In recent years, the Celtics have tended to prioritize drafting players with long-term potential and plenty of room to grow.
This year, after an agonizing loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, it is possible that they will instead look to fill an immediate need. Players with high ceilings are tempting, but sometimes players with high decks is the way to go, especially so late in the draft.
Here are five prospects they should consider with the 35th overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday.
Adama Sanogo, Ocon striker/midfielder
You may remember Sanogo from the dominant NCAA Tournament with UConn a few months ago.
At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, he makes up for his “lack” of traditional big-man height with a strong foundation and a wingspan of 7-foot-3. The tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Sanogo averaged 17.2 points and 7.7 rebounds this season and played his best basketball when it mattered most.
He can come instantly and make his presence felt. Even if he averages 3 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes, it helps. The Celtics really needed another great team during their playoff run (yes, even Cody Zeller would have helped), and Sanogo could fill that role very well.
He plays solid, runs the ground well for his size and is a great team player. In addition, he has a steadily improving outside shooting and is a sneaky good passer. It will not be a bust and is worth choosing.
Duke Whitehead Guard/Forward
Whitehead is 18 years old, but he’s a ready-made NBA player from a talent standpoint.
The 6-foot-7 guard/front guard features a unique combination of size, length, and athletic performance. He’s a guy who can provide instant energy off the bench next year.
At Duke, while he had a good season with 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game, he couldn’t really show his potential while dealing with an injury on a loaded roster. He was once considered a top-five prospect, but he had foot surgery last August and hasn’t quite hit his stride since.
Whitehead will fit in and learn from Jaylen Brown’s backup (assuming Brown stays). He plays on the ramps, has a great first move and has a chance to become a standout player in the NBA.
It has a high ceiling but also has a raised floor.
Trace Jackson Davis, Indiana forward
Although Jackson-Davis is likely to fall behind in the first round, he is likely to fall as early as the second round. If he does, the Celtics shouldn’t hesitate to take him.
He’s an Indiana guy, so Brad Stevens would love that. He also improved greatly with the Hoosiers, raising his scoring average from 13.5 as a freshman to 20.9 as a senior.
The word that comes to mind with Jackson Davis is diversity. He averaged 10.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.9 blocks, 0.8 steals and shot 58.1 percent from the field last year. He does a little bit of everything, finishes well at the edge and has a special jumping ability.
He’s not a great shooter right now, but he has the potential to become a respected player. Even if he didn’t sharpen his shot, he still had to hold on. If he does, he could develop into a great NBA player.
Oscar Cheppui, Kentucky forward/quarterback
The knock on Tshiebwe, like Sanogo, is that he’s “only” 6-foot-9 or so.
Having said that, he’s an outstanding – really cool – player. Tshiebwe shines in a position like few others and pursues the ball as relentlessly as his life depends on it. His plate totals averaged 15.1 in 2021-22, when he was National Player of the Year, and 13.7 last season.
The Celtics need another guy to dive down the ground, keep playing alive and playing with heart. Chibui could be that guy. His position moves worked in college, but the next step is to develop a variety of moves that will work in the NBA. He can get there.
Again, this list isn’t necessarily filled with guys who will average 20 points per game someday. It’s designed to highlight players who can contribute immediately and make winning games on a championship team – think Christian Braun.
Emoni Bates, Eastern Michigan guard/forward
Well, just for fun, here’s a long term project.
Bates, a 6-foot-9 winger who ranked first in the country from sixth grade through his junior year of high school, was supposed to be the next big thing.
He had a volatile freshman year in Memphis and was later sentenced to 18 months in prison after that. guilt on a misdemeanor gun charge.
Bates, still only 19, averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds last year with Eastern Michigan. The talent is still there, and he just needs the right team to unlock it. The Celtics have a strong enough culture, hard-working veterans, that Bates won’t be a distraction from the court.
His prowess on the court is intriguing, as his height, athleticism, and ability to slide from point A to point B make him a first-round talent likely to go in the second.