Celtics 2024 NBA Draft: Brad Stevens’ philosophy and 10 targets at choose #30

“We’ll get pleasure from tonight,” Brad Stevens stated throughout championship celebration after profitable Sport 5 final Monday. “However…that draft exercise tomorrow…that needs to be enjoyable.”

No relaxation for the depraved. Simply over per week after profitable their league-leading 18th title in franchise historical past, the Boston Celtics are prepping for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Switches are flipping from a grueling playoff run to a variety of draft prospects who might be accessible at pics No. 30 and 54.

Like final yr, when Jordan Walsh was Boston’s solely draft takeaway, Brad Stevens and the entrance workplace are getting into this yr’s occasion with an identical thought course of: Including assist for the long run.

“I believe there’s loads of shifting components to maintaining this roster sustainable past this yr, however particularly to this yr is we obtained loads of guys again,” Stevens stated on Tuesday. “Will probably be exhausting for any draft choose to crack our rotation when wholesome.

“And so, we’ll take into consideration how we are able to greatest proceed to spend money on younger gamers and their improvement and progress, with the truth that, if we’re in a position to proceed to maneuver ahead with this group, these guys are going to be on the courtroom. So, this might be alternative once more to usher in anyone who we expect will assist us down the highway.”

The Celtics have gotten very costly, very quick. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White are each due extensions within the close to future, and Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Vacation all already make over $30 million per season.

Sustaining that worth level can solely be justified by resounding success, which they achieved this season. However concurrently, guaranteeing future triumph revolves across the similar rules that Joe Mazzulla stresses on the courtroom: Profitable the margins.

Boston’s end-of-bench gamers might not be enjoying an enormous function now, however as Horford (38 years outdated), Vacation (34 years outdated), and Porzingis (28 years outdated with an harm historical past) grow old, they need to be ready to fill the gaps.

Stevens is continually pondering forward, and this yr’s draft might be no completely different.

“So far as the picks go, if the best particular person is offered at 30, then we are going to take them, and if we’ve a few folks that we expect are nonetheless the best particular person, then we’ll see what our choices are and how much flexibility we’ve,” Stevens stated.

“However I anticipate selecting a few picks, and whether or not they’re on the roster or a two-way, investing in younger gamers, I just- If they arrive in and crack our rotation, then they’re actually good. That’ll be factor, too.”

Although there might not be any gamers accessible worthy of quick rotation minutes, loads of prospects mission as spectacular long-term additions, and Stevens famous that he expects to make two alternatives.

There might be a wide selection of choices accessible to the Celtics, significantly at choose No. 30.

Celtics 2024 NBA Draft targets at choose No. 30

Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

Age: 23 years outdated | Place: WingHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 6-foot-8Stats (Fifth-12 months Senior): 18.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 44.8% FG, 38.1% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Large Brandin Podziemski (The Ringer), Joe Ingles (NBA.com), Gordon Hayward (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Larger Austin Reaves lite

After 5 years in faculty, three at South Dakota State and two at Creighton, Baylor Scheierman enters the NBA Draft as some of the NBA-ready offensive gamers. A easy lefty stroke aids him in being one of many higher shooters within the class, and he’s an adept playmaker for his dimension and place, too. His shot creation talents have additionally been polished by years of being a main choice in faculty, and his rebounding has shined, too.

The defensive issues are actual, as he’s by no means been nice at staying in entrance of men as a result of his poor athleticism and general flat-footedness.

Ought to Boston goal Scheierman, who has been in with the Celtics for a exercise, they might doubtless put him on the trail to being one other Sam Hauser-type participant.

Scheierman’s defensive limitations appear a bit harder to beat than Hauser’s struggles firstly of his profession. That stated, he’s a greater general shot-creator and playmaker than Hauser is.

