Five Celtics’ draft options to watch during March Madness

We’ve reached the point in the year where college basketball grabs the spotlight for a bit as the NBA gears up for what should be another exciting postseason. The Celtics’ roster is set for their title defense, but the scouting department will undoubtedly have an eye on the NCAA tournament, searching for players worthy of donning the green and white.

Brad Stevens can identify talent at an extremely high level, and he’s been just about flawless in building around his stars. The draft marks the one area where he has yet to truly leave his mark. Since taking over as the President of Basketball Operations, Stevens has selected the following players: Juhann Begarin, JD Davison, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Anton Watson.

Watson was waived in his rookie year, and Begarin’s chances to ever make his way to Boston feel slim. Davison has become a star for Maine, but his production during limited call-ups to the big club makes it feel like a longshot for him to stick with the team. Walsh and Scheierman have both shown encouraging flashes, but they’ll need to continue building on that to establish themselves as rotation pieces.

A majority of Stevens’ selections have been in the mid to late second round, with Scheierman being the highest pick of the bunch going 30th in 2024. He’s not whiffing on lottery picks, but it’ll become increasingly important to replenish the rotation with young, cost-controlled talent, and this draft gives him a chance to do just that.

With March Madness ready to commence, here are five players to watch that Boston could consider when they’re on the clock in June.

Danny Wolf (Michigan, PF/C)

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Danny Wolf has an extremely interesting skillset, and could be uniquely valuable in the right situation. It’s rare to find a 7-footer capable of operating as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, who can also sling cross court passes, and knock down jumpers off the dribble.

Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics like bigs that can make quick decisions and pass on the move. It’s not hard to see Wolf being utilized in dribble handoff scenarios where he can keep it, or set a screen and roll into open space. Being comfortable as a decision-maker in that short roll area would make him a great option when defenses elect to trap Jayson Tatum. He’s also spent this season playing next to 7’1” Vladislav Goldin, so it wouldn’t be an issue if Mazzulla wanted to deploy him in double big lineups.

It’s unlikely that Wolf becomes a high-level defender in the NBA, but he’s playable on that end, and the offensive skill could be enough to earn him minutes quickly.

Where to watch: Thursday, March 20 (5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego, 10 p.m. | TBS

Isaiah Evans (Duke, Wing)

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The biggest selling point for Isaiah Evans is that he’s a human flamethrower from deep.

As a freshman, he’s knocking down 44% of his threes. Evans has been primarily cast as an off-ball weapon for this talented Duke team, and he has consistently provided them with a spark off the bench.

With limited reps as an on-ball creator, he’s filling a role that may not elevate his draft stock, but it’s a great look at what a team like the Celtics would need from him. It’s no secret that Boston is the most prolific 3-point shooting team in the league, so it’s easy to imagine them adding another marksman to the mix.

Where to watch: Friday, March 21 (1) Duke vs. (16) Mount St. Mary’s/American, 2:50 p.m. | CBS

Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton, C)

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With Luke Kornet’s free agency looming, Ryan Kalkbrenner could slide right in to fill his (enormous) shoes.

Age and upside are the biggest drawbacks with Kalkbrenner. He’ll be nearly 23 and ¹⁄₂ on draft day, and is currently finishing up his 5th season at Creighton. This shouldn’t be ignored, but it’s a bit less meaningful for a contending team like Boston that may need a more ready-to-play prospect.

Kalkbrenner thrives in the areas the generally matter most for a backup big. He’s a fantastic rim protector, screens well, finishes on the roll, and is exceptionally tall. He can step out and knock down the occasional three, but based on how Kornet’s time with the Celtics has gone, they’d probably have him stick to the basics.

Boston has invested time and resources for the development of Kornet and Queta, and with the value they place on size, Kalkbrenner feels like the type of big Stevens would target.

Where to watch: Thursday, March 20 (8) Louisville vs. (9) Creighton, 12:15 p.m. | CBS

Nique Clifford (Colorado State, Wing)

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Nique Clifford is another super senior, and similar to Kalkbrenner, he’ll be 23 on the day of the draft. This limits his perceived ceiling, but the player Clifford is today looks like an excellent bet to impact winning in the NBA.

Clifford is an explosive athlete with the versatility to play in Boston’s switch-heavy defensive system. He’s also displayed the ability to operate effectively both on and off the ball, averaging 19 points per game while knocking down 40% of his threes. The Celtics don’t have a ton of available reps for self-creation, but Clifford has the tools to add value without needing to be featured as a scorer.

At this time, Clifford looks like a more well-rounded wing prospect then either Walsh or Scheierman, considering the lack of a major hole in his game.

Where to watch: Friday, March 21 (5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State, 2 p.m. | TBS

Will Riley (Illinois, SF)

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Will Riley is the youngest prospect on this list at just 19 years old. He’d be a less NBA-ready choice, but at 6’8 he could be an interesting upside play.

Wings at his size that can dribble pass and shoot are sought after, and while the shooting is streaky, Riley has shown encouraging signs of three-level scoring ability. If Boston is willing to be patient with his development, they could add another shot-creating wing to pick up some of the scoring load from the Jays over the next few years.

With the Celtics positioned as a contender for the foreseeable future, It’s possible they’d rather select someone that can contribute right away. Riley will need more time to fill out his frame, and probably a few trips to Maine, but he could be a significant injection of skill and youth.

Where to watch: Friday, March 21 (6) Illinois vs. (11) Xavier/Texas, 9:45 p.m. | TNT

Barring something unforeseen, Boston is set to finish with the 3rd best record in the league, and pick #28 in the draft. They also own the Washington Wizards 2nd round pick, which is currently #32. This gives them two shots at finding an impact player, or a compelling trade package if they want to move up a few spots.

There are plenty of other names to look out for as the chaos of March Madness begins, but these five fill a need and/or have traits that the Celtics look for. This group also projects to be available around the time Boston is on the clock. Otherwise, I would’ve listed Cooper Flagg five times and called it a day.