Boston Celtics' No. 30 draft pick can bump late-season signee off roster

The Boston Celtics' No. 30 pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft could bump late-season signee Neemias Queta off the roster, speculates MassLive's Brian Robb during his latest Celtics Mailbag.

"I honestly feel confident that they will run it back with that crew and perhaps use the No. 30 pick to add another big man," Robb prefaced before saying, "Kornet and Tillman should be fairly cheap to retain, maybe costing a little bit more than the league minimum in Tillman’s case. Queta will have a chance to play for a roster spot during training camp (his deal is non-guaranteed for next year), but he could be bumped out by a draft pick. Ultimately, there’s no upgrade coming in this area on the free agent market unless there is a veteran that wants to ring chase."

The silver lining here is that Robb believes Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are near-locks to return; being potentially available for the veteran's minimum, or a little bit more, this offseason. A championship likely raises their earning potential and makes them bigger poach threats, but falling short of Banner 18 probably does keep them affordable.

Potential options for Boston Celtics at No. 30 pick in 2024 NBA draft

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman recently projected Dayton's DaRon Holmes II to the Celtics this June, while Purdue's Zach Edey has been a popular name thrown around at the No. 30 pick in the draft.

Edey's monster 20/12/4 line (with two blocks) against NC State in the Final Four may have raised his draft stock, so the Boilermakers big may not be available in the first round by the time Boston is set to close it out. Holmes also had a big showing in the Round of 64 against Arizona, going for 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block, so it's possible neither big is there by the time Brad Stevens is on the clock.

Considering the lack of first-round picks Stevens has had at his disposal since becoming President of Basketball Operations, this pick represents his first chance to nab a cost-controlled contributor capable of cracking the rotation.

Or a future trade chip. "Trader Brad" may be more prolific in the player movement department than "Trader Danny."