Celtics Bolster Roster With Incoming Draftees

The Boston Celtics made two selections in June’s 2024 NBA Draft. With the 30th pick in the first round Boston selected Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman, a 5th year forward. In the second round, the Celtics took Anton Watson, a big man out of Gonzaga. Here's everything you need to know about Boston's two rookies.

First Round, Pick 30 - Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

Baylor Scheierman is about as NBA-ready as a prospect the Celtics could have hoped for with the final selection of the first round. Scheierman started 133 of his 162 college games across five seasons played for San Diego State University and Creighton.

Scheierman was a first-team All-Big East selection this past season, averaging 18.5 points and 9 rebounds per game. In addition to leading Creighton in scoring, he also led the Big East in three-pointers made and rebounds. Scheierman became the first men's player in Division I history to record 2,000+ points, 1000+ rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers in a collegiate career.

Standing at 6’6” and 205 pounds, he is yet lengthy another wing that Celtics general manager Brad Stevens has added to the roster. Stevens drafted Arkansas’ Jordan Walsh last year in the second round with pick 38.

Scheierman brings two elite skills to the table: his three-point shooting and rebounding. He knocked down 39 percent of his threes on 5.6 attempts per game during his college career. With the Celtics offense being predicated on spacing, Scheierman has a path towards playing time in the future. Unless extended, Boston’s best sharpshooter Sam Hauser will be a free agent next summer. Scheierman would be the cheaper alternative in that role if he proves his worth.

At least one wing spot could be up in the air for the Celtics when they enter training camp in the fall. Forward Oshae Brisset opted out of his player-option deal with the Celtics on June 23rd to become a free agent. Minutes on the wing could be available during the regular season if he does not return for the title defense.

Second Round, 54th Pick - Anton Watson, Gonzaga

The Celtics selected 6'8" big man Anton Watson with the 54th overall pick. During his final season at Gonzaga, he averaged 14.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, shooting 58% from the field. Watson's strengths in college were his defense and rebounding, and also spacing the floor on offense with his three-point shooting.

Al Horford was one of the first current Celtics that Anton Watson talked about upon getting drafted to Boston. Watson sees Horford as a player who could help him with his game as he looks to break into the NBA.

“Shooting is obviously a big piece. Kind of like that Al Horford role. He’s a great shooter. I think learning from him is going to be huge for me and actually all the veterans on this team,” Watson said. “Shooting is going to be huge and just my defense, using that to my strengths and coming out and guarding every single game. That’s going to be big for me."

Watson has the size and skills that intrigue Celtics GM Brad Stevens. It is easy to see why Stevens sees value in Watson in as a late-second-round pick. He has the tools necessary, and now he gets to be a part of this Celtics championship team and try to pick up some habits from his new teammates. Stevens has also commented on the three-point shooting potential of Watson.

“I want him to come in here with the mindset that he’s gonna let it fly like he’s never let it fly before,” Stevens said during the Celtics post-draft press conference. “I think he’s a better shooter than he sometimes thinks he is.”

Watson started 94 of his 151 games at Gonzaga spanning his five-year career there. He will surely get plenty more reps this season playing for Boston's G-League affiliate Maine Celtics, either for the whole year or on a two-way contract. Current Celtics on the roster like Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and Payton Pritchard all started on similar paths in Maine on their way to playing time.

Both Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson will get their first chance to don Celtic green in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, taking place from July 12th through the 22nd.

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