Boston Celtics: Who will be next All-Star Danny Ainge draft pick?

There is no doubt that Danny Ainge got the pick right in both 2016 and 2017 when it comes to his first-round selections. Well, at least his Boston Celtics lottery picks. Sorry, Guerschon Yabusele.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both developed into All-Stars over the years but became winners very quickly in Beantown. Brown’s first two seasons saw trips to the Eastern Conference finals, while Jayson Tatum’s rookie-year postseason run was among the greatest in modern history.

Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul Pierce were among LeBron James’ only postseason equals up until that point. Tatum crashed the party and forever set the bar sky-high for himself.

Brown took a bit longer to fulfill that star potential, but it finally happened here in this weird pandemic year, despite the absences and ailments he has dealt with.

The successful ascension of the Jays has been a beautiful sight, but who will be the next Celtic to follow in their footsteps?

Let’s take a look at the different options:

Could Marcus Smart live up to Frank Vogel’s All-Star label?

Kudos to Los Angeles Lakers HC Frank Vogel for saying that a member of the Boston Celtics deserves more shine than he gets.

Kobe Bryant, one of the most prideful Lakers in the history of the franchise, bridged the gap back when he mentored Jayson Tatum before his untimely death last year. Tatum has most definitely learned a thing or two in the footwork department, but also carries a similar sense of confident swagger when sizing up a defender in isolation.

Marcus Smart does not have the tantalizing offensive skills Tatum does, but also lacks the athleticism Brown has that makes the game look so easy for the six-foot-seven Cal Golden Bears product. He shines on the defensive end and has been finding the open man at a far higher rate this season (5.8 per game) while keeping turnovers low (1.9).

Basically, Smart is on the right track, but he needs to up his counting stats–at least his points per game output, being that his current 13.3 PPG is a career-high–to fulfill Vogel’s vision.

Is Robert Williams the next great Boston Celtics big man?

Jayson Tatum called Robert Williams his favorite teammate to play with. It was a little controversial considering the game Jaylen Brown had that night, but it bodes well for the future of the “Time Lord.”

Williams has notable bounce coupled with great size and length, but his raw offensive skills kept him from being a first-round selection. He’s slowly been figuring it out in Boston–injuries have been the primary culprit confining his contributions to mere flashes–and he could be due for a jump next season if he can fully wrestle the starting center role away from Tristan Thompson.

If DeAndre Jordan can make an All-Star team, so can Williams. All it takes is the Cs being a top team and the Time Lord being a primary reason why for Williams to be a second round ascension to the All-Star team.

Brad Stevens (or whoever else in charge next year) just needs to feed the center more minutes to facilitate that.

Could Aaron Nesmith be the Ray Allen of the next Boston Celtics Big 3?

It’s not a perfect Boston Celtics Big 3 comparison, since Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both have more Paul Pierce in their games than any of them possess Kevin Garnett traits.

That said, Aaron Nesmith could be the perfect third-wheel complimentary All-Star to the Jays much like Allen was to the aforementioned Boston Celtics greats. Nesmith wasn’t very active in the team’s decimation of the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center last night, but was efficient in knocking down two of his three attempts, including a 3-pointer.

His shot has come to life late in the season, and his previous three outings produced 47 points. Given Kyle Korver made the All-Star team in 2015 (as an injury replacement, but an All-Star nonetheless) on 12 points per game, Nesmith could do it too.

Korver shot 49% during that 60-win Atlanta Hawks season. A lofty mark? Yes, but Nesmith did shoot 47% from deep in his sophomore season in the SEC with Vanderbilt. He has a hot hand, and it could lead him to big things in his Boston future.

Payton Pritchard is dark-horse of recent history

The Boston Celtics mined a ton of value from the 26th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by selecting Payton Pritchard. He has shattered expectations this season, making Jeff Teague expendable early on in a season where depth is critical.

He has shown more potential thus far than any of the 2019 draft picks and, until recently, seemed like the most starter-ready rookie of the 2020 picks. Nesmith has finally started to shine, though, and his size and skillset seems more likely to translate to stardom.

That said, Pritchard more than has the intangibles covered. He has shown a flair for the dramatic, with his game-winning tip-in against the Miami Heat earlier this year in their cotton candy “City” edition jerseys being his top NBA moment so far. He has also been a more consistent contributor this season.

All of that definitely makes the former Oregon Duck a dark horse All-Star candidate in the future if he can ever nab a lion’s share of the backcourt minutes.