Reviewing the Boston Celtics 2019 Draft

The 2019 NBA draft was a very important draft for the Boston Celtics. The team seemed at a
breaking point with Kyrie Irving seemingly already gone and Al Horford just opting out of his
contract and into free agency. With three first round draft picks, the Celtics had the ability to
signal a rebuild or try to make a move with their draft picks for a more established star or at least
more established player. None of the Celtics actual picks were going to bring back a superstar
whether they were offered together or separately. In the end, the Celtics made five picks on
draft night and came away with some promising potential role players.
Here is a breakdown of the picks:

ROUND 1
No. 14: Romeo Langford, G, Indiana, 6-6, 215 pounds.
Langford was a highly regarded high school player in the state of Indiana. He was
ranked in the top 10 of many recruiting lists and was considered a five star recruit when
he chose to stay in his home state and play at Indiana University. He was a prolific
scorer for the Hoosiers as he averaged 16.5 points per game for the Hoosiers as their
primary scoring threat. Langford is 6’6” with a 6’11” wingspan. He is considered to have
the athleticism and scoring instincts to succeed in the NBA. Those are the positives.
The negatives are that he is shooting guard who struggled with his 3-point shooting
(27.2%) last year although some of this has been attributed to a thumb injury on his
shooting hand that he continually played through during his lone college season. This
wouldn’t be too worrisome if it wasn’t for the fact that the Celtics have already been
tinkering with his shooting motion. The other worry is that although Langford seemingly
has the length and athleticism to become a plus defender, he didn’t really show this
ability in college. Maybe now that he isn’t the number one offensive threat his defensive
intensity will change. Overall, the Celtics selected a player with a high ceiling who was
thought of extremely highly when he was in high school. They are looking for him to
become a long-term star or at least trade bait for a more established star.
No. 20: Celtics select Matisse Thybulle, G, Washington, 6-5, 195, but trade him to the
76ers for pick Nos. 24 and 33.
Thybulle was a player many people felt the Celtics would actually draft and keep for
themselves. He is considered an already NBA ready defender with a developing
offensive game. Thybulle’s defensive intensity reminded many people of Marcus Smart
and they thought he would be a good fit for a team that had seemed to lose its
defensive identity the previous season. I am not sure why the Celtics were not
completely interested, but perhaps after taking Langford who has a similar body type,
the team did not want to go too heavy on similar wings even though their current games
lean to the opposite of each other.
No. 22: Grant Williams, F, Tennessee, 6-7, 236
Grant Williams was a two time SEC player of the year and everyone agrees that he has
a high basketball IQ. Williams was one of if not the strongest player in this year’s draft
but there are questions about his height and lack of athleticism when it comes to playing
at the NBA level. He doesn’t play much taller than his listed height and he may find that
he cannot overpower opposing players the way he did in college. He has been
compared to Boris Diaw as a player and if he developed into this type of player, I think
the Celtics will be happy. He is also very mature for his age and I believe this also
appealed to Boston. If he can develop a long range jump shot and the Celtics are able
to mask his athletic deficiencies on defense, then this could be a really valuable player
in the Boston rotation.
No. 24: Celtics select Ty Jerome, G, Virginia, 6-5, 195, but will trade him to Phoenix
along with C Aron Baynes for the Milwaukee Bucks' 2020 first-round pick.
This trade was a salary dump for the Celtics and it should have been the first indication
of the potential of the Boston Celtics and Kemba Walker union. Jerome was projected
as a steady but unspectacular NBA point guard and by passing on him at this point, this
was a hint that the Celtics had their sights set on something bigger. By moving Aron
Baynes, the Celtics opened the cap space to be able to sign Walker to a maximum
contract. I’m sure they would have preferred to keep Baynes, but getting Walker was an
important signing not just for the player but for the team to steady their standing in the
league after two high profile defections.

ROUND 2
No. 33: Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue, 6-1, 201
Edwards was a good unexpected pick, but he has already shown potential as a scorer
in the summer league and he may become a specialist off of the bench for the Celtics.
He is undersized, but if the manage matchups, Edwards could have the potential to go
off on any given night. He seems to have unlimited range, and one thing I noticed is he
has a quick release and an ability to work defenders so he can get his shot off when he
wants to.
No. 51: Tremont Waters, G, LSU, 5-11, 175
Waters was one of my favorite picks of the night because he came with little fanfare
although he played for a team in a power basketball conference. Waters shined for LSU
and was an all SEC player. He showed a good offensive game in college and he also
led the SEC in steals last season. He is a more complete point guard than Carsen
Edwards but he is even smaller in stature. He also showed to be a very competent
player in summer league and was rewarded with a two-way contract.