2018 NBA Mock Draft: If need were all that mattered

At some point, the Celtics will wander away from this “only long wings” thing and take a shot creator who fits into their system. They’re not allergic to the archetype: Jayson Tatum projected to be that type of player before blasting toward the moon as a rookie and showing off incredible 3-point shooting, passing and defensive versatility few saw coming. DiVincenzo could be a fit if he can also do those things well.

Like Mo Wagner, DiVincenzo burst onto the scene by playing out of his mind under the scrutiny of the NCAA tournament. He will benefit, however, from his relative anonymity up to that point because it allows him to be properly valued and potentially end up with a better organization as a result. Backing up Jaylen Brown for a few minutes a night for a championship contender is a heck of a way to start a career.

DiVincenzo has a few core skills that should translate early on — 3-point shooting, playmaking efficiency and size (yes, size is a skill). He makes sense on this roster, considering how easy it is to imagine him playing off the ball alongside Kyrie Irving or Marcus Smart or running the offense with Brown at the two.

There are certainly questions, however. It’s not clear who DiVincenzo defends aside from backups, and his offensive upside seems limited unless his shot develops to an elite level. The Celtics tend to make the most of their young players, so maybe this really is the right situation for the junior.