Boston Celtics: Recent first round picks at NBA Summer League
By Kane Pitman
Boston Celtics first round pick Robert Williams is set to hit the court in the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Let’s take a look back at the Celtics’ recent first-rounders’ performances in the July showcase.
For hoops fans feeling the withdrawals already, fear not, as the 2018 NBA Summer League is here. For the Boston Celtics, it will be an opportunity for their newest first round pick, Robert Williams, to hit the floor in the green and white for the first time.
Since the 2014 NBA Draft, the Celtics have made eight first round selections including Williams, as listed below:
- 2014 – Marcus Smart (sixth overall), James Young (17th overall)
- 2015 – Terry Rozier (16th overall), (R.J Hunter (28th overall)
- 2016 – Jaylen Brown (3rd overall), Guerschon Yabusele (16th overall), Ante Zizic (23rd overall)
- 2017 – Jayson Tatum (3rd overall)
- 2018 – Robert Williams (27th overall)
From the 2017-18 squad that reached the Eastern Conference Finals, five of those players played rotation minutes for Brad Stevens’ squad. Five out of seven is a pretty damn good strike rate for Danny Ainge and co, highlighting why they were able to make an inspired run in the 2018 NBA Playoffs despite key injuries to veteran players.
With that in mind, Celtics have every right to feel optimistic about Williams becoming a rotation player as soon as this season. But how much stock should they put into Summer League play?
Let’s take a look back at the names above, and how they’ve performed under the July heat.