How first-round pick Baylor Scheierman fits with the Celtics
"Having an older guy that knows how to play I think, fits very well for Boston," Jay Bilas said.
Brad Stevens used a first-round pick for the first time in his role as Celtics president of basketball operations.
With the No. 30 overall pick, the Stevens took a player from the Midwest in Baylor Scheierman, a Nebraska native who played the final two seasons of his college career at Creighton.
Stevens said during his pre-draft press conference that any player selected in this draft will likely have a tough time cracking the Celtics’ rotation next year, given how talented and deep the defending champions are.
“Specifically to this year, we got a lot of guys back,” Stevens said. “It’ll be hard for any draft pick to crack our rotation when healthy. And so, we’ll think about how we can best continue to invest in our young players and their development and growth.
“If we’re able to continue to move forward with this group, these guys are going to be on the court. This’ll be a good opportunity to bring in somebody who can help us down the road.”
Scheierman, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter, has drawn comparisons to Boston’s Sam Hauser. Hauser has a 1-year team-option left on his contract. If the Celtics decline the option, Hauser becomes a restricted free agent this year. If they pick up the option, Hauser becomes an unrestricted free agent next year.
With the Scheierman pick, the Celtics get a sharpshooter on a rookie deal.
“Baylor Scheierman is a big lefty, and is a big lefty and a guard that is a deep-range shooter,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said. “Shot just under 39 percent for the season, automatic from the free-throw line and an outstanding rebounder, averaged 19 points per game, nine rebounds per game, and just about four assists per game.”
“When he grabs the rebound, he can take it and run,” Bilas added. “And he’s an excellent passer. He shoots 48 percent unguarded from the 3-point line and a career 39 percent 3-point shooter. His defensive rebounding – he just knows how to play … having an older guy that knows how to play I think, fits very well for Boston.”
The concerns with his game mostly come on the defensive end. He has solid size for a wing, and shooting is a skill that generally translates to the next level, but there are questions about whether he will be able to guard effectively in the NBA.
“His size allows him to profile as an above-average rebounder for a guard, though he’s not on a Josh Hart level,” his NBA.com draft profile reads. “He hasn’t been able to develop too much on the defensive end of the court, and since he’s not an elite athlete, he could have problems defending quick guards and bigger players. However, he’s an excellent shooter with a deep offensive skill set, and that should be enough to carve him a role in today’s NBA.”
The Celtics return Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Hauser, Svi Mykhaliuk, and Jordan Walsh on the wings. Oshae Brissett, who averaged 11.5 minutes per game, is a free agent.
Hauser (14.9 minutes per game) was the Celtics’ only back up wing to play more than six minutes per game during the postseason. But, there are more opportunities to spread minutes around during the regular-season when rotations are looser and there’s a greater appetite to rest stars.
Scheirman’s skill-set fits into what the Celtics like to do offensively. He can space the floor and knock down threes. The rest of his game will determine whether or not he can grab some bench minutes this upcoming season or down the road.
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