The Boston Celtics might just have their eyes on an especially stellar defender as their primary target of the 2020 NBA draft, according to Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney.
Along with shooting and backup point guard needs, wing depth is among the Celtics’ greatest needs — and if rumors of veteran forward Gordon Hayward potentially wanting out of Boston end up materializing, it could surge to the most urgent need the team has.
So with that in mind, Deveney’s sources suggestion that the Celtics may be looking to Auburn wing Isaac Okoro to fill it.
The @celtics have long had eyes for Isaac Okoro, league sources told me. If they do move up in next week's draft, he's the likely target. @Suns also said to like Tyrell Terry. Is No. 10 a stretch?
More from the @HeavySan mock draft:https://t.co/yH1bJt7UVo
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) November 13, 2020
At first glance, it might be easy to dismiss as potential “silly season” rumors designed to throw opposing GMs off the scent of the actual plan.
But, depending on how things pan out elsewhere with Boston, it very well may be one of several lead options for the Celtics to trade up after.
To date however, the Auburn product shared on Wednesday that he has not yet met with Boston.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the team has no plans to work out with him with most of a week still left ahead of the November 18th draft though, pending the outcome of other moving parts.
Isaac Okoro has not interviewed with the Celtics. Sounds like his cut off has been roughly teams 1-11.
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) November 11, 2020
With only 10 total in-person workouts per club allowed, Boston may be saving a few of them to use on prospects closer to draft day, when they’ve had more time to work though what players like Hayward and Enes Kanter may be planning with regards to free agency.
Okoro’s lack of shooting prowess is unlikely to excite fans still smarting from the bench’s inability to score in the postseason, but he is able to guard effectively 1-4 with decent handles and passing who finishes well.
He’s also very young at 19 years old, and while his shot needs a massive overhaul without encouraging signs from the free throw line (he shot 67.4% from the stripe in his sole NCAA season), he could still develop that aspect of his game.
[jwplayer zlJfhRxW]
[lawrence-related id=43239,43229,43223,43220]
[listicle id=43174]