The 2020 NBA Draft is definitely going to be one to remember. Although it will mostly be known as one that was not the most eye-opening, it could very well be known for all the uncertainty surrounding it since the Lottery drawing. With all the uneasiness surrounding last night, it is almost unbelievable that the Celtics hit their mark on draft night.
The draft is a stressful time for NBA general managers. There is no set guideline for what to do on draft night and teams don’t really know what they are getting until their pick gets time in the league. Meanwhile, fans instantly take turns praising or bashing their team’s pick.
With that being said it is time to grade the Celtics’ draft transactions. While we do not know how every player will turn out, we can predict what they could be. Let’s get to the Celtics draft night grades.
Aaron Nesmith- SF, Vanderbilt
Aaron Nesmith is a 6’6″ forward from Charleston, South Carolina. He will be a great fit in the rotation. Nesmith is someone that can be plugged right into the lineup and contribute instantly. He can shoot consistently well inside the arc and according to his scouting report, he is a great shooter off the catch and can shoot off of a screen. In fact, many are calling him the best shooter in the draft. He had a shorter season than most, a foot injury ended his season after 14 games. Along with his strong offensive game, Nesmith has active hands while defending. He averaged 1.4 steals per game and just under a block per game.
Nesmith only averaged 0.9 assists per game so that’s something he can look to improve on in Boston. If his shot can translate to the NBA level and he can take his passing to another level he will be in the league a very long time. I like this pick he has a smaller sample size than what I would like to see but his numbers are promising.
Ultimately the Celtics were not able to trade up which was their preferred outcome but Nesmith is a solid selection. He fills a need that was exposed in the playoffs with his scoring. A true student of the game I can’t wait to see what Aaron will become in Boston. Celtics fans will be welcoming Nesmith with open arms.
AARON NESMITH IS A CELTIC LFG!!!!!
— Dante Turo (@DanteOnDeck) November 19, 2020
Grade: B+
Payton Pritchard- PG, Oregon
Pritchard is a 6’2″ point guard who isn’t the most athletic player but what he lacks in athleticism he makes up for in his other skill sets. He can shoot from deep, he has good court vision and he’s tough. Not one to shy away from contact, Pritchard can drive and finish at the rim. He will make an excellent addition to Boston’s second unit. He averaged career-highs in points (20.5), assists (5.5), and rebounds (4.3). Additionally, he set personal bests in shooting percentage (46.8) and 3-point percentage (41.5).
Pritchard’s smaller size means he will have some trouble defending larger guards. It’s hard to see a path where he’s seen as more than just a role player. Boston is getting an “older” rookie but at 22, Pritchard can get into the lineup and put up some numbers sooner rather than later. This pick could be questionable but at 26 how much can be asked of him? Being the 26th pick will put very little pressure on him because he doesn’t need to be a star.
With the names that were left on the board at 26, this pick sent a shock through the Celtics nation. However, I think that Pritchard could benefit a lot in Boston’s system whether it be with the Celtics or with the Red Claws in Maine but the opportunity is there for him to take.
Grade: C+
Trade: Boston Sends #30 to Memphis for a Future Pick
Coming into the draft everyone knew Boston did not want to make all of their picks. There is no spot in the lineup for more rookies. Danny Ainge did not have the leverage he usually does in trade talks. There was no choice but to make a trade like this. This move could very well be one we look at as a really good one. The next coming draft classes are all good classes. Although the Grizzlies will be a playoff team sometime soon, the classes are deep enough so that it doesn’t matter. As of right now, we don’t know where the pick is so it’s unclear where the grade stands at this point.
Grade: C; Could be a better grade depending on the pick.
This draft filled me with so much anxiety I almost didn’t watch. The lack of moves made around the league shows how much uncertainty there is in this draft class. In my opinion, since all of the prospects fluctuated up and down the draft board, the best player out of this draft was not a top 10 pick.
Overall Grade
The Celtics were able to address some of their needs on draft night but it remains unclear how they will address their big depth which is now the top priority. I truly believe that the Celtics hit their mark on draft night. Boston could have a second unit of all first-round picks coming off the bench this season.
Grade: B-
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