https://www.celticsblog.com/2022/6/7/23157955/projecting-the-celtics-pick-at-53wrote up a break down of the players I would be excited for at #53 who I also think may be available.
As futile as it is to predict the 2nd round in the NBA draft my draft obsessed mind keeps trying to project the Celtics lone 2022 Draft pick. While the odds of hitting on a player are low past drafts have yielded solid value this late. The following recent players have had some level of sustainable success in the NBA after falling outside the top 45 in their drafts.
2019 Isaiah Roby Talen Horton-Tucker Terance Mann Jalen McDaniels
2018 Hamidou Diallo De'Anthony Melton Shake Milton
2017 Dillon Brooks Monte Morris
2016 Georges Niang Abdel Nader
2015 Norman Powell
2014 Dwight Powell Jordan Clarkson
* I wanted to give the 2021 and 2020 class time before judging the 2nd round. I also arbitrary stopped at 2014
Projecting players who will be available in the late 2nd is also a very difficult task. Outside of the 20s this draft like most drafts has large tier groups that likely very greatly between teams. I took two mocks Tankathons and NBADRAFT.nets and overlayed their top 45 picks. If a player was in the top 45 of both mocks, I eliminated then from my pool of available players. I also excluded Jaylin Williams and Caleb Houston. Williams I’ll be shocked to see drop past #45 and Houston is rumored to have a promise. (My $ is on Toronto at #33). Its worth noting that 2nd round deals can very from guaranteed money for multiple seasons to 2-way deals. This seems to influence where some players are drafted based on pre-draft conversations over willingness to draft and stash or take a 2-way.
Draft philosophy does play a major role in the 2nd round and the last two drafts the Celtics have opted to go the draft and stash route with Madar and Begarin. This could again be the case with Khalifa Diop or Yannick Nzosa both being possible stash options who could develop into future rotational bigs for the Celtics. If they do go D&S the amount of open roster spots on the Celtics should make them a priority landing spot for post draft free agents looking to land a 2-way or full roster spot.
This is my list of non-stash players who I would be excited to see the Celtics land with the #53
Big
Michael Foster, he is an old school PF in the Julius Randle mold who was previously ranked as the 9th best prospect in his high school class by ESPN. He was productive in the G-League averaging just under 16pts 10rb 2blk in 30mpg. Like many players coming into the NBA offensively his swing skill will be his 3pt shot. Defensively he will never be elite given his physical profile, but I am also confident that he can defend the perimeter well enough to stay on the court in a playoff series.
John Butler, measuring 7'1 (in shoes) and only 174 lbs. is a major red flag, I typically am very low on prospects who are this physically underdeveloped, but Butler’s combination of skills and physical tools make him a worthwhile gamble in the 2nd round. He has elite lateral mobility for a 7', with a 9'4 standing reach he provides rim protection and shot 39% from 3. He looks very comfortable defensively and offensively on the perimeter. For the Celtics I can envision him playing Rob's role on defense where he defends a perimeter player but constantly drops into the paint to protect the rim and scrambles to close out on his man. Players with size who can do this on defense are rare even rarer are those that can shoot the 3.
Isiah Mobley, another highly ranked high school prospect (16th in the class of 2019) he is the smaller less athletic brother of Even Mobley, I would physically compare him to Looney as both entered the league at around 6'9.5" (in shoes) 240lbs. Mobley has a 7'3" wingspan compared to Looneys 7'4". What really stands out to me is his offensive skill set. I’m confident that he will be able to shoot and pass the ball at a high enough level to earn himself time on the court. I would expect him to be able to take most centers off the dribble and his ability to grab and go could be a major asset for a team that likes to push the pace.
Bryson Williams, older prospect (24 yrs.) and because of this he has a likely lower ceiling then the other bigs in my list. Has just enough size at 6'8.75"(in shoes) 237lbs and a 7'2.25" WS to play the 5 in the NBA. He looks like he moves well on D and reminds me a lot of AL the way he moves. Not a flashy prospect but one who has a good shot at carving out a bench role in the NBA. I suspect he goes undrafted but gets a 2-way quickly after the draft.
Makur Maker, Thon Maker's younger cousin like Foster and Mobley he is another highly ranked high school player (16th in the class of 2020) he played 2 games for Howard in the 20-21 season but injured was injured in the 2nd game of the season and then covid shut the team down after 9 games. Most draft sites do not mock him in the top 60 but I am convinced he needs to be given a shot in the NBA. He most recently played for the champions of the NBL and was relegated to a much more defined role on the team. Watching a few of his playoff games it really jumped out at me how well he can move on defense. At 6'11 (in shoes) 232lbs with a 7'1.25" WS he moves exceptionally well. Offensively he needs to be held in check, he looks erratic at times when trying to do too much but should be a capable grab and go threat in the NBA as well as a big with a reliable outside shot.
Swing
Jabari Walker, I suspect he goes higher than many mocks project. Reminds me a lot of Thad Young. A soph who will still be 19 at the time of the draft. He rebounds at a high level and projects as a solid 3pt shooter. Would be a steal in the late 2nd.
Darius Days, A tweener in the Draymond/Grant Williams mold Days should be able to defend multiple positions in the NBA with his mobility, strength and length. His measurements are almost identical to Draymond’s at 6'7 (in shoes) 239lbs with a 7'1"WS. Offensively he should have no issue transitioning to a 3-D role. He shot 35% on 6 attempts from 3 at LSU. I also like the intensity he brings to the game. The first LSU game I watch to check out Eason and Days clearly stood out.
Julian Champagnie, He has been talked about a lot already. He has good size for a wing at just under 6'8 (in shoes) 212lbs with a 6'10ws. He was very productive at St Johns and profiles as a nice backup 3/4 who can play team defense and hot open shots. Not a high ceiling guy but a solid roster filling player at a premium position.
Ron Harper Jr., He is a player who I have debated with a lot and might be better suited to be an undrafted FA. He has a unique frame for an NBA player measurement very similar but longer then Jaw Crowder at 6’5.5” (in shoes) 240lbs. with a massive 7’1.25”ws. He came to the combine with a body fat % of 14.3% this is likely splitting hairs, but I do think shedding a little weight would help him in the NBA. If he has the lateral quickness to stay with NBA wings he projects as a very useful 3-D player.
Wing
Aminu Mohammed, A bulldog type wing defender whose measurements are nearly identical to Dwayne Wades. 6'5(in shoes) 212lbs with a 6'11ws. His offensive game is a major work in progress but if the coaching staff can refine his shot, he is very easy to project as a super switchable wing capable of playing in a playoff series.
Jordan Hall, A jumbo initiator type Wing at 6'8.5" (in shoes) 210lbs with only a 6'9ws he may with time be able to defend up he is an excellent passer and could be a "connecting" type perimeter player along the same archetypal lines as Lonzo Ball or Kyle Anderson. Adding a + sized wing to move the ball alongside dominant scorers makes for great offense. He will have to show that he can athletically hang in the NBA
Johnny Juzang, after a great college career and possessing great size at 6’6.5” (in shoes) 208 lbs. with a 6’11” wingspan and athleticism for the NBA it’s hard for me to see Juzang not finding a role given the need to wing depth in the NBA.
