Austin Ainge talks about 2020 draft stash Yam Madar and the progress he’s made over the last year
For the first time since 2009, the Boston Celtics do not have a first-round pick in the NBA Draft.
The Celtics dealt their 2021 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Kemba Walker trade last month. It was a necessary move to get rid of Walker's contract and gain more roster/financial flexibility moving forward.
The lack of a first-round selection doesn't mean the Celtics won't acquire a quality player from this draft, though. The 2021 draft class is a deep one, and there will be NBA-caliber players selected throughout the second round, where Boston will pick at No. 45 overall.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Forsberg: Five players we'd like to see Celtics take in the NBA Draft
One position the Celtics would be wise to target in Round 2 is point guard. They are a bit thin at point guard following the Walker trade, with Marcus Smart and 2020 first-round pick Payton Pritchard atop the depth chart at that position.
Who might the Celtics pursue in the second round Thursday night? Here's a roundup of expert predictions for the Celtics' pick from recent 2021 NBA mock drafts.
Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer: David Johnson, G, Louisville
Boston Celtics
Jonathan Givony, ESPN: Austin Reaves, PG/SG, Oklahoma
Sam Vecenie, The Athletic: Jason Preston, G, Ohio
Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated: Austin Reaves, PG/SG, Oklahoma
Cody Taylor, Rookie Wire (USA TODAY): Kessler Edwards, SF/PF, Pepperdine
Kyle Boone, CBS Sports: Daishen Nix, PG, USA
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF, Villanova
NBADraft.net: Isaiah Livers, SF/PF, Michigan
Tankathon: Herbert Jones, SF, Alabama