Tyler Smith, G League Ignite

Age: 19 years outdated | Place: ForwardHeight: 6-foot-10 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1Stats: 13.4 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 48.1% FG, 36.4% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Charlie Villanueva (The Ringer), Channing Frye (NBA.com), Trey Lyles (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Extra athletic Santi Aldama

An up-and-down yr for Tyler Smith with the G League Ignite had his draft projections far and wide. He was sizzling to start out the yr, incomes lottery consideration, however his manufacturing slowly waned, and now, he’s projected to land later within the first spherical.

One other lefty shooter, Smith proved able to draining triples, and at 6-foot-10, that’s a priceless commodity no matter the remainder of his ability set. His athleticism makes him a possible hazard within the pick-and-roll, too.

But regardless of having a terrific NBA physique, Smith’s protection nonetheless isn’t in a terrific place. He will get beat off the dribble too simply and is way too keen when leaping at pump fakes. It’s paying homage to an early Robert Williams III at instances however with out the ultra-elite instincts.

There’s a transparent define for Smith to grow to be a productive participant within the NBA for a very long time along with his offensive abilities and body, however the protection and general endurance want work.

Adem Bona, UCLA

Age: 21 years outdated | Place: CenterHeight: 6-foot-9 | Wingspan: 7-foot-4Stats (Sophomore): 12.4 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 blocks, 58.8% FGVarious NBA comparisons: Montrezl Harrell (The Ringer), Isaiah Jackson (NBA.com), Clint Capela (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Linebacker Daniel Gafford

Adem Bona performs with unbelievable vitality. At his dimension and along with his wingspan, he has all of the makings of a freakish rim-runner who can throw his all on the glass on each ends of the ground. He might be an incredible above-the-rim risk. That stated, the remainder of his offensive recreation wants loads of work. Bona isn’t a terrific passer and has no semblance of a three-point shot, which may restrict his function on the Celtics long-term.

Defensively, Bona may find yourself being an actual risk when serving to over within the paint. He has nice shot-blocking instincts and the wingspan to place them to good use. Like all freak-athlete defenders, nevertheless, Bona can get in foul bother sometimes.

As outlined by Tyler Rucker of No Ceilings on the How ‘Bout Them Celtics podcast, UCLA introduced in a bunch of worldwide recruits that didn’t pan out in Bona’s sophomore season. He was thrust into a job he’s not used to, changing into extra of a put up participant, so his scouting is a bit wonky.

If Bona needs to stay on the NBA degree, he’ll should work on his self-discipline, and the offense might want to come alongside considerably, however his vitality and hustle are sufficient to make groups need him round regardless.

AJ Johnson, Illawarra Hawks (NBL)

Age: 19 years outdated | Place: GuardHeight: 6-foot-5 | Wingspan: 6-foot-8Stats: 2.9 factors, 1.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 35.5% FG, 27.8% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Nick Younger (The Ringer), Jamal Crawford (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Jordan Clarkson

AJ Johnson is among the weirdest prospects on this class, as he has among the clearest upside on the board. However with how unstable his season with the Illawarra Hawks (coached by Justin Tatum, Jayson’s dad) within the NBL was, it’s robust to inform how nicely he’ll do within the NBA.

Initially, Johnson dedicated to Texas, however he ended up deciding to hitch the NBL as an alternative. Sadly, he didn’t earn constant minutes, so he wasn’t in a position to get any semblance of continuity, and it could have affected his effectivity.

Talking of, Johnson was wholly inefficient when he did play for the Hawks, however he confirmed some actual potential to grow to be a top-tier scorer and playmaker. He’s shifty, fast, and an explosive athlete. Jalen Inexperienced and him are long-time buddies.

Johnson confirmed some flashes of improved protection throughout his time within the NBL, however his small body may maintain him again a bit in that regard. He’ll have loads of time to enhance, however Johnson is a whole mission participant proper now.

