Carpe diem, the Latin expression that roughly translates to “seize the day,” should be the mantra for Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh’s third NBA season.
The actual definition includes a tidbit about not worrying about "tomorrow," but this season will certainly impact Walsh's future.
Years one and two haven’t been fruitful in terms of opportunity for the 21-year-old wing, but with Boston’s roster much weaker than it was in each of those seasons, opportunity is now staring him right in the face.
“This is sort of a make-or-break year for him. The minutes will be there if he takes them. This summer was a good start,” a Celtics coach told Spotrac’s Keith Smith during this month’s Las Vegas Summer League.
A good start, it was, for Walsh. In Vegas, he was consistently Boston’s best player, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and a steal per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 38.9% from deep in four appearances for the summer Cs.
The sheer difference in this year’s showing vs. that of last July was unbelievable. Walsh was probably the most anticipated member of the 2024 summer league roster, and he never quite got comfortable. Last year, he looked out of sorts and was oftentimes trying to do a bit too much. His overall performance was so bad that many wrote him off. Now, Walsh feels like the favorite of Boston’s returning young players to earn a rotation spot next season.
How can Jordan Walsh make the most of any additional opportunity?
The former Arkansas standout is primed to be the first or second wing off the Celtics’ bench, depending on whether or not Sam Hauser starts, and if they want to prioritize Walsh over a veteran like Georges Niang. Regardless, there should be ample playing time for him to prove that he belongs on the roster going forward.
His best avenue to doing so is by knocking down the three-ball consistently, something he’s struggled to do thus far. Though his opportunities were few and far between, Walsh has only drilled 26.6% of his attempts from beyond the arc to this point. Shooting is most definitely easier when you’re playing more than eight minutes per game. It’s easier to find a rhythm and not worry about making the one look you’ll get all night.
As the anonymous coach told Smith, the minutes should be there if Walsh proves to be ready for them. Hopefully, with added playing time comes added efficiency for the 2023 second-round pick.
Walsh will have to do more than just shoot to separate himself from the team’s other young players. Going into the draft, his calling card was always defense. His seven-foot-three-inch wingspan made him an intriguing prospect with great defensive potential. Up to this point, Walsh’s size has held him back. He just doesn’t have the bulk needed to hang with some of the stronger forwards in the league.
The Texan did, however, look like he’d added a few pounds leading up to Summer League. Maybe that’s a sign of more to come ahead of training camp.
If Walsh is really going to see more minutes this season, the goal should be simple: be as impactful as possible on both ends. If he fails to capitalize, his time in Boston will likely be over.