Boston Celtics: “Draft or Pass” on 3 recently suggested targets
By Mark Nilon
Boston Celtics draft target No. 2) Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan
With the inclusion of Michigan small forward, Franz Wagner, it appears we have a family connection between him and the Boston Celtics, for brother Moritz was acquired by the franchise at this year’s deadline from the Washington Wizards.
The 19-year-old is coming off of a sophomore season in which he posted solid per-game averages of 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, three assists, 1.3 steals, and a block per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor and 34 percent shooting from deep.
Though perhaps not the most athletic player at his position, the 6-9, 220-pound German-born baller managed to showcase enough overall versatility and a high-enough basketball IQ to have Buckley believe that a selection in the first round for the Celtics could prove to be a smart move:
"The 6’9″ swingman sees the game at an advanced level, which has major positives at both ends of the floor. Offensively, he’d be a sneaky-good secondary playmaker who can slip past sleepy defenders with timely cuts. It would help if his three-ball inspired more confidence (32.5 percent across two seasons at Michigan), but his free-throw stroke gives reason to hope for better results in the future (career 83.5 percent). Defensively, he has the mobility to survive switches and the instincts to make timely reads as an off-ball team defender."
The article would continue on to say that, logically, it makes sense for Boston to look into bringing on the Michigan wing, for the depth behind the team’s stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a bit lacking.
That said, while the idea of bolstering the wing slot does make a bit of sense, it’s certainly arguable that because of the fact that they already have these two stars in place the three other positions on the roster (point guard, power forward, center) are in greater need of being bolstered, for they don’t really have any stability from one specific player.
During the past two drafts, Boston has gone about and used a first-round pick on a wing in an effort to add depth to the position. Frankly, I’m curious to know how many more times we’re going to see Danny Ainge use his first-rounder on a player at this position.
Hopefully, the trend ends in 2021.