Barring any unforeseen trades, next month’s NBA Draft will be the first opportunity for the Boston Celtics to add talent to their roster. Boston currently holds picks 27 and 40 in the two-night event.
They should be crossing their fingers that North Carolina forward/center Henri Veesaar falls into their range. As of now, he’s projected to be picked in the early to mid 20s, but things could change in the coming weeks. Boston could always trade up a few spots if they’re keen on the big man.
The 22-year-old was named to the All-ACC Second Team after an impressive senior season for the Tar Heels.
Veesar averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.8% from the field and 42.6% from beyond the arc, across 31 starts for UNC.
What does Henri Veesaar offer to the Celtics?
The Celtics are going to need to add to their frontcourt this summer, regardless if it's through the draft or free agency, because of Nikola Vucevic’s almost-certain exit. Veesaar would be an immediate rotation option for Boston if they were to hypothetically draft him.
His polished offensive game should instantly make him an effective low-usage option. The seven-footer possesses the necessary athleticism to quickly bound to the rim for dunks in tight spots. That quick burst is an encouraging trait as he transitions to playing against some of the world’s best athletes.
Whether he’s catching the ball while rolling out of a screen or putting back an offensive rebound, Veesaar can finish.
He converted 75.3% of his 9.6 attempts per game at the rim, per Draftballr, which puts him in the 91st percentile amongst forwards.
The Estonian also operated well out of the low post this season, not that that is a skill that he’d get to use frequently with the Cs. They simply have too much talent to be running post-ups for a rookie. Maybe someday, though.
He wasn’t asked to do a ton of playmaking at Chapel Hill, but Veesaar managed to find his teammates well on cuts and did well in dribble-handoffs. Boston likes to put Neemias Queta in handoff actions often, so that could be an area for Veesaar to thrive in.
Oh, and he can space the floor. His volume wasn’t quite high enough to instill supreme confidence in a three-point shot, but Veesaar’s 42.6% clip on three attempts per game is still impressive. If he continues to improve there, he could become a multi-level offensive threat for the Celtics (or whichever team drafts him). For what it’s worth, his form looks smooth despite a rough 66.7% clip from the free-throw line.
Veesaar’s presence on the glass can’t be ignored, either. At 8.7 boards per game, he did his job securing UNC possessions. His 21.9% defensive rebounding percentage puts him in the 84th percentile amongst forwards. The senior didn’t shy away from the offensive glass either, with 2.2 rebounds on that end per game.
Henri Veesaar isn't a perfect prospect, and that's okay
He showed an ability to block shots both as the on-ball and help defender. Though, at times, he’s too quick to leave his feet and lacks discipline. Establishing a sense of control there will be a point for growth as he enters the league. We’ve seen others like Queta and Robert Williams III have to learn to stay down on fakes before they became impactful players.
North Carolina played Veesaar in drop coverage a lot this season. He’s not quite ready to switch onto NBA guards on the perimeter.
At just 227 pounds, Veesaar will have to add muscle before he’s ready to match up with the league’s stronger big men. It’s easy to imagine him conceding points in the post, even with his ability to swat away shots. Increased strength will be necessary to improve his screen-setting ability, too.
Nonetheless, Veesaar would be a great addition for the Celtics if they can land him at the draft. Even with his lack of strength, discipline, and footspeed, he appears to be ready to make an immediate impact -- especially in a frontcourt that could use some reinforcements.Â
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