The holidays are coming up, reminding us of all those wish-lists we had as children.
I remember asking for a BMX bike (it was a Haro, ocean blue, black spokes ... so sexy). I got said bike, and all the memories that ensued in the following years. I’ve also had Christmases where I got socks, clothes, and other essentials. It sucked opening up these fuzzy items that don’t have lead to that same kind of bike-like euphoria.
You all called, texted and tweeted WEEI pleading Danny Ainge to package picks No. 14, 26 and 30 in a trade for a shiny new toy. Well, in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Celtics got a pair of socks and a nice shirt. And it was the right move.
The nice shirt? Celtics first-round draft pick --- No. 14 overall --- Vanderbilt guard Aaron Nesmith. “[Aaron’s] the best shooter in the draft,” said ESPN College Basketball analyst Jay Bilas. (Nesmith shot over 50 percent from beyond the 3-point line in his final season in college.) "Boston selected 'competitive' and they selected 'winner,' and a clutch-performing one," Bilas said.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker are the clear-cut go to guys right now for the Celtics in terms of shots. But this squad has desperately needed a spot-up shooter or a guy who can run off screens. Nesmith has even shown the ability to hit some step-back threes. He has a 7-foot wingspan and it sounds like he can turn into a capable, if not above-average, defender.
Nesmith can sit in the corner and instantly make an impact on the game for Celtics stars.
“I think I could step right in and make life easier for those guys – Kemba, Jayson, Jaylen, Marcus, etc, just giving those guys more space and more room to operate I think is going to really help elevate their game,” Nesmith told reporters. I think Brad Stevens will really enjoy drawing up plays for Nesmith.
The socks in this analogy? No. 26 overall pick, and Pac-12 player of the year Oregon point guard Payton Pritchard.
I really trust ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. He projected Pritchard to the Celtics at No. 26 in his final mock and here was his analysis ahead of the draft: “One of the most accomplished guards in the draft, Pritchard brings shooting, toughness, maturity and an approach to the game that will get him on the floor early in his career.”
This sounds a lot like what the Celtics were getting in last years No. 33 overall pick Carsen Edwards. Carsen is more of a scorer while Pritchard seems to be more of a facilitator.
As a Hoosier who watched a ton of Edwards at Purdue, I’ve been pretty disappointed. I’m hoping he makes the Year 2 jump. But given the short offseason, there’s not a lot of time to train. Pritchard last played March 7 vs Stanford.
There are so few roster spots available on this team. Pritchard and Edwards will likely battle it out for the final roster spots along with Javonte Green, Tremont Waters and Vincent Poirier. By the way, Edwards is two months younger than Pritchard.
Brad Stevens said Wednesday night Nesmith and Pritchard will "compete for time, but also add value to winning sooner rather than later." He described the new Celtics as "gym rats."
The Celtics did own the 30th overall pick but Trader Danny decided to move out of that spot. The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reports “according to a league source, the Celtics will receive two future second-round picks from the Grizzlies in return for the 30th pick this year.”
Lou was not wrong. I’m just not sure if this year is one to blame Ainge for not pulling the trigger on a draft night trade.
You may be reading this thinking Celtics still need to go all in and get that BMX bike -- a James Harden, Myles Turner, name your big name veteran on the market. That move is now much harder without the flexibility of your three first-round picks and NBA Draft coming to an end.
Sometimes you just have to appreciate getting socks and a nice shirt for Christmas. You just have to hope you’re not trying to return these items a few months from now. Time will tell.