Hoops Habit
Fansided

Boston Celtics: What should the Celtics’ 2020 draft strategy be?

By Bill Barry

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Jaylen Brown #7, Daniel Theis #27, and Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics react on the bench after a teammate makes a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on October 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Jaylen Brown #7, Daniel Theis #27, and Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics react on the bench after a teammate makes a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on October 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Celtics are one of the deepest squads in the NBA which should add focus to their approach for the upcoming 2020 draft.

For a team like the Boston Celtics with a unique set of needs, the 2020 NBA Draft will be both a blessing and a challenge.

They will enter the offseason (whenever it begins) with most positional holes covered and three first-round picks to aid the effort. It is nothing but a luxury to possess four All-Star caliber players covering three positions.

More from Hoops Habit

To run an inventory, check off Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward on the wing. Jaylen Brown is young and emerging. The Celtics are good to go on the point too, as Kemba Walker should hold that position down for the next several years. Both Brown and Walker are top-end talents, and the interchangeability of the four aforementioned players allows a mix and match on a regular basis.

As we narrow the needs, one could consider the center position to be the priority. However, the Celts have a four-headed monster more than capable of covering their needs at this position. Enes Kanter is a solid NBA center, but the key is keeping is oft-injured talent on the floor.

That leaves us with a supporting cast of big men with Daniel Theis, Robert Williams and Vincent Poirier. Theis’ contributions speak for themselves. He seldom disappoints. And, there is no major fall off when bringing in Williams for Poirier. While they may not all be on the roster next year, any group of the three can ably compete in today’s NBA.

So, with the need not at center, we look at point guard. At that spot, Marcus Smart is Marcus Smart. He was another outstanding draft pick for the organization back in 2014. He is to this Boston Celtics team what M.L. Carr was to the 1980’s Celts.

Shooting guard? Yes, depth is needed. But the Celtics should look to free agency on this one. Time to go all-in at one particular position.

This brings us all the way around to the role that separates contenders from pretenders: Athletic power forward. No, we are not expecting a Giannis Antetokounmpo.  He transcends positions, as do players like Anthony Davis and of course, LeBron James.

No, we are talking of filling that need the way the Golden State Warriors did with Draymond Green or the Toronto Raptors with Pascal Siakam or the Miami Heat with Bam Adebayo. Athletic big. Excellent defender. High energy. Filling this role properly may be the only separation between the Boston Celtics and their 18th NBA title.

Can you imagine putting one of these three on the floor with Tatum, Brown, Walker, and Kanter, with Hayward, Smart, and Theis coming off the pine? Now you have something!

In this draft, the Celtics will pick 17th, 26th and 30th. For reference, the aforementioned threesome were selected numbers 35, 27 and 14 respectively. Sound similar?

More from Boston Celtics

Am I arguing the Boston Celtics have the opportunity to nab three players the caliber of the previous threesome? Not at all. It just is not that perfect a world.

But they should go all-in at this position. Rather than spread the picks over multiple needs such as back-up shooting guard or at the point, go all-in on the one largest hole. I would rather cover my bets going after the one position that can take them over the top than looking to enhance multiple roles to aid overall depth.

In identifying the targets for these Boston Celtics, there are certainly players at the top of the draft that could have an immediate impact. But picking at 17, they will never wear shamrock green.

No, we need to be looking at skill sets similar to what the Warriors, Raptors and Heat gained in the mid-to-late first round. Outstanding quickness. Innate defensive ability. And, the willingness to commit to improving their offensive game. You can teach scoring. You can not learn athleticism.

Plug the holes with these three targets. 6′ 9″, 201 lbs Jaden McDaniels out of the University of Washington, 6′ 8″, 225 lbs Patrick Williams from Florida State and 6′ 7″, 230 lbs Robert Woodard II of Mississippi State.

Yes, they all appear to be hybrid players which leads to the question of their actual position. But they match the talent of players who can fill the gap between good and great.

It is hard to know which, if any, will be the next Pascal Siakam or Bam Adebayo. But by covering their bets on their one most important need, they will have gone a long way in lifting one more Celtics banner to rafters of the Boston Garden.

Next. Celtics: 3 players not likely to return. dark

Home/Boston Celtics