With the 2023 NBA draft lottery finally having come and gone, the Boston Celtics know where it is that they will be selecting with their sole pick of the 2023 NBA draft, a second round pick that came to them by way of the Portland Trail Blazers thanks to a complicated set of pick protections related to moves made in the 2022 offseason.
That pick will likely be used for a player able to contribute in the deep rotation immediately or to fill the third two way slot opened up for all 30 teams in the league in the new collective bargaining agreement adopted by the Association recently.
And with the lottery being set comes a fresh set of projections of who Boston and other teams might select — let’s take a look at what the folks at HoopsHype believe the Celtics might elect to use that No. 35 overall pick on using their aggregate mock draft and known workouts.
Marcus Sasser, Houston
Mar 24, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) dribbles the ball against Miami (Fl) Hurricanes guard Wooga Poplar (55) during the second half of an NCAA tournament Midwest Regional semifinal at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 195
Position: Point guard
Strengths: 3-point shot, defense
Weaknesses: Age, rebounding
James Nnaji, Barcelona
Barcelona’s Lituanian headcoach Sarunas Jasikevicius (L) talks to Barcelona’s Nigerian pivot James Nnaji during the Euroleague Basketball match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at the WiZink centre in Madrid, on January 26, 2023. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Age: 18
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 225
Position: Center
Strengths: Rim protection
Weaknesses: Mediocre rebounder, no jumper of note
Julian Strawther, Gonzaga
Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) reacts after making a game-winning 3-point basket against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 208
Position: Shooting guard
Strengths: 3-point shot, rebounding
Weaknesses: Defense, passing
Amari Bailey, UCLA
Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Amari Bailey (5) shoots a 3-point basket against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Hunter Sallis (5) to take the league late in the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 19
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 190
Position: Shooting guard
Strengths: Defense, age
Weaknesses: Scoring, turnovers
Noah Clowney, Alabama
Mar 18, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Hakim Hart (13) drives against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Noah Clowney (15) during the first half at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 18
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210
Position: Center
Strengths: Rebounding, defense
Weaknesses: Overall offensive efficiency
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire