The Boston Celtics are working very hard to work out as many prospects seen as likely to go somewhere in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft ahead of the big event, with the ball club bringing in quite a few prospective targets seen as likely to end up somewhere outside of the first round of the annual affair.
With a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) giving contending teams like the Celtics a new two way player slot on rosters to raise the total to three per team at the same time it puts up new barriers to teambuilding for teams over the so-called “second apron,” it is more important than ever to make the most of the draft to onboard talent around the roster’s margins.
Adding to our previous reporting of the team’s known workouts comes a new wave courtesy of our sister sites Rookie Wire and HoopsHype — let’s take a look at who Boston has been scoping out.
Champion UConn shooting guard Andre Jackson works out with Celtics https://t.co/MAdd31JuBY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 12, 2023
Taylor Funk, Utah State
A four-year senior who stands at 6-foot-8 with an efficient if not especially lethal 3-point shot (37.0% from deep with Utah State last season), the Pennsylvania native can also pass the rock a bit and defends well at the 3.
A solid rebounder for a small forward (5.6 per game at the NCAA level), Funk studied Larry Bird growing up, which should endear him to Boston fans.
Jazian Gortman, Overtime Elite
Overtime Elite signs five-star point guard Jazian Gortman https://t.co/ae5gD6Jvwk pic.twitter.com/0W4dNYb9mP
— Xtraman Fundraising (@xtramancardsusa) August 11, 2021
A hyper-athletic guard with a great handle playing for the NBA’s Overtime Elite ball club, Gortman is a bit undersized as a modern NBA guard at 6-foot-2.
But his quick first step and impressive hops could carve out a reserve role for him at the next level.
Dillon Jones, Weber State
Weber State do-it-all wing Dillon Jones has been invited to the 2023 NBA G-League Elite Camp:
Jones averaged 16.7 PTS, 10.9 REB, and 3.8 AST for the Wildcats during his junior season | @drizzydj23 pic.twitter.com/7PNcFlj3EI
— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) May 4, 2023
A tweener forward in the mold of Grant Williams, Jones is 6-foot-6 and a sturdy 235 lbs. with elite rebounding for his size and position (10.1 per game with Weber State last season).
His 3-point shot is a work in progress (career 31.8%), but his high free throw rate (career 80.5%) hints that this is an area where Jones might be able to improve. Also a solid passing big who defends well, the South Carolina native makes lots of sense for Boston as a depth option.
Taevion Kinsey, Marshall
One of the better athletes (and streakier shooters) in the 2023 NBA draft pool, Kinsey’s 3-point shot has been all over the place across his NCAA career (18.3% to 40.4%), so getting a handle on what he might be capable of at the next level is a bit fraught.
The 6-foot-5 guard defends well and has a high basketball IQ, but needs to show that his shot won’t abandon him over long stretches to have a real shot at success in the NBA.
Jake Stephens, Chattanooga
Stephens is an intriguing 6-foot-10 center who shot quite well from beyond the arc with Chattanooga in 2022-23, hitting 40.8% of his 3s on volume.
An excellent rebounder and ball mover (9.8 boards and 3.4 assists per game, the West Virginia native is a bit unathletic but can put the ball on the floor well for his position. If Boston wanted frontcourt depth with upside, Stephens is an interesting option.
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