While the Celtics are enjoying a successful postseason run, other teams in the league view this as a critical time of year for the 2017 NBA Draft. Even though this draft is thought to be weaker than in previous years, there are still a few notable players that have the potential to play at a higher level.
Brad Stevens, the president of Boston, has chosen to strengthen his present roster rather than make a first-round selection in the front office. That should come as no surprise given that the C’s are in a win-now mindset, as seen by their third consecutive trip to the East Finals. However, as of right now, the Celtics own the 54th overall pick in the second round and a first-round pick at No. 30.
There are also a lot of mock drafts released around this time of year. According to an ESPN mock draft, the C’s might select LeBron James’ son Bronny James with the 54th pick. That will therefore create some buzz. However, the C’s will try to strengthen their roster elsewhere.
Finding possible affordable contributors who can be rotation players is crucial because the C’s salary cap numbers will be strict moving ahead. Consider players from this year’s roster like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, for instance. Hauser went undrafted prior to agreeing to a two-way contract with the C’s, while Pritchard was selected late in the first round. Therefore, in order for them to progress and become valuable members of the roster, they will require more productivity along these lines.
Thirty-first overall pick: 23-year-old, 6-foot-7 guard Kevin McCullar
2023–24 stats: the Kansas Jayhawks averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 34.2 minutes per game. ranked third on the All-American squad in 2024 and first on the All-Big Ten team.
The 54th overall selection was the 6-foot-1, 19-year-old guard Bronny James.
2023–24 stats: the USC Trojans averaged 19.4 minutes per game, 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. The son of LeBron James.
Thirty-first overall pick: 21-year-old 6-foot-10 forward DaRon Holmes II
2023–24 stats: the Dayton Flyers averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 32.4 minutes per game. two-time first-team All-Atlantic 10 (2023–24), consensus second-team All-American (2024), and co-Player of the Year (2024) for the Atlantic 10.
Nikola Djurisic, a 20-year-old 6-foot-8 guard, was selected 54th overall.
2023–24 stats: according to ProBallers, Mega Basket of the ABA League averaged 14.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.
Thirty-first overall pick: 21-year-old 6-foot-7 winger Jaylon Tyson
2023–24 stats: the California Golden Bears averaged 34.4 minutes per game, 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. designated as the Pac 12 first team in 2024.
Pelle Larsson, a 23-year-old 6-foot-6 guard, was selected 54th overall.
2023–24 figures for the Arizona Wildcats: 30.0 minutes per game, 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. designated as the Pac 12 second team in 2024.
Jaylon Tyson was selected 30th overall (see above).
23-year-old, 6-foot-3 guard Tristen Newton was selected 54th overall.
2023–24 stats: the UConn Huskies averaged 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 33.2 minutes per game. Consensus 2023–24 national champion and first-team All-American (2024).
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