The Boston Celtics are poised to secure the 30th pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA draft. Could they consider targeting Purdue star Zach Edey late in the first round?
Under Brad Stevens’ tenure as President of Basketball Operations, the team has often opted to trade draft picks for future assets rather than utilize them.
However, with the landscape shifting due to the new collective bargaining agreement and the team’s roster becoming increasingly costly, there’s speculation that it might be time to pivot towards acquiring cost-controlled talent.
According to insights from a league assistant who spoke with Sean Deveney of Heavy on Sports anonymously, Brad Stevens might have his sights set on Zach Edey if he remains available during the draft.
The assistant suggests that Edey’s old-school style of play could mesh well with the Celtics’ current strategy, particularly their emphasis on post play this season.
“They like to post you up. The 3-pointers are what gets all the attention but they know how to get inside the defense and post you up. So, if you have a kid like Edey and he has all these drop-steps and moves and counters, they’re good with that, especially if you’re putting him on the floor for 15-18 minutes a game and just giving you a different look.”
In the event that Edey is drafted by the Celtics, he would likely assume a reserve role initially, akin to the role played by Neemias Queta in the previous season, but potentially on a larger scale.
Edey’s considerable size and proficiency in scoring from the post would provide the Celtics with a promising big-man prospect to nurture, presenting them with a ready-made asset to develop.
Nevertheless, the availability of Zach Edey at the 30th pick is uncertain. Should he still be on the board, however, his addition to the Boston Celtics roster could prove to be a significant boon for the team.
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