As the 2023 NBA draft draws nearer while the 2023 NBA postseason unfolds, league analysts are increasingly turning their attention to the bog offseason event. And with that attention comes projections for what each of the Association’s 30 teams will do in the draft, a recent mock draft from NBADraft.net among them.
The mock has the Boston Celtics taking 6-foot-5 combo guard Amari Bailey out of UCLA with the 35th pick of the draft, the most likely draft position the Celtics will be selecting from this season with their sole second-rounder not owed to other teams (there is a small chance Boston could end up with the Houston Rockets’ No. 35 pick).
Buy Celtics TicketsBailey is just 19 years old but put up 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 49.5% from the floor, 38.9% from deep, and 69.8% from the stripe in his sole season playing in a competitive PAC-12 conference.
Celtics Wire celebrates the 48 members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with ties to the Boston Celtics franchise. https://t.co/5V9NZqx254
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 25, 2023
Still raw as one might expect at his age and level of experience, the Chicago native has size and defensive intensity that hint at a solid rotation player with upside.
He would not likely be able to contribute right away, meaning such a selection would probably see Bailey stashed abroad or with one of the team’s now three two way slots for future depth development if Boston did go this route in the draft.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