Ulrich Chomche, NBA Academy Africa

Age: 18 years outdated | Place: CenterHeight: 6-foot-11 | Wingspan: 7-foot-4Stats (three video games): 13.0 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.7 blocks, 42.4% FG, 38.1% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Serge Ibaka (The Ringer), Serge Ibaka (NBA.com), Clint Capela (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Serge Ibaka lite

One other very uncooked prospect, Ulrich Chomche seems to be like he might be a drive on each ends of the courtroom if he lives as much as his full potential. However that’s an enormous “if” contemplating he solely began enjoying basketball at 11 years outdated and by no means performed faculty or professional ball.

Chomche, who’s from Cameroon, is a product of NBA Academy Africa. There, he confirmed off his elite potential on the defensive aspect of the ball. He’s a terrific athlete who strikes remarkably nicely for his dimension and has proven the power to roam down low and file wild blocks.

His three-point shot is extraordinarily weird-looking, but it surely fell at a good price throughout his Academy video games (albeit on comparatively low quantity). As a lob goal and offensive rebounder, Chomche can also be efficient, however all over the place else, he wants to enhance.

The true motive why Chomche isn’t increased up on draft boards is due to how really uncooked he’s as a prospect. He’s nonetheless determining the sport on a sure degree. There are shifting screens, positioning points, and general, he simply wants time to completely develop.

Ryan Dunn, Virginia

Age: 21 years outdated | Place: WingHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1Stats (Sophomore): 8.1 factors, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 54.8% FG, 20.0% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Herb Jones (The Ringer), Matisse Thybulle (NBA.com), Tari Eason (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Supercharged, huge Danny Inexperienced (with no offense)

If Trae Younger is one of the best all-offense, no-defense participant within the NBA, Ryan Dunn is the antithesis of him. If Matisse Thybulle was one of the best all-defense, no-offense draft prospect in recent times, Dunn takes that notion to a different degree on each ends of the spectrum.

The Virginia product will step into the NBA as some of the spectacular defenders instantly. He’s one of the best all-around defender on this class and an absolute menace on the perimeter. Dunn is the kind of participant different gamers hate to go up towards.

Sadly, that degree of intimidation is met by the other on the opposite finish of the ground. The surface shot is totally off, he can not create for himself in any respect, and the one actual function he can have is that of an off-ball cutter. That stated, he’s athletic, so he can stand up and end on the rim at a satisfactory price.

If Dunn was even a satisfactory three-point shooter, he could be a possible top-10 choose on this yr’s draft. However he’s not. Any crew that drafts Dunn must be assured of their skill to wholly remodel his offensive recreation.

Pacome Dadiet, Ratiopharm (Germany)

Age: 18 years outdated | Place: ForwardHeight: 6-foot-9 | Wingspan: 6-foot-9Stats (Germany): 6.6 factors, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 50.2% FG, 35.8% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Michael Finley (The Ringer), Isaac Okoro (NBA.com), Tobias Harris (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Tall, skinny Joe Johnson

Pacome Dadiet has shot up draft boards in latest weeks regardless of not enjoying a ton of minutes for Ratiopharm in Germany. The younger French prospect remains to be very uncooked however has the define of a top-notch scorer on the NBA degree.

There are few prospects fairly as fluid as Dadiet is with the ball in his arms. His quantity was low in Germany, however when he had the rock, he at all times regarded like he knew what he was doing. Now, typically he didn’t, and it resulted in youthful, sloppy turnovers, but it surely’s clear that the move is there.

Dadiet initiatives to be three-point shooter and needs to be a strong playmaker as nicely, although he didn’t do a lot of that with Ratiopharm. Defensively, he has the construct to be a reasonably versatile defender.

General, Dadiet simply wants to chop out the foolish errors and show that he can do what he did in Germany at the next degree with extra touches and towards harder competitors. Simple sufficient… proper? Realistically, Dadiet is a mission participant who may growth (and can doubtless be chosen earlier than choose No. 30).

PJ Corridor, Clemson

Age: 22 years outdated | Place: Ahead/CenterHeight: 6-foot-9 | Wingspan: 7-foot-1Stats (Senior): 18.3 factors, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, 48.8% FG, 31.5% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Submit-prime Blake Griffin (The Ringer), Dean Wade (NBA.com), Tom Gugliotta (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Miami Warmth Kevin Love

PJ Corridor suits completely into the mildew of a top-tier faculty participant trying to translate what labored for him at that degree right into a profession within the NBA. The query is whether or not or not he’ll efficiently have the ability to try this.

