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NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Boston Celtics

By Brendon Kleen

Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots from the free throw line during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots from the free throw line during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 08: Ramon Clemente (R) of Puerto Ricois challenged by Anzejs Pasecniks (L) of Latvia during the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying basketball Semi Final match between Latvia and Puerto Rico at Kombank Arena on July 08, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JULY 08: Ramon Clemente (R) of Puerto Ricois challenged by Anzejs Pasecniks (L) of Latvia during the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying basketball Semi Final match between Latvia and Puerto Rico at Kombank Arena on July 08, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /

4. Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia

Last year, the Celtics took advantage of another considerable pile of draft picks by capitalizing on a couple draft-and-stash players. After taking Jaylen Brown fourth overall, the team nabbed two foreign players with the No. 16 and No. 22 picks. Guerschon Yabusele and Ante Zizic spent the season overseas, but now represent two options for the Celtics to beef up the back end of their roster as their young players finish up their rookie contracts.

The team also took Abdel Nader with the No. 57 pick and stashed him with their D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, as many teams do these days. All three of these guys appear ready to join the NBA team next season, provided they can get out of obligations with professional teams overseas in time to do so.

This is what happens when a team already competing at the present is also stocked with assets. Not everyone can play– as former Georgia Tech standout R.J. Hunter learned by being cut last fall before his third NBA season. Boston is forced into a position in which they must draft international players, overstock their D-League team, or trade their picks. Especially this year having the number one pick, the team cannot afford to add several more rookies into the mix on top of Fultz and Brown.

One option that stands out if the Celtics opt for this strategy is Anzejs Pasecniks. He is a long, mobile center with solid basketball instincts. His biggest knock, as with many European bigs, is the need to add weight. However, if the Celtics were taking him with the strategy of keeping him overseas (Pasecniks currently plays in Spain), he would be able to add muscle and develop his body in a professional environment while Boston waited out the contracts of other big men like Zizic and Al Horford in the states.

Because the team has been blessed with such incredible guard talent, their biggest need will be down low for the forseeable future. Adding big men is going to be the Celtics’ best option for filling out their roster long-term. Pasecniks provides diversity for a group that currently features Horford and could add Yabusele before long. Pairing the young Latvian with Zizic some day would give Boston two excellent pick-and-roll finishers as well.

Pasecniks makes a lot of sense at 37, if Boston keeps this pick.

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