While still in recovery from the Celtics collapse in the Finals, TheBostonInsider is here as always to make the annual predictions on what could happen at the annual NBA Draft.
Before I dive in to the Mocking of the Draft, I'd like to share my thoughts on the Celtics and their very bright future.
Yes, it was disappointing to see the Warriors take control down the stretch of Game 4 and win the last three games of the Finals to claim their fourth title of the Steph Curry Era. But I'm more of the mindset to credit the Warriors than to attack the Celtics for this outcome. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown should be the head of a core that will contend for the next several years and, like many young stars who have failed to win a title in their first shot at the Finals, it is expected that this experience will only benefit Tatum and Brown in their development as players and as leaders.
Boston will face a tough road in the East the next few years as Milwaukee, Miami, and Philadelphia figure to remain in the contender picture and young teams such as Cleveland and Detroit could also factor into contention.
But with Tatum and Brown on the court, Ime Udoka on the sidelines, and Brad Stevens in the front office there is legitimate optimism that this run to the Finals will be the start of a long period of contention - and, hopefully, several championships - for the Celtics.
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2022 NBA Mock Draft
1. Houston Rockets (projected trade with Orlando Magic): Paolo Banchero, F, Duke (Houston sends Kevin Porter Jr. as well as the #3 and #17 picks to Orlando for the #1 pick)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, F, Gonzaga
3. Orlando Magic (projected trade with Houston Rockets): Jabari Smith, F, Auburn
4. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray, F, Iowa
5. Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue
6. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, G, Arizona
7. Toronto Raptors (projected trade with Portland Trailblazers): Shaedon Sharpe, G, Kentucky (Toronto sends OG Anunoby to Portland for the #7 pick)
8. New Orleans Pelicans (from Los Angeles Lakers): Dyson Daniels, G, G League Ignite
9. San Antonio Spurs: AJ Griffin, G, Duke
10. Washington Wizards: Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin
11. New York Knicks: Jalen Duren, F, Memphis
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Los Angeles Clippers): Ousmane Dieng, F, New Zealand Breakers
13. Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams, C, Duke
14. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ochai Agbaji, G, Kansas
15. Charlotte Hornets (from New Orleans Pelicans): Malaki Branham, G, Ohio State
16. Atlanta Hawks: Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor
17. Orlando Magic (projected trade with Houston Rockets): TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky
18. Chicago Bulls: E.J. Liddell, G, Ohio State
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tari Eason, F, LSU
20. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors): Nikola Jovic, F, ABA Mega Mozzart
21. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Williams, G, Santa Clara
22. Memphis Grizzles (from Utah Jazz): Patrick Baldwin Jr., F, Milwaukee
23. Philadelphia 76ers: Dalen Terry, G, Arizona
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Wendell Moore Jr., G, Duke
25. San Antonio Spurs (from Boston Celtics): Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
26. Houston Rockets (from Dallas Mavericks): Jaden Hardy, G, G League Ignite
27. Miami Heat: Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee
28. Golden State Warriors: Kendall Brown, F, Baylor
29. Memphis Grizzlies: Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame
30. Denver Nuggets (from Oklahoma City Thunder via Phoenix Suns): Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest
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As the Celtics do not have a first round pick (it was sent to the Spurs as part of the Derrick White trade), here are some thoughts on what they might do with their pick at #53 and some thoughts on the young players already on their roster.
Stevens will not be expected to fill an immediate need with the 53rd pick. The odds of whoever they select, if they even make the pick, of making the roster are slim. But, a roll of the dice to add a player with a specific skill that could possibly be developed into a rotational player a few years down the road is why the Celtics pay Stevens the big bucks. Never forget, the Spurs selected Manu Ginobili with the 57th pick in 1999 and he is bound for the Hall of Fame after winning four championships in San Antonio.
The Celtics, like many other NBA teams, could stand to add shooting and rebounding. A developmental point guard prospect is not a bad idea either.
Some intriguing prospects that could possibly be on the board at the end of this year's Draft are Italian wing Gabriele Procida, Italian point guard Matteo Spagnolo, Croatian center Karlo Matkovic, and American forward Dominick Barlow.
Procida (age 20) is an athletic 6-7 wing with an NBA ready 3-point shot. It's not crazy to predict that with some physical development that he could be a rotation player in the NBA in a few years.
Spagnolo (age 19) demonstrates the ability to operate in the pick and roll to create for himself or for his teammates and has a good mid-range jump shot that, with time, should extend to the 3-point line.
Matkovic (age 21) has NBA size at 6-11 and 230 pounds and is an aggressive screener and rebounder with the ability to finish near the basket.
Barlow (age 19) has the size and athleticism to defend screen and roll, protect the basket, and rebound. A possible future Robert Williams.
In the last two drafts (Danny Ainge was making the picks in 2020 before Stevens replaced him prior to the 2021 Draft), Boston added Israeli point guard Yam Madar (47th pick in 2020) and French wing Juhann Begarin (45th pick in 2021). Both players have stayed overseas, with Madar (age 21) playing this season in Serbia for KK Partizan and Begarin (age 19) playing for Paris Basketball in France. Madar is viewed as the better offensive product, and has drawn good reviews for an improved 3-point shot, while Begarin needs work on his shooting but has the physical profile to defend the wing in the NBA. Both will get an opportunity to shine in July's Summer League.
The Celtics also have 2020 first round picks Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard on the roster as well as 2021 undrafted rookie Sam Hauser.
Pritchard contributed off the bench as a shooter in the playoffs. He's somewhat of a liability on defense due to his size (5-11) but he competes and has shown he can make open shots to complement Tatum and Brown.
Nesmith has not proven to be an NBA caliber shooter after being drafted for that very reason. He is a good sized (6-6) and athletic wing who has played hard in the minutes he has received. If Stevens keeps him on the roster for next season, he will have to prove he can slow down on offense and contribute by making open shots. In a way, Nesmith may end up being this year's first round pick in that after two years spent mostly watching from the bench, he possibly could end up earning a contributing role next season in place of them not having a first rounder to provide that optimism.
Hauser is a 6-7 shooter. With Tatum and Brown drawing so much attention from opposing defenses, Hauser could find a way to stick in the rotation if makes open 3's and is not a negative on defense.
Boston will not have great flexibility with the salary cap in upcoming years so drafting and developing talent to complement their two stars at the end of the first and second rounds will be critical to maintaining long term success. While expectations for the likes of Pritchard, Madar, Begarin, Hauser, and whomever is selected at 53 tonight should not be overly high, Stevens and Udoka do need to identify prospects that have the necessary skills to build a deep roster that Tatum and Brown can lead to championships.
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