The NBA Draft is coming up on November 18. Armed with three first round picks (#14, #26, and #30), the Celtics could go in a variety of directions. TheBostonInsider will be taking a look at several players that could be a fit in Boston.
Aaron Nesmith, Sophomore, Guard, Vanderbilt (6-6, 213 pounds)
The NBA is becoming more and more about shooting, and Nesmith has the type of shot that will allow him to contribute immediately.
Nesmith has an NBA body and an NBA shot. I am surprised that most of the Mock Drafts have him in the middle of the first round as I see him as one of the best overall prospects in the Draft. His strengths translate to the NBA game.
Similar to how Tyler Herro stepped right into the Miami Heat's rotation and helped them reach the NBA Finals, Nesmith has the type of offensive game that could make him a contributor from day one on a contending team such as the Celtics.
Nesmith is a shooter. He averaged 23 points-per-game while shooting 52.2% from 3-point last season. As you watch his highlights, he is just as comfortable knocking down shots off of drive-and-kick as he is coming off of screens. Nesmith also has a good repertoire of fakes and one-dribble moves to evade defenders closing out to his shot, and he finds his balance quickly in order to get off his shot.
While not known as a player that likes to attack the basket off of the dribble, that is a skill that can be developed at the NBA level. If he were to come to Boston, working with the likes of Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Jaylen Brown would be ideal in terms of developing the skill of attacking the basket.
Nesmith's physical tools also will present him with the chance to be a plus defender. He is tall, has a strong frame, and long arms (6-10 wingspan). Given the chance to learn from Brown and Marcus Smart, he could develop into a strong defensive wing.
One of Boston's weaknesses in their Conference Finals loss to the Heat was a lack of perimeter shooting and wing defense. Nesmith has the game and the body to be able to help the Celtics in 2020-21 as they look to finally get over the hump and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. Nesmith has the potential to develop into a very good NBA player and surrounding Tatum and Brown with talent - especially talent that can shoot - is going to be critical for Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens over the next few years.
Nesmith is a player the Celtics may want to trade up to get, rather than hope he's waiting for them at #14.
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