Regardless of the poor numbers his senior season, the three-point shot is there—he shot 39.8% his junior season (on two fewer makes an attempt per recreation). Corridor relied on his post-game rather a lot in faculty, which he gained’t have the ability to do as a lot within the professionals, but it surely gave him a pleasant really feel across the basket.

Corridor is aware of what he’s doing on the defensive finish, however his general lack of athleticism holds him again. Positionally, he’s near-perfect, however he will get beat off the dribble as a result of his lack of quickness and might get antsy, leaping at too many fakes.

The 22-year-old has a pleasant really feel for the sport and might be a connective huge man off the pine if developed appropriately, however he’ll should show his three-point shot is constant and enhance defensively on the perimeter to make up for being undersized at his place.

Enrique Freeman, Akron

Age: 24 years outdated (in July) | Place: ForwardHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2Stats (Fifth-12 months Senior): 18.6 factors, 12.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, 58.4% FG, 37.0% 3PTVarious NBA comparisons: Tari Eason (The Ringer)Jack’s NBA comparability: Smaller Kevon Looney (possibly with a jumper)

Just a few months in the past, Enrique Freeman wasn’t on anybody’s draft radar. Now, he’s a possible second-round choose. He was a walk-on at Akron, and after declaring for the NBA Draft, he, as outlined by O’Connor, “obtained a Portsmouth Invitational Match invite, then earned a G League Elite Camp invite, after which was requested to take part within the NBA draft mix.”

Freeman boasts an incessant work ethic that bleeds its approach onto the courtroom by means of his infectious hustle. He’s at all times within the combine for rebounds and performs with a fireplace that exhibits itself in even the smallest motions he makes on the courtroom.

His insane wingspan makes him a powerful offensive rebounder, and whereas he was defending bigs in faculty, he has the make-up and hustle to maintain up with forwards, which he must do within the NBA.

Although he’s made enhancements, Freeman’s shot nonetheless isn’t all the way in which there, and he’ll should play a really completely different model of basketball if he needs to stay on the NBA degree. However by way of hustle, there are few gamers who can outdo Freeman on this draft class.

Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco

Age: 22 years outdated | Place: Ahead/CenterHeight: 6-foot-7 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2Stats (Senior): 14.2 factors, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, 63.6% FGVarious NBA comparisons: Ben Simmons if he have been a hooper (The Ringer), Kenneth Faried (No Ceilings)Jack’s NBA comparability: Large man Josh Hart (with no jumper)

Jonathan Mogbo is a really attention-grabbing case, as he has all of the instruments to be one of many extra versatile gamers on this draft—he simply can’t shoot. That’s what’s going to finish up holding him again, particularly with how undersized he’s.

That stated, Mogbo may find yourself being one of many higher all-around defenders on this class. He can cling with guards, wings, and bigs alike, and his offensive recreation (outdoors of his scoring) is analogous in that respect.

Mogbo is a powerful playmaker able to pushing the tempo on offense and figuring out of the brief roll. That’s the kind of basketball IQ that groups like to have on their squad. Plus, his huge wingspan helps him corral a ton of offensive rebounds.

Sadly, Mogbo’s three-point shot doesn’t really feel like it would get there, and whereas he’s a strong finisher across the rim, that would restrict his alternatives within the NBA, as he’s rather more of a ahead than a middle at his dimension. But when Boston needs to work with him and discover a option to make it work, Mogbo is definitely an especially distinctive expertise.

Different potential Celtics targets: Bobi Klintman (NBL), Quinten Submit (Boston Faculty), Pelle Larsson (Arizona), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas), Harrison Ingram (North Carolina), Cam Spencer (UConn), Trentyn Flowers (NBL)