The Boston Celtics might be looking in the 2020 NBA draft to add a point guard with enough upside to one day replace Kemba Walker — but also enough skill now to back him up this coming season as the team attempts to assemble a contender.
And as an institution, they tend to trust scouting over many years with a given prospect over a bad season or injury history, making North Carolina point guard product Cole Anthony a possible fit, depending on how the franchise sees his potential.
A top recruit coming out of high school with an NBA pedigree (his dad Greg Anthony played for several teams in the 1990s, such as Pat Riley’s New York Knicks), Anthony had a rough sole season with the Tar Heels, tearing a meniscus midway through the season.
He’s since recovered, but his stock has slipped in most mock drafts, which place him anywhere from just outside of the lottery to as late as the 19th pick of the draft.
UNC's Cole Anthony has met with the Celtics virtually, and believes the talk went well, and would be excited to play for a team that could have "easily made the Finals".
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) November 13, 2020
While he hasn’t worked out with Boston, he did meet with them virtually ahead of the draft, and shared his thoughts about his fit if they did end up selecting him.
“That’d be stepping on to a team that could very easily have made the finals this year,” began Anthony.
“I know they’re super talented, they’re young,” said Anthony. “Obviously Kemba is there right now. Being able to play with someone like that and learn from them would be awesome and a blessing, so that would be pretty cool.”
His high-energy, offensive-oriented play has his floor projected as a backup, but his efficiency long-term will determine whether he ends up ascending to higher heights, some even seeing some star potential should his game pan out and his knee stay healthy.
.png?w=600)
