Boston Celtics 2022 NBA Draft: 3 projected second-rounders Cs can trade Aaron Nesmith for

Jaylin Williams, Arkansas

Unequivocally, without question or hesitation, the Boston Celtics must pursue adding Jaylin Williams if he falls into the late-forties picks of the 2022 NBA Draft. That kind of gamble on a talent that could be locked up for years to come on a sub-vet’s minimum salary is one a defending Eastern Conference champion needs to make.

Williams was the big around which the Razorback guards were able to do damage from the perimeter. JD Notae was a volume-shooter who benefitted from Williams’ offensive rebounding preventing the Hogs from being a top team in the SEC. Notae has gotten workouts with the Toronto Raptors, essentially being boosted to undrafted free agent level pro by Williams.

The Cs would do well to add a big man in the second round of the NBA Draft just in case they do decide to pursue a Daniel Theis trade. Unlike Trevion Williams, Jaylin Williams is not guaranteed to be there at the No. 53 pick. In fact, it’d be a dramatic free-fall if Jaylin Williams was available at pick 50.

Boston would need to possibly forfeit Nesmith and their No. 53 pick in order to grab the six-foot-ten big man. That’d arguably be worth it despite long-distance struggles from the prospective pro pivot.

The Pistons at pick No. 46 is the most realistic shot at landing Williams, and Detroit is definitely in a position to add another recent lottery pick in an attempt to cobble together a cohesive young core around Cade Cunningham.