According to HoopsHype's NBA Draft workout database, the Boston Celtics recently hosted West Virginia point guard Javon Small for a pre-draft evaluation. In most mock drafts, Small projects as a mid-to-late second-round pick, meaning he should be available when the Celtics are on the clock with picks 28 and 32. There's also a possibility that they'd trade back to select him. Regardless, they've taken a closer look at the 22-year-old.
Small appeared in 32 games for the Mountaineers this season and was the team's leading scorer. He averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc.
Does Javon Small make sense for the Celtics?
Absolutely.
There's a good chance that Boston's guard rotation will look different heading into next season, as they'll be looking to cut costs this summer and avoid being a second-apron team for the third straight year.
Jrue Holiday's name is a staple in trade rumors at the moment. Shedding the $104 million that the veteran guard is set to earn over the next three seasons would give the Celtics so much-needed cap relief.
With Holiday potentially on the outs, adding another guard in the draft would be a smart play for Boston. Small's well-rounded game opens a path for him to earn rotation minutes with the Celtics at some point, should they decide to bring him in.
The 22-year-old showcased his versatility in his senior season with West Virginia. He ran the show as his team's primary ball-handler and thrived in the pick-and-roll. Small was in the 84th percentile for pick-and-roll ball handlers, with the Mountaineers averaging a point per possession while he was in that role. The Indiana native was comfortable throwing alley-oops as well as crisp bounce passes to set his teammates up for success.
When he's not setting the table for his teammates, Small is well-equipped to score. He was a strong finisher at the rim, converting on 62% of his attempts inside the restricted area. At six-foot-two, Small is crafty in the paint and has the athleticism to hang in the air for some tough layups. Earlier this month, he logged a 40-inch vertical at the NBA Draft Combine.
"Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature," wrote Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor in his latest mock draft. "He’s a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside."
The shooting is, in fact, impressive. According to the College Basketball Scouting YouTube channel, Small logged an impressive 55% effective field goal percentage on catch-and-shoot attempts as a senior. He also shot 88.5% from the free-throw line, which is always an encouraging stat when trying to project a player's potential as a three-point marksman.
That potential bodes well for Small's fit with the Celtics. Everyone knows that Boston loves to create as many clean attempts from long-range as possible. In order for that offensive gameplan to work, the roster has to consist of consistent shooters surrounding the team's stars. Small serving as a threat both off of the catch and on the drive gives him the foundation of a strong role player in the NBA.
Not to mention that he's a hound on defense, despite being under-sized. Tankathon's player profile for Small outlines both defensive win shares and defensive box plus/minus as strengths for the young guard.
For a more in-depth look at potential Celtics prospects, check out the "How 'Bout Them Celtics" draft preview, where Jack Simone and I run through plenty of names with No Ceilings' Tyler Rucker.