doesn’t project to be a multi-talented offensive weapon. Unfortunately, the Celtics would need to trade into the mid-to-late-teens if they wanted to ensure Howard would be available for selection, and that doesn’t project like a realistic move Brad Stevens would make. Personally, Howard is my draft crush in terms of who would slot into the Celtics rotation and fill a genuine position of need while offering upside on a cost-controlled contract. If Howard can bring that level of hustle to the NBA, he will quickly endear himself to his teammates and the coaching staff alike.įinally, in terms of guarding isolation plays and/or dealing with catch-and-shoot threats, Howard’s quick hip movements, ability to stop on a dime, change directions, and utilize his length all project to give him a platform where he can develop into a potential two-way wing during his career. While it’s clear Howard was taken out of the play by the screen (which could have been due to poor communication or a failure to react), he still manages to get back into the action to force a miss. However, you can look at screen navigation, such as the above play, where Howard recovers after being hit with a wedge screen. Of course, help defense will also be a requirement, but that will be based upon team principles, which makes it hard to predict how he will handle those responsibilities at the next level. Howard will likely have two primary roles on defense next season - navigating screens that have been set for off-ball shooters and guarding in isolation. Apart from a slight hitch just before releasing the ball, Howard has smooth shooting mechanics with a nice release point. In his 32 games in Ann Arbor playing for his dad, Howard saw 29.4% of his offense come via catch-and-shoot opportunities, averaging 1.14 points per 100 possessions. Fortunately, Howard’s primary play type this past season was that of a spot-up shooter. If the Celtics truly wanted a wing to play second (third?) fiddle to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Howard could fit the remit.Īssuming, by some stroke of luck, that Boston did bring in the Michigan Wolverines product, he would initially be tasked with being a spot-up shooter and taking any opportunities that arose within the flow of the game. Jett Howard - Michigan Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesĪt 6’8’’, Jett Howard projects to be a versatile addition to any NBA team, capable of initiating an offense when needed, running the floor, and scoring from all three levels. Those plays may slip into Boston’s range, or Brad Stevens could potentially orchestrate a trade to move up, should he have his eye on a specific talent. With that in mind, over the next week, we’re going to take a look at the different draft options available for the Boston Celtics.Ĭurrently, the Celtics own the 35th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, so, to begin, we will look at players who project to be somewhere near the bottom of the first round. However, there’s something to be said for having home-grown talent that is under a cost-controlled deal, especially when the team is already getting wildly expensive.įactor in the new CBA, which will fully come into play during the summer of 2024, and drafting intelligently suddenly becomes imperative for every team, contending or not. Instead, the focus is on finding ready-made players who can come in and improve the roster from the get-go. When you’re a contending team, developing talent via the draft is often an afterthought.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |