Category: .NBA draft

Should the Boston Celtics take Creighton forward Baylor Scheierman in the 2024 NBA draft?

Does the 3-point specialist make sense for Boston?

The Boston Celtics have to wait until the end of the 2024 NBA draft to make their No. 30 overall selection, given the team finished the 2023-24 season with the league’s best record on their way to the 2024 NBA Championship. 

And while you won’t find many crying for Boston’s draft position given they just won it all, the Celtics do have a selection to make. A popular name on many a mock draft for Boston’s first round pick is Creighton forward Baylor Scheierman, a lethal shot from beyond the arc who can rebound well for his position. The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, recently sat down to debate the wisdom of taking Scheierman.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Who should the Boston Celtics pick in the 2024 NBA draft?

Draft will be here soon.

Most fans of the Boston Celtics have been so busy soaking in the glory of their favorite team beating the Dallas Mavericks to win the 2024 NBA Championship (and enjoying the duck boat title parade in the city of Boston after it) that they have hardly given a thought to what the Celtics ought to do in the 2024 NBA draft.

And that draft will be here soon, coming in this Wednesday (June 26) and continuing another day beyond for the full second round. Who will Boston take with their selections at No. 30 and No. 54 overall? The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, sat down with guest Tyler Rucker of the “No Ceilings” podcast to talk it over.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

New analysis sees Boston Celtics taking NBL big man in 2024 NBA draft

Can Boston find win-now help this late in the draft?

In a new analysis put together by the folks over at our sister site HoopsHype, the full slate of picks from both rounds of the 2024 NBA draft have been projected. The H/H staff put together a method which, as noted by H/H league analyst Alberto De Roa, uses the Draft Predictor, “a new tool that factors in our Aggregated Mock Draft and our workout tracker to generate the probability of every player landing at each draft slot.”

And when we look at what the method came up with for the Boston Celtics’ No. 30 overall pick, the prospect with the highest probability to be selected by the Celtics is Cairns Taipans (of the NBL) power forward Bobi Klintman with 16.1% odds.

Other likely draft prospects for Boston include Indiana center Kel’el Ware (15.6% odds), Pittsburgh point guard Carlton Carrington (15.0% odds), Miami small forward KyShawn George (13.7% odds), and Marquette floor general Tyler Kolek (9.8% odds), who might be our favorite on this list.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Celtics land international prospect in latest mock draft

The Boston Celtics would add the 19-year-old guard according to ESPN’s latest mock draft.

The Boston Celtics will own the 30th pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft this summer. Brad Stevens has consistently used his draft picks as trade chips since moving into his role within the front office. However, the Celtics roster is continually becoming more and more expensive. As such, now might be the time for Stevens to begin cashing in on some cost-controlled depth.

In the latest mock draft by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, the Celtics are projected to select Juan Nunez. The 19-year-old guard has spent this season in Germany playing for Ratiopharm Ulm.

“Boston has an opportunity to affordably shore up its depth with this pick, presumably in search of a player who can help with its current run atop the East,” Woo wrote. “The 19-year-old Nunez has excellent playmaking acumen and has put together a strong season in Germany, giving him a pathway to becoming a viable NBA contributor if he can make shots and defend at a high enough level.”

Nunez has played in 31 games for Ratiopharm Ulm this season. He’s averaged 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 45.7% shooting from the field and 28.6% from 3-point range. At 6-foot-3 he also has good height for the position.

Stevens could opt to draft and stash Nunez for a few years if he feels like the young guard’s development would be better served overseas.

However, if the Celtics need reliable backup ball handling, Nunez could be heading for Boston on draft night. 

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387045]

Mock draft sees Celtics take Washington State forward in second round

The Boston Celtics could selected the Washington State forward in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Boston Celtics will have the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, courtesy of the Dallas Mavericks. Brad Stevens may opt to use the pick to add some much-needed cost-controlled talent to a roster that continues to become more and more expensive.

According to a mock draft from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, the Celtics could select Jaylen Wells out of Washington State with their second-round pick. The 20-year-old can play the shooting guard and small forward position, giving Joe Mazzulla additional flexibility on the wing.

Wells has played in 34 games for the Cougars this season. He’s averaged 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. At 6-foot-8, his size and 3-point shot will bode well for defending at the NBA level, assuming they can translate to NBA range and the pace of the game.

Boston has significant depth at the forward positions. Wells would likely be signed to a two-way deal and spend the coming years with the Maine Celtics.

Nevertheless, Stevens has developed a clear developmental strategy with his two-way players, meaning Wells could force his way onto the main roster if he shows he’s capable of making an impact at the NBA level.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648386309]

Celtics land 22-year-old stretch-four in latest mock draft

The Boston Celtics could select the Illinois product with the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Boston Celtics will have the 54th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Given their incredible talent and depth, whoever they select in the second round will likely spend the upcoming season with the Maine Celtics on a two-way deal. Still, the Celtics have developed a clear pipeline between their G-League affiliate and their first team.

