NEW YORK – The Boston Celtics owned a draft-high three first round picks – along with the Philadelphia 76ers – and a whopping eight selections total. Surprisingly, general manager Danny Ainge elected to hold steady at the top of the draft.
Most draft pundits expected Boston to deal some of their picks. Instead, they made all of their first-round selections, much to the chagrin of many of the Celtics faithful in Brooklyn who wanted to see the team wheel and deal for an established veteran.
The lone trade made was a swap of No. 31 and 35 (Deyonta Davis and Rade Zagorac) for a 2019 first-round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies. That left the Celtics with six picks total.
First up was Jaylen Brown from California at No. 3, the pick Boston acquired in the 2013 deal that shipped franchise player Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn.
Brown will help solidify the wing, and with Evan Turner a free agent, the Celtics needed reinforcements there. The 19-year-old is one of the most athletic players in the draft, and on a young, budding Boston squad.
“I know Boston has a lot of history, a lot of tradition, and I want to add to that,” Brown said. “I know it's a playoff team, so I love playoff basketball, and I can't wait to win. Boston is a great city full of culture, full of life, education, things that mean a lot to me. I'm super excited. I cannot wait to get there and can't wait to get everything started, can't wait for the season to start, and I'm happy to be a part of the family.”
Ainge went with a surprise pick at No. 16 with the selection of French forward Guerschon Yabusele. He’s a small power forward at 6-foot-8, but excels beyond the arc. Even Yabusele, who was not invited to the green room, was stunned by the selection.
“No, nobody was expecting” me to be selected this high, he said. Yabsuele added that he would be open to playing in Europe a year or two to sharpen his game. “I see them coming close to me, see my name. So I was really surprised to be in here, but I was so happy.”
Yabsuele considers himself an energizer, and the Celtics already have one in Jonas Jerebko, who slid into a starting role in the playoffs.
Ante Zizic was the Celtics’ final first-round choice at No. 23. The 6-11 center from Croatia could be stashed in Europe. Ainge made the trip overseas to scout Zizic and the 19-year-old believes his ability to run the floor is his best asset.
“You know, Croatia is part of Europe where you got always a lot of young guys, talented guys, and we like basketball,” said Zivic, who was one of a record 14 international players selected in the first round. “We practice a lot. Dragan (Bender, the No. 4 overall pick) and I grew up together and from same club.
“We played many years, and he's my best friend in basketball. I am thankful because both of us are selected at a very good spot on the board.”
Heading into free agency, the Celtics boast a nucleus of All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, guard Avery Bradley, forward Jae Crowder, swingman Marcus Smart and big man Kelly Olynyk.
Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson was the pick at No. 45. The Celtics added Providence's Ben Bentil, a 6-9 forward from Ghana, with the No. 51 pick. Seven picks later, they ended their treasure trove of selections with Abdel Nader (forward, Iowa State) at 58.
Of the rookies, only Brown is guaranteed to be a major contributor this season, and he believes he’s up to the task.
“NBA is a faster pace, faster tempo, so it's a lot of transition, and I feel like that's where I excel, that's where I thrive,” said Brown, who shot 43% from the field during his lone college season. “However, I do have to get a lot better. Decision-making has to get a lot better.
“But the NBA is a faster pace, a lot of versatility. Guys that can guard multiple positions are very valuable, and I think I add to that really well.”
