With the championship parade within the rear view mirror, the Boston Celtics have begun to look forward to the 2024-25 season and the beginning of their marketing campaign to repeat as NBA champions. That journey kicked off on Wednesday night time on the Barclay’s Heart in Brooklyn, because the Celtics used the thirtieth and ultimate choose within the first spherical of the NBA Draft to pick out Creighton ahead Baylor Scheierman.
A 6-foot-7, 205 pound ahead, Scheierman performed 5 years in faculty basketball, beginning his newbie profession with South Dakota State for 3 seasons earlier than transferring to Creighton for his ultimate two. In his ultimate season with the Bluejays, Scheierman averaged 18.5 factors on 45% taking pictures from the sphere, connecting on 38% of his three-point makes an attempt on over eight makes an attempt per sport. He’s one of many oldest prospects on this 12 months’s draft, turning 24 in September.
The Celtics don’t precisely current quite a lot of alternative for younger gamers at this time second. Stevens has been candid about an anticipated lack of main adjustments for the staff this offseason. The Celtics can be operating it again with their whole main rotation from the championship season — and that’s a tough atmosphere for a rookie to contribute.
“We’ve acquired quite a lot of guys again,” stated Stevens in a press convention this week. “Will probably be onerous for any draft choose to crack our rotation when wholesome.”
It’s not large information, however Brad Stevens signaled that nobody drafted this week is more likely to get minutes subsequent 12 months:
“Will probably be onerous for any draft choose to crack our rotation when wholesome.” pic.twitter.com/CwQ8iZ5Smt
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 25, 2024
Nonetheless, with the brand new restrictions positioned upon groups above the second tax apron beneath the brand new collective cut price settlement (because the Celtics can be), figuring out and growing reasonably priced younger expertise within the NBA Draft goes to show extra essential than ever. Scheierman is an skilled participant with a tangible talent — three-point taking pictures — and represents an affordable swing for the Celtics on the finish of the primary spherical.
Below the NBA’s new two-day draft format, the Celtics will return to the board tomorrow night time for his or her second-round choice. Barring a commerce, they’re lined as much as make choose #54 on Thursday night.