2021 NBA Mock Draft roundup: Expert predictions for C’s in Round 2 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics don’t have a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but they should still come away with at least one player.
Unless another trade happens, the Celtics are set to pick in the second round at No. 45 overall.
The Celtics have plenty of centers on the roster, with Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Tristan Thompson and Moses Brown giving new head coach Ime Udoka a wide range of different skills and plenty of experience.
Therefore, the two positions the Celtics would be most wise to target in this draft are point guard and the wing. You can never have enough quality wing players, and we’re seeing that play out in the 2021 NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns leading the series 2-0 over the Milwaukee Bucks.
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The Celtics have two of the league’s best young wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but more depth is required. A 3-and-D wing would be preferable.
Point guard is another position of need for the C’s. Trading veteran point guard Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder last month has resulted in Marcus Smart and 2020 first-round pick Payton Pritchard becoming the top point guards on the team’s depth chart. Adding another playmaking guard to the roster wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Which players do experts see the Celtics targeting in the upcoming draft?
Here’s a roundup of expert predictions for the Celtics’ second-round pick from recent 2021 NBA mock drafts.
Jonathan Givony, ESPN: Kessler Edwards, SF, Pepperdine
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Kessler Edwards, SF, Pepperdine
Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win (USA TODAY): Joe Wieskamp, SF, Iowa
Sam Vecenie, The Athletic: Austin Reaves, PG/SG, Oklahoma
NBADraft.net: B.J. Boston, SG, Kentucky
Tankathon: Herbert Jones, SF, Alabama