2024 NBA Draft (Part I - Wed 6/26)

5 Draft Picks from Hardwood Houdini for the Celtics in Round I

1. Juan Nunez

The Celtics have a ton of scoring and added big-man depth before the trade deadline. Boston should be looking for pieces they can plug in if things are not going their way. Having a ball-handler and creator capable of running any unit would be a plus as the Cs hope to be title contenders for years to come.

Nunez is another prospect with a wide range. The 19-year-old from Madrid is in his fourth season of professional basketball. He played in the 2023 FIBA World Cup for Spain and continues to improve. Nunez is averaging 10.7 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 24.0 minutes per game for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. He can run an offense and get his team open looks.

There are questions about the 6’3 guard’s defense. He is not the biggest option and lacks elite athletic ability. Nunez has a high basketball IQ, but is that enough? Boston has two of the best defensive guards in the world, so covering for the rookie should be a non-issue.

The Boston Celtics want to add more talent in the 2024 NBA Draft. They have three picks and need to make them to keep their spending in check. The Celtics hope to add multiple key rotation pieces, so stay tuned to see who the franchise selects in June.

2. D.J. Wagner

Wagner entered the season as a potential lottery selection, but his stock has faded to the fringes of the first round. The 6’3 guard has started 24 of 25 games this season but is averaging just 26.6 minutes per game. Credit Kentucky’s depth for that, but Wagner has failed to live up to the hype in multiple areas.

The 18-year-old is averaging 10.6 points, 3.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals each night while shooting 42.0 percent from the field and 30.4 percent on his 3-point tries. Many expected him to score more and his jumper must improve if Wagner is going to play significant nightly minutes in the NBA.

Wagner came out of high school ranked sixth in his class. He was known as a bucket-getter and would not be the first Kentucky guard to blossom in the NBA. Tyrese Maxey was a projected top pick who slipped into the 20s before becoming an All-Star in year four. Wagner could be the next Wildcat on this list. He has the potential but must improve and put everything together.

The Boston Celtics need guard depth and could use a trusted scorer coming off their bench. D.J. Wagner would fill that role in time and should be available in the late first round.

3. Trey Alexander

The Celtics may have a decision coming in the backcourt. Jrue Holiday has a player option for the 2024-25 season and will be searching for a long-term deal. Derrick White becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 and wants a raise. Can Boston afford to keep both next to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis? If they do, the Celtics still need depth behind their guard duo.

Alexander has been up-and-down during his third season at Creighton. For the year, he is averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 36.7 minutes per game. The 6’4 guard is shooting a career-high 45.8 percent from the field, but his jumper has been inconsistent. Alexander made 41.0 percent of his 3-pointers last season but is down to 32.3 percent this year. His inconsistency has his draft stock all over the map.

There is plenty to get excited about. Trey Alexander can guard on the ball, rebound, make plays, and get buckets. The 20-year-old has room to grow and must improve. His jumper should be a focus along with continuing to evolve as a playmaker.

The Boston Celtics may trade Payton Pritchard in hopes of upgrading their roster. Trey Alexander is more of a combo guard but could be a strong fit as the franchise has multiple creators on their roster.

4. Hunter Sallis

Sallis is climbing up boards but has a wide draft range after struggling for two seasons at Gonzaga before transferring to Wake Forest. The 6’5 wing averaged just 15.3 minutes per game before this year. Now, he is playing 35.0 minutes each night and making a massive impact for the Demon Deacons.

Sallis averages 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steal while shooting over 50 percent from the field. His biggest leap is making 2.3 3-pointers per game and shooting 42.3 percent from long range. Sallis took less than one triple each night at Gonzaga and made just 25.8 percent of his attempts. The 20-year-old must prove his shooting improvement is real. If some teams believe he can shoot 40-plus percent in the NBA, he will be a first-round selection.

Sallis was a top 15 player in his class coming out of high school. The potential is certainly there for him to be an impactful bucket-getter in the NBA. He may be best suited for a sixth-man role, but Sallis is 6’5. The wing may turn into a starter and impactful rotation piece for a decade-plus.

The Boston Celtics would love to add a combo guard with potential in the 2024 NBA Draft. Hunter Sallis could give them an elite floor spacer off the bench as they continue to chase championships.

5. Kyshawn George

George is quickly climbing draft boards as his play continues to improve. The University of Miami freshman’s numbers might not leap off the screen, but he is shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range and displaying a versatile skill set. George has some playmaking and ball-handling ability with defensive upside.

Every team wants multiple 6’8 wings who can space the floor, handle the ball, and make plays. The 20-year-old checks those boxes and has far from reached his ceiling. He is the son of a college basketball player, and George could be a first-round pick in June if he keeps his name in the draft.

The Boston Celtics have been searching for a wing to back up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. If Kyshawn George is available, he will be difficult to pass up for his upside as a difference-maker alone.

What's wrong w/ Edey?

Unless we move up ... we have too many picks and no room for free agents.

This is the time for Brad to use his picks cuz he can't trade them unless using a player from 9-15 none of who has much value to acquire any decent vet.

It's time to find the next Lively ...