Boston Celtics Big Board: 3 players Cs will target at each position in 2020 NBA Draft
Who should the Boston Celtics have their eyes on later this month when the NBA Draft takes place? The Houdini gives 3 targets for each position.
Come one, come all, and join the Houdini as we take a look at 3 targets Danny Ainge should monitor at each position for the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft…
Point Guard
We begin with the floor general position. With Kemba Walker seemingly entrenched in the starting point guard slot, finding his primary backup could be a goal for the Cs front office. Brad Wanamaker is a free agent, and the 2019 second-round rookie pair of Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters doesn’t look primed to take on the mantle anytime soon. This trio may be able to…
Kira Lewis Jr.
My coeditor Mark Nilon recently opined on a Kira Lewis Jr. addition:
"The most realistic potential point guard grab for the Boston Celtics in this upcoming draft is Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr, who has been a prospect the Houdini has discussed on a number of occasions in the past. Referred to by ourselves as a “Ja Morant-lite” kind of talent, the Crimson Tide standout is a player that could be one of the biggest steals from this top-heavy 2020 draft class. During his sophomore season in 2019-20, the point guard put up impressive averages of 18.5 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep. Proving to be quite a reliable catch and shoot player — something the Boston Celtics offense thrives on — and one who can finish at the rim with a breakaway slam or an acrobatic-layup in traffic, Lewis Jr.’s skillset is one that could very easily be seen as beneficial to add to a shamrocks squad in need of improved offensive production off the pine."
Lewis Jr. would be an exciting step for the Cs. Adding that level of athleticism and finishing ability could keep the offense buzzing when Walker sits, and who knows? Maybe the two could have chemistry as an undersized backcourt that kills defenses off the dribble.
Killian Hayes
Killian Hayes inspires a difference in opinions from different scouts. Apparently where he’ll go in the draft is highly up for debate. The Chicago Bulls, a team the Cs could trade up with on draft night, may not be sold on him with such a high pick:
"“There’s going to be variations of opinion,” the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations said in August. “Some teams are going to look at that player at (No.) 4. Some teams are going to look at him at 18.”"
While his athleticism may not wow, his intangibles might:
"Scoring-wise, Hayes leans more on floaters than jumpers and isn’t yet a strong catch-and-shoot guard. But he possesses tremendous court vision and, per a Malcolm Brogdon comp that one scout used, makes teammates better."
Having a Brogdon-type player on a rookie-deal would be next-level thinking by Ainge and co. They may not need to trade up too high to get him. If he slips enough, perhaps he could be had at #8–assuming Boston can successfully engage the New York Knicks in a swap–or even at #14, where the Celtics are projected to pick.
R.J. Hampton
R.J. Hampton has a leg up on other prospects because of his professional experience playing for the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers:
"“I think it was the professionalism I gained,” Hampton said when asked about the benefits. “You have to learn how to be a pro on and off the court. There are different tips and tricks that a 20-year-old doesn’t know, but a 30-year-old knows. I feel like I’m prepared for anything that’s thrown at me now. I’ve been in a locker room with guys who have families, kids, wives – these guys aren’t just playing because they want to go to the NBA, they’re playing because they have to live day-to-day and provide for their families. It’s a different type of competitiveness. Just going over there and playing against that, that’s something you can’t teach at the college level.”"
Hearing Hampton sound so wise for his age is an encouraging thought…especially since the Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has Hampton projected to go #14 to the Boston Celtics in his latest mock draft.