This season’s roster boasts three Maine Celtics graduates. Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta began their Celtics careers on two-way contracts. According to Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft for Bleacher Report, Coleman Hawkins could be the next addition to the Maine Celtics, where he will look to emulate some of the aforementioned talents.

“Coleman Hawkins was having a strong NCAA tournament until Illinois ran into Connecticut,” Wasserman wrote. “While scouts have their reservations, he has their attention with a shoot-dribble-pass skill set that creates a valuable stretch-playmaking 4 archetype.”

Hawkins has played 35 games for Illinois this season. He’s averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field and 36.9% from 3-point range. As with any contending team, carving a path to the primary roster would be incredibly difficult. However, Boston has shown a willingness to reward players who operate professionally and consistently improve their games.

Of course, Stevens could decide to flip the pick on draft night. He’s shown a willingness to kick the draft can down the road in recent years, and given the Celtics’ current roster depth, that may be the smartest decision and one that would be fair to whoever they would potentially select.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8Mbv

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387045]

Celtics take intriguing Big East big man in new 2024 NBA mock draft

His passing and defense have been compared to Al Horford, and he can catch and flush lobs when vertical spacing is needed to change up the offensive attack.

The Boston Celtics’ first round draft pick for the coming 2024 NBA draft may be the last in that round, thanks to the Celtics having locked up the best regular season record in the league for their 2023-24 campaign. But that doesn’t mean they are not scouring the prospects who have declared for this summer’s draft, and the folks at the Ringer have done the same.

For the Celtics in the first round, they like Marquette big man Oso Ighodaro. A 21-year-old combo big who stands 6-foot-11 and has the lateral mobility to guard the perimeter and switch when called on, Ighodaro has no jumper to speak of. 

And while that might be a problem for a player more suited to play the four at the NBA level, a team with shooting centers like Boston could find a way to make the high-IQ forward fit.

His passing and defense have been compared to Al Horford, and he can catch and flush lobs when vertical spacing is needed to change up the offensive attack.

While we might prefer a big with a trey like DaRon Holmes in this draft, Horford was also once a non-shooter, so we wouldn’t be opposed to rolling the dice with Ighodaro.

 Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Celtics take a Florida floor general in new 2024 mock draft

The Gator alum could stand to work on his finishing and 3-point shot, but any prospect taken this late in the draft tends to be a bit of a project anyway.

The Boston Celtics front office likely already has a full range of prospective targets in mind for the 2024 NBA draft. And the folks over at the Ringer have put together a mock draft trying to divine what the Celtics will do with their picks for this year’s big event.

For the Celtics’ own second-rounder, currently projected to come in at No. 53 overall, and the Ringer has Boston using it on University of Florida floor general Zyon Pullin. A 6-foot-4, 23-year-old point guard with a 6-foot-6 wingspan who evokes shades of Andrew Nembhard and Tyus Jones, Pullin is described as a “game-managing point guard who runs a tight ship while providing versatile defense.”  

The Gator alum could stand to work on his finishing and 3-point shot, but any prospect taken this late in the draft tends to be a bit of a project anyway, and Pullin’s upside is worth the gamble in our estimation.


Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Who are some NCAA prospects that Celtics fans should keep an eye on in the tourney?

The Celtics are going to need older players able to help fill in some deep rotation minutes, ideally with some upside to grow into a larger role.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is not far off, and with it come a perk in interest among fans of the Boston Celtics in college basketball as they try to scout potential draft steals for their favorite team. Who are some NCAA prospects that Celtics fans should keep an eye on in the tourney?

The Celtics are going to need older players able to help fill in some deep rotation minutes, ideally with some upside to grow into a larger role. That should help narrow the field given Boston has three selections falling late in both rounds to work with this summer.

To try to tease out some prospects that make sense for the Celtics, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast linked up with Tyler Rucker of No Ceilings to break down a Boston Celtics fan’s guide to the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

They talk about Celtics draft targets, tournament breakout candidates, and Tyler’s favorite prospects. Plus, they talk about the Celtics’ playoff path, Luke Kornet vs. Xavier Tillman, and Boston clinching the playoffs

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Boston takes two forwards and a big man in new Athletic NBA mock draft

Is it too early for you to be thinking about the 2024 NBA draft with the 2024 NBA Playoffs still nearly two months away?

Is it too early for you to be thinking about the 2024 NBA draft with the 2024 NBA Playoffs still nearly two months away? For the best draft experts in the business, it is never too early to get started, and that is exactly what The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has done in his most recent 2024 mock draft.

In the coming draft, the Boston Celtics will have a first round pick and two late second round picks to work with, which could net them a useful player or two with some luck for the deep rotation and future development. But they will have to nail the picks given all will be close to the end of their respective rounds, and in the Brad Stevens era, they seem to be doing well in that.

Let’s take a look at who Vecenie thinks the Celtics ought to target in the big event this summer.