Sports Illustrated’s NCAA expert Jeremy Woo has released a new mock draft with the Boston Celtics taking some novel prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Celtics could see their actual draft fortunes change with eight games of the 2019-20 NBA season finally being resumed at the end of July in Lake Buena Vista Florida at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, particularly if the Memphis Grizzlies fall out of the postseason picture.
Had the season ended today, Boston would get that first rounder 17th overall, though it’s not out of the question that selection could end up as high as seventh overall if the Griz stumble enough (due to top-six protections) — or dropping even further back if Memphis has a late surge.
Similarly, the projected 26th (their own) and 30th (owed them by the Milwaukee Bucks) could move about a bit as well, though not much — particularly given the Bucks’ pick is all but guaranteed to remain where it is.
And while the Celtics have dealt away their own second round pick in this draft, they are owed a second from the Brooklyn Nets that will convey about 46th overall.
So who does Woo see the Celtics taking?
No. 17 overall – RJ Hampton – guard – New Zealand Breakers
Hampton, a highly-rated prospect who stumbled after a rough, injury-plagued season in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), slips to Boston in this scenario.
There are some significant red flags that caused him to fall from among the top prospects of the 2020 draft — most notably his continued issues with getting the ball to go through the hoop.
But at just 19 and standing 6-foot-5, Hampton could still turn it around — though it seems unlikely a team with such a strong need for bench scoring would go for a prospect unlikely to become a star with limited offensive skills.
No. 26 overall – Aleksej Pokusevski – forward – Olympiacos
A popular mock to Boston the Celtics Wire has discussed several times now, Pokusevski’s guard-like mobility on both ends of the floor and solid jumper coming from the hands of a true 7-foot prospect would be hard to resist at any point in the first round.
His wire-thin frame at just 201 lbs. is perhaps the biggest obstacle to his success — his issues finishing, rebounding and defending at least partly a product of his spare frame.
The negatives are worth the risk given the Serbian big man is one of the few prospects in the Celtics potential range with real star upside though, and he might also be amenable to a season or two overseas to bulk up and hone his game while Boston sorts out its current roster crunch.
No. 30 overall – Jalen Smith – center – Maryland
Smith is an ideal option for the Celtics in this range if still on the board, as he is an excellent defender who can protect the rim and rebound at a high clip (10.5 per game in his last season with the Terrapins).
Even more intriguing is his 3-point shot, which he connects with 36.8 % of the time and launches often at 4.8 per contest.
He may well be off the board by this late in the draft, but he’d be a defensible pick at anywhere Boston could nab him.
No. 46 overall – Udoka Azubuike center – Kansas
Another big man, Azubuike is much more of a traditional big man who likes to work near the basket, is a 7-footer, and has a 7-foot-7 wingspan.
With no outside shot to speak of, teams may understandably be unwilling to gamble on a type of player with a limited role in the modern NBA.
But the former Jayhawk is an excellent rim protector, prodigious rebounder and is built like a linebacker on stilts, the perfect compliment to the Celtics existing retinue of front court options.
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