Boston Celtics: 3 areas the Cs must address in 2020 NBA Draft

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Boston Celtics (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Area the Boston Celtics must address in NBA Draft No. 1) Bench scoring

2019-20 certainly was not the year of the second unit for the Boston Celtics. While the team was recognized as having one of the best rosters throughout the regular season and beyond, this was largely due to their top-heavy level of talent.

Outside of their core-five of Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Gordon Hayward, the rotation seemed to fall off hard, especially when discussing their offensive production off the pine.

By season’s end, this unit rang in as one of the absolute worst in the entire association. Ranking 29th in points per game (28.5), 28th in 3-point percentage (31.8), and 20th in offensive rating (53.6), it’s evident that work needs to be done to improve this specific group moving forward.

Boston’s second unit woes flowed right along into the postseason, where they ranked 14th in points per game (18.2) and dead last in offensive rating (39.6).

The Celtics could certainly take a page out of Miami’s book, as the Heat possessed one of the best second unit scoring groups in the entire league this season. A big reason for this is due to President of Basketball Operations Pat Riely’s keen eye for adding young talents to the roster over the past several years.

Tyler Herro (20) and Duncan Robinson (25) are both prime examples of young players who have graced Miami’s bench — though Robinson eventually worked his way up to being in the starting rotation — and, in turn, have had a hand in making them one of the most formidable offensive bunches in the game.

The Boston Celtics don’t have anyone close to a Herro.

With this in mind, it is imperative that Danny Ainge target successful offensive-minded individuals with at least one of their first-rounders in this upcoming draft. Though it may be deemed as a relatively “weak” class, there are ballers such as Aaron Nesmith and Markus Howard who could be prime targets for the shamrocks at specific points in the draft.