The Boston Celtics don’t know when they will be drafting the team’s next rookie class in the 2020 NBA Draft, but whenever it happens, the Celtics will have as many as four selections in it.
While they don’t know the date of the draft, they know they are certain to have at least two first-round draft picks. More likely, they will have three if the Memphis Grizzlies make the playoffs.
If the season ended today, they would.
They’ll also have a second round draft pick coming to them from the Atlanta Hawks currently slated to fall 46th overall.
And though the lion’s share of attention has fallen to the likely trio of first round picks, there might be a quality prospect to be had midway through the second round as well.
To that end, the Celtics Wire will look at five guards, bigs and wings who might be a good fit for Boston in that range, starting today with guards.
Joel Ayayi — guard — Gonzaga
Ayayi is a 20-year-old, 6-foot-5, 180-pound combo guard originally from Bordeaux, France.
His combination of size, defense and rebounding for a backcourt player (he averaged 6.3 per game as a sophomore project well at the next level. He’s a decent distributor and solid finisher when he attacks the cup.
His biggest issue, however, is he rarely does. With just 1.9 attempts per game last season, it’s easily the area of his game to clean up — and he connects 82.5 % of his shots from the stripe.
Payton Pritchard — point guard — Oregon
At 22, Pritchard is a bit long in the tooth to be taken higher than mid-second round for some, but truth be told he has a fairly complete game already. He stands 6-foot-2, and weighs 190 lbs.
He also has mostly good form, and shoots 41.5 % from deep 6.8 times per game, averaging 20.5 points, 4.3 boards and 5.5 assists per game in 2019-20 — exactly the sort of bench scoring Boston could use.
His biggest ‘fault’ is a 6-foot-4 wingspan, which may make it difficult for Oregonian to defend at a high level in the NBA, but his other capabilities will likely be more than enough to make up for it.
Cassius Winston — point guard — Michigan State
Winston is an intriguing alternative for a team looking for bench scoring; while also a bit older and just 6-foot-1, Winston’s offensive capabilities are worth a look.
The Detroit native scored 18.6 points and 5.9 assists per game in his senior season at Michigan State, and shot 43.2 % from beyond the arc on 5.6 attempts per contest. He’s also a frequent visitor to the charity stripe at 4.5 attempts per game, connecting 85.2 % of his free throws.
Apart from his age, his biggest knocks are his size-related limitations on defense and rebounding, and tendency to turn the ball over.
Malachi Flynn — point guard — San Diego State
Like Winston, Flynn is a bit shorter and older than you’d like at the 1, 22 years of age and standing 6-foot-1 as well.
But unlike Winston, Flynn is a bit of a dog on defense, and rarely turns the ball over. While his 3-point percentage isn’t jaw-dropping at 37.3 %, his free throw percentage of 85.7 % suggests he’ll improve at the next level.
Age aside, a mere 6-foot-3 wingspan may knock his defensive capabilities down a notch at the next level, but he already uses his high basketball IQ to adapt defensively, so it’s not unreasonable to think he might be competent in the NBA as well.
Grant Riller — guard — Charleston
Practically an old man in draft terms at 23, Riller’s age shouldn’t off-put teams too much. A solid 6-foot-3 combo guard who can score and shoot well, he’s also a prospect worthy of the Celtics’ consideration.
While not the best outside shot at 36.2 %, he’s also not overly reliant on it, shooting just under 50 % from the field overall. He rebounds well for a guard at 5.1 per game with Charleston in 2019-20, and is a passable defender with quick, active hands.
He does turn the ball over a lot at 3.4 times per contest, but will likely play off-ball a lot more in the NBA.
