NBA analysts and fans alike are fixated on the soon-to-come 2023 NBA trade deadline, as they ought to be even in the case of the Boston Celtics, who have as good of a case as any team to stand pat on Feb. 9 given their play so far this season has put them in pole position to win it all.
But draft experts are grinding away in their efforts to project what all 30 teams in the league will do with their respective draft assets, and the Celtics are no exception. To such an end, Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman has put together a mock for the 2023 NBA draft that reflects the changes in the standings just ahead of the trade deadline.
Let’s take a look at who he sees in green and white this summer via the trio of second round picks Boston has at their disposal in this draft.
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No. 41 - (via Blazers): Coleman Hawkins (Illinois, forward)
“The potential combination of shooting, passing, and defensive versatility will keep interest alive in Hawkins, even if he struggles to score and his shot remains inconsistent,” offers Wasserman.
His shot from deep is bad (29.5%), but his ability to be a Swiss army knife-type of player with size at 6-foot-10 has him poised to be another worthwhile developmental candidate for the Celtics, should they elect to take him.
No. 52 - (via Heat): Jaylen Clark (UCLA, forward)
“Clark’s defensive instincts are the draw, though he’s demonstrated enough pick-and-roll play, passing, and capable shot-making to fill a versatility specialist role,” offers the B/R analyst.
His 3-point shot leaves plenty to be desired at just 32.7%, but as we have profiled Clark before, his two-way potential more than makes the case with his defense already looking good enough to get him on the floor. Whether he can stay there depends on how the rest of his game adapts to the NBA.
No. 60 - (Own) Mike Miles (TCU, guard)
“From 42.7% inside the arc last year to 63.1% this season, Miles’ finishing execution has clicked, a noteworthy development for a creative scorer and playmaking threat whose jump shot seems better than the numbers suggest,” writes Wasserman.
A bit undersized at 6-foot-2, Miles can play either guard spot and has a killer instinct that can’t always keep up with his skill level. But at just age 20, Miles would be worth sending to Maine if Boston sees the same potential we do.
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