 3-year, $52 million deal this past offseason, proving the Nets believe they nabbed a player worth keeping long term with the 20th pick from 2016.

The C’s with their selection four slots earlier? Not nearly as happy with the outcome — they waived Yabusele two months prior to when LeVert received his extension.

At the time of the draft, the 21 year old was viewed as a high risk and an even higher reward prospect. Now, at 24, he’s proven to have put his left foot injury behind him, leaving Brooklyn with all the rewards Boston could have received had they selected him with this pick.