Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Boston Celtics
- No. 27: Robert Williams (Texas A&M)
The Boston Celtics came into the night needing a center who could gobble up rebounds, protect the basket and provide a rim-running threat on the offensive end. They walked out with Robert Williams, a potential lottery-level talent who inexplicably dropped to No. 27.
Speaking with front office people for three different teams, the reaction to the Celtics nabbing Robert Williams at 27 has been “Hell of a pick,” “Absolute steal,” and “Son of a bitch.”
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 22, 2018
The big man out of Texas A&M fits the DeAndre Jordan, Clint Capela mold as a slightly undersized center with explosive athleticism and the ability to throw down lobs. He averaged 2.5 blocks per game (3.5 per 40 minutes) last year, makes solid passes and can even switch onto guards on the perimeter if need be.
The Celtics don’t need him to be a world-beater from day one, but he certainly addresses a few areas of need, bolstering the league’s best defense and providing a rim-rolling threat in the process. Getting a borderline lottery talent this late makes him the potential steal of the draft.
Grade: A