In the absence of the Big Dance and other NCAA-level postseason tournaments to evaluate prospects — and possibly the NBA’s 2020 Draft Combine too — analysts have been hitting video extra hard to get an idea of what might be coming down the pike in terms of NBA prospects.
MassLive’s Tom Westerholm has been no exception, putting out several articles in recent weeks assessing potential draft options for the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft for each of Boston’s three draft picks.
Slated to pick 17th (via the Memphis Grizzlies), 26th (their own) and 30th overall (due them by the Milwaukee Bucks), Westerholm has another five options for the Celtics to consider, this time all big men.
Which frontcourt prospects should Boston’s team president be looking into? Which ones should he avoid? Let’s take a look at who might be worth one of the Celtics’ trio of first-rounders.
No. 1 – Isaiah Stewart, Washington
As the Celtics Wire has noted previously, Stewart has an elite motor that may well bring him success at the next level, and that he is just 18 years old suggests a fair amount of time to grow into a more complete player.
There is hope the Rochester native will develop an outside shot (25 % from 3-point range over just 20 attempts) due to good form and ability at the free throw line (77.4 % ), but the lack of game away from the cup is concerning.
Stewart’s 7-foot-4 wingspan and high-energy play help him block 2.4 shots per game, but at 6-foot-9 he may still have issues defending the bigger centers of the league someone with his skill profile would otherwise be pitted against.
A solid-if-limited defender, Stewart could be worth a look later in the first round if available, but the lack of fit for Boston and the modern NBA (at least before he develops a shot) suggest the Celtics should consider other bigs first.
No. 2 – Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
Another “undersized” big man, 20-year-old Achiuwa is an outstanding, mobile defender with decent handles and a functional outside shot. He gets to the line a solid 6 times per game, but could use some help converting them.
He tends to turn the ball over too much at 2.8 per game, and isn’t a great passer, but also has few significant problems with his game, even if he doesn’t have a single dominant skill.
He’ll probably never be a knock-down shooter, but blocks 1.9 shots per game at the college level and rebounds at a high clip.
He also has the strength and frame to defend up to bigger frontcourt opponents with some degree of switchability in smaller lineups, and ought to be considered with one of the Celtics’ latter two selections.
No. 3 – Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos B
While Pokusevski is a true 7-footer, he’s also rail-thin at just 200 pounds, and not exactly a traditional NBA center physically. But his young age (18 years old), excellent passing, rim protection, and rebounding in particular ought to get any GM’s attention.
Throw in he’s a solid and willing 3-point shot at 32.1 % at 4.1 attempts per game, and you could see an exceptional player with the right setting and some luck. He can put the ball on the floor and run with it when the opportunity presents itself as well.
He’ll need to bulk up, improve his finishing and increase his trips to the line, but at such a young age, even a season in an NBA training regimen should have noticeable effects on his game. While there’s a chance he’ll get picked up before he falls to Boston’s range, he’s a prospect worth keeping tabs on.
No. 4 – Paul Reed, DePaul
As noted before on the Celtics Wire, Reed is an outstanding rim-protector and rebounder despite being just 6-foot-9, and can handle the ball and shoot well enough that you can see potential for growth on offense as well.
His scoring is varied if unpolished, and while not a knockdown shot, he’s a crafty pickpocket on defense, stealing the ball 1.9 per game in 2019-20. A low free throw attempt rate.
Boston shouldn’t be put off by the fact that he will be a little old at 21 by draft night, but if available at 26th or later, the Celtic should seriously consider the low-floor prospect.
No. 5 – Vernon Carey Jr., Duke
Another prospect profiled previously by the Celtics Wire, his reliance on his post game and lack of skill in switching schema suggest he’ll have a limited role in the NBA, even with a high motor and solid-if-rare outside shot at 38.1 % from three.
Another high-profile collegiate casualty of the modern game at the NBA level, Carey is still worth a look late in the first, but his limitations are too great to consider with Boston’s best pick at 17th overall.
He’s a young 19, rebounds blocks shots and gets to the line well enough, but needs to convert more at 67 % and tends to turn the ball over too much. A five-star recruit with a Blue Devil pedigree ought to be higher, but the times, they are a-changed.
