The 2023 NBA draft likely feels as if it were a century away at this stage of the 2022-23 season for most fans of the Boston Celtics, which makes sense seeing as the 2023 calendar year has yet to even arrive.
But the Celtics’ front office (and that of the other 29 teams in the league) have been hard at work keeping tabs on prospective draft targets for this season’s annual offseason capstone event. The Celtics do not have a first-round draft pick to use this season after having dealt it away to build the roster they have for this season, but they do have three second-round picks they have the option of drafting with if they don’t use them as sweeteners for trades.
And Bleacher Report NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman has put together a new mock draft projecting what players Boston might select if they use them — let’s take a look at who the B/R expert has in mind for the Celtics.
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No. 33. (via Rockets): Jalen Wilson (Kansas, SF, Junior)
“Improved shooting has turned Wilson into one of college basketball’s top scorers,” writes Wasserman.
“It’s also made him a more believable NBA prospect, although he previously intrigued scouts with his 6’8″ wing size, physical driving, finishing package, rebounding nose and ability to separate/convert in the mid-range.”
No. 48 (via Blazers): Julian Phillips (Tennessee, SG/SF, Freshman)
“Freshmen have struggled to build draft cases at Tennessee recently, and Phillips is the latest,” suggests the B/R draft analyst.
“It wouldn’t be shocking to see him leave early and test the waters, hoping to use the predraft process to better sell his combination of 6’8″ size and shot-making.”
No. 59: Tyrese Hunter (Texas, PG, Sophomore)
“Hunter possesses the type of finishing bounce to help compensate for his 6’0″ height,” opines Wasserman.
“He’s made encouraging strides this season with his spot-up and pull-up shooting.”
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