The Boston Celtics hold the last pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite this, they recently celebrated their 18th championship title, having defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the NBA Finals last Monday.
With the celebration winding down, the Celtics’ leadership is shifting focus back to planning. They possess the 30th pick in the upcoming draft, set to begin on Wednesday, June 26th, and conclude on Thursday, June 27th.
Fresh off a championship victory, Boston remains focused on present success rather than rebuilding. Key players like Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis are secured for next season, with potential contract extensions for Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
While their first-round pick is unlikely to significantly alter the roster, the Celtics should still be vigilant. The team has heavily invested in their current roster, leading to inevitable luxury taxes and restrictions under the new CBA.
Given these financial constraints, major trades and significant signings are unlikely. Therefore, the Celtics must use the draft to plan for the future. Notably, Boston’s star players, Tatum and Brown, were both acquired through the draft rather than free agency.
Can the Celtics find another gem in the draft? Here are three of their best options for the 30th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Baylor Scheierman
A key component of Boston’s offense—and the modern NBA—is the three-pointer.
During the 2023-24 regular season, the Celtics led the league in three-point attempts by a significant margin, with head coach Joe Mazzulla prioritizing success from beyond the arc. Boston’s typical starting lineup includes five players who are all proficient three-point shooters. Even the primary bench players, such as Al Horford, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, and Xavier Tillman, are comfortable taking shots from deep.
Adding another strong shooter should be a priority for the Celtics, which is where Nebraska native Baylor Scheierman comes into play. The former Creighton Blue Jay averaged 18.5 points per game, shooting 44.8% from the field in his final season.
Over his five years in the NCAA, he hit 39% of his three-point attempts. His junior season stood out, with the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter making 46.9% of his three-pointers.
Similar to Sam Hauser, who transitioned from undrafted to a key bench player for Boston, Scheierman boasts similar stats. Both finished their college careers with around 40% shooting from beyond the arc and were nearly automatic from the free-throw line.
In his final year of eligibility, Scheierman also averaged nine rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. If the 23-year-old can replicate his shooting success in the NBA like Hauser did, he could find a place on the Celtics.
KJ Simpson
The 2024 NBA Draft offers plenty of shooting talent, including guard KJ Simpson.
The 21-year-old played three seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes, achieving career-highs in nearly every statistical category in his final season. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 47.5%.
Additionally, he shot 43.5% from deep. While his three-point volume wasn’t as high as Scheierman’s, he still attempted around two to five shots per game. Despite his 6-foot-2 frame, Simpson has enough skill and shot-making ability to keep defenders on their toes.
Simpson shares similarities with Pritchard, another Pac-12 guard. Comparing their final college seasons, Simpson had higher averages in rebounds and steals and boasted more efficient shooting percentages both inside and outside the three-point line. While this doesn’t necessarily make Simpson better, it does highlight his strong numbers.
White, who finished his college career with the Buffaloes, became a significant asset for the Celtics last season. Hopefully, Simpson can follow a similar trajectory in the coming years.
Yves Missi
Beyond shooting and guard play, the Celtics have other areas to address.
The center position in Boston is secure for now, but future concerns loom. Horford, at 38, is nearing the end of his career despite his remarkable longevity. Porzingis is Boston’s most skilled big man but has struggled with injuries. The 2018 All-Star missed 25 regular-season games and was sidelined during the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals due to a soleus strain.
Center Luke Kornet has been a reliable backup, but his future is uncertain as he and fellow big man Xavier Tillman Sr. become free agents this summer. The Celtics also have a decision to make regarding Neemias Queta, a 7-footer with a club option for the offseason.
To secure the center position for the future, the Celtics could consider drafting Yves Missi. The 7-footer averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 34 games for the Baylor Bears.
At 20 years old, Yves Missi would need significant development. He isn’t a shooting big man and had a mediocre free throw percentage of 61.6% in college. Fortunately, the Celtics don’t urgently need another center next season. Their need will likely arise in one to three years, when Horford might retire, Porzingis’ current contract ends, and the rest of the backup centers could be playing for other teams.
Regardless of whom the Celtics choose, they have the advantage of being the reigning champions. However, building a dynasty often begins in the draft, making each pick significant.
