With March Madness tipping off this week, NBA draft talks are heating up. The Boston Celtics will have a late first-round pick and an early second-round pick via the Washington Wizards. Oftentimes, elite older college players are within this range since many have less perceived upside. However, these prospects are typically polished and NBA-ready, making them perfect for win-now teams like the Celtics. Let’s take a look at five potential draft targets for the Celtics in March Madness.
5 Potential Celtics’ Draft Targets in March Madness
Honorable mentions: Kam Jones, Nique Clifford, Walter Clayton Jr, Miles Byrd, and JT Toppin
Danny Wolf: Michigan
Danny Wolf is a versatile offensive center; he can handle the ball, playmake, and shoot from beyond the arc. This well-rounded skill set makes Wolf an intriguing prospect and a natural fit in the Celtics system; the 7-footer averages 13.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. With Al Horford possibly retiring, Luke Kornet as a free agent, and Kristaps Porziņģis‘ injury history, adding center depth could be a priority for the Celtics. While there are some concerns about his defense, Wolf’s unique offensive game gives him plenty of upside and makes him worth looking at for the Celtics. As a rookie, Wolf could slide into the Celtics rotation and make an immediate impact; he has many similarities to current Warriors’ rookie Quinten Post.
Alex Karaban: UConn
As a two-time national champion, Alex Karaban is a proven winner. Karaban’s ability to fit in with stacked rosters makes him an intriguing fit with the Celtics. Additionally, Karaban is a Massachusetts native, and he worked out with the Celtics before withdrawing from the draft last year. The 6-foot-8 wing averages 14.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 43.9/35.7/83.9 shooting splits this season. Overall, Karaban’s three-point shooting, high-IQ play, and rebounding make him an ideal fit for the Celtics, especially if they want to upgrade their wing depth.
Johni Broome: Auburn
Johni Broome has been one of the best players in college basketball this season. The SEC Player of the Year posted averages of 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks. Broome led Auburn to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Despite being one of the best players in the nation this year, Broome isn’t projected highly in the draft as he is 22. Nevertheless, his collegiate dominance and versatile skill set could make him a draft-day steal. There are countless examples of top college players falling in the draft and becoming productive NBA players. Broome is an elite interior scorer and rebounder at 6-foot-10 he can play either the four or the five. This skill set would allow the Celtics to play Broome in both double big and small ball lineups. Ultimately, Broome’s versatile skill set and ability to play quality minutes immediately make him a top prospect for the Celtics.
Labaron Philon: Alabama
Labaron Philon is the only underclassman on the list. The freshman guard has great positional size at 6-foot-4 and is one of the better perimeter defenders in this draft class. Philon’s defensive prowess could set up him as a possible Jrue Holiday successor. He is also a high-level playmaker, finisher, and rebounder. Philon has been a crucial piece on a second-seeded Alabama squad, averaging 10.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals this season. While he isn’t a plug-and-play like other players on this list, Philon is an exciting developmental prospect for the Celtics.
Ryan Kalkbrenner: Creighton
Ryan Kalkbrenner has had a decorated five-year college career at Creighton. He has won four Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards and helped lead Creighton to five straight tournament appearances. The 7-footer is an elite shot blocker and rim protector. Kalkbrenner averages 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.7 blocks while shooting a conference-best 65.5 percent from the field. Impressively, Kalkbrenner has led the Big East in field goal percentage for the last four seasons. Kalkbrenner’s age (23) hurts his draft stock; however, as a rim protector and lob threat, he could play a vital role for the Celtics. Furthermore, the Celtics drafted Kalkbrenner’s teammate Baylor Scheierman last year in the first round; having these two develop together is an exciting possibility. If the Celtics want to upgrade their center depth, Kalkbrenner should be considered, we’ve seen this type of center be successful in Boston’s system, think Luke Kornet.
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