NBA Draft could provide opportunity for Celtics to improve their athleticism after stunning first-round playoff exit

There has been as much anticipation for next month’s NBA Draft as there has been in years. This class features the likes of Brockton’s AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer.

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Several NBA teams visibly tanked — and some were fined for it — just to land a premium pick in this draft. It worked for the likes of the Wizards and Jazz, who landed the top two picks, respectively. It failed miserably and regrettably for the Pacers, who fell to the fifth pick and had to hand their selection to the Clippers because of the Ivica Zubac trade.

The Celtics draft 27th and while that won’t serve as a source of excitement for fans seeking improvement and change after their stunning first-round playoff elimination, they can get a quality player from that pick. Remember, the Celtics took Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman in recent years from their picks in the 20s.

Boston is seeking to get more athletic and a primary ballhandler, and the draft could provide opportunities to fill those needs. The late first round can produce gems but some of those players are considered athletic mavens who may take longer to develop than the likes of the lottery picks.

And there are players who could contribute immediately, but that will rely on the Celtics’ ability to scout and whether they choose to perhaps trade up to seek a desired player. There are a handful of prospects who should be available to the Celtics at No. 27 and even at 40. Here is an initial list of players to watch over the next few weeks who could be contributor’s for the Celtics.

⋅ Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

A speedy 6-foot-2-inch guard from nearby Nashua, Okorie torched the ACC in his lone season with the Cardinal, averaging 23.2 points. He scored in double figures in 30 of his 31 games, including 34 points against North Carolina, 40 against Pitt, and 34 against North Carolina State. Okorie is lethal off the dribble and a decent 3-point shooter (35.3 percent). He explored the draft with the option of returning to Palo Alto but decided to stay in and is projected as a late-first-round pick. The Celtics are seeking speed from the backcourt and Okorie could be an answer.

⋅ Henri Veesaar, C, North Caroiina

The 7-footer averaged 17 points per game as a junior and shot an impressive 42.6 percent from the 3-point line. He is the stretch five the Celtics could be seeking and he could garner some minutes next season alongside Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. Veesaar offered enough versatility, especially on defense, to become a solid rebounder (8.7) and rim protector (1.2 blocked shots). Queta played well enough to remain a starter in the regular season but the Celtics are seeking depth at that position and a shooter that can stretch the floor.

⋅ Isaiah Evans, F, Duke

The Celtics need another athletic wing and solid shooter and Evans hit his share of big shots for the Blue Devils in his sophomore season. His scoring average jumped from 6.8 points as a freshman to 15 and he finished as a career 38 percent 3-point shooter in his two years. What Boston lacked in the playoffs, especially with the departure of Anfernee Simons, is bench scoring and Evans could turn into an eventual starter in a few years. And he gained a reputation of being a fearless player who has the propensity to hit big shots.

⋅ Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara

Most basketball fans had no idea about Graves until he delivered a masterful performance in the Broncos’ thrilling first-round overtime loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. That success encouraged him to enter the draft following his freshman season. His resume is fascinating. He averaged eight shots per game but managed 11.8 points and made 41.3 percent of his 3-point attempts. At 6-8 with a burly build, he proved to be a plus rebounder and interior scorer. Graves has all the makings for a productive stretch four at the NBA level but it may take some time. Once again, Graves is an intriguing prospect who may have become a lottery pick with another year at Santa Clara.

⋅ Dailyn Swain, G/F, Texas

This may be the wing player the Celtics have been looking for. After transferring from Xavier, the swingman averaged 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Longhorns, proving to be one of the most athletic players in the SEC. He is a plus defender and showed the ability to slash to the bucket for baskets. The Celtics have been seeking more athletes and Swain comes to the NBA with three years college experience and a full season under highly respected coach Sean Miller. Swain shot 34 percent from the 3-point line and that could be an area of potential. The Celtics would be excited if Swain is available at 27.

Tuesday was a difficult day for the NBA. The Grizzlies announced that forward Brandon Clarke had passed away at age 29. The team offered no cause but reports say that Clarke may have died because of a drug overdose. The case remains under investigation.

A few hours later, the family of Jason Collins released a statement that the former NBA center and first then-current player to reveal he was gay, had passed away from glioblastoma, which he battled for nearly a year.

The passing of Clarke was disturbing because it’s uncertain if those around him know he had an issue with drugs. In April, Clarke was stopped and arrested in Arkansas for speeding, fleeing from the police and in possession of a controlled substance. The New York Post reported he was found with a substance called “Kratom,” which is a treatment for anxiety and considered a stimulant. It is illegal in Arkansas although legal in California.

Clarke was set to be arraigned in Arkansas on May 15. He was lauded by teammates for his endearing personality and perseverance through injury. But it’s also an alarm to players about the perils of drug use and the league will have to review its drug policies and perhaps work with the NBA Players Association to offer more assistance for players who may be experiencing substances issues.

It’s uncertain whether Clarke was in the league’s drug treatment program because the list is confidential, but it appears as if his death came as a shock to his teammates and NBA peers. It’s a tragic situation and one where the NBA is going to need to investigate “Kratom.” According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement from 2023, it is not on the banned substance list.

The league has legalized marijuana use among its players and tests randomly for what they call “drugs of abuse” and performance enhancing drugs. Philadelphia forward Paul George was suspended for 25 games this season for taking a banned substance he said was for his mental health.

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The NBA has been diligent in updating its drug policies and communicating with players that any issues with drugs would be kept confidential if they follow the rules of the league’s program. Clarke’s tragic passing may be an impetus for the league and players to reassess the league’s stance on drugs where players who may have an issue feel comfortable in approaching their teams about their problems.

With the influx of television money and profits for the NBA, the relationship between the league and its players has become more of a partnership under commissioner Adam Silver. There should be an alert to reassess the league’s policy and partner with the NBPA and meet with players individually about their off-court habits. Being an NBA player is a pressure-filled and stressful job, and the responsibilities of taking care of a family, the criticism from social media, and the obligation to perform can become mentally challenging.

Blessings and farewell to Brandon Clarke.

Kendrick Perkins says aloud what a lot of NBA observers are thinking, and he wholeheartedly agreed with the assessments of president basketball of operations Brad Stevens that the Celtics may need to change their style of play. The reliance of 3-pointers perhaps cost them a chance to face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Perkins said even the better teams make changes and there are certainly going to be some adjustments in store this summer in Boston.

“Teams are getting making moves, even the ones that are winning,” Perkins said. “Oklahoma City won and they still traded for Jared McCain. “It’s just part of it. You get to the point and when you talk about the Celtics, it’s two teams that come in year in and year out with expectations of championships and rightfully so, it’s the Celtics and the Lakers. Now the Knicks feel like they’re supposed to be in that conversation but their fan base is delusional. You know what the Celtics fans want and you know what Brad Stevens wants.”

There has been more scrutiny on coach Joe Mazzulla, who was outcoached in the Philadelphia series by hcounterpart Nick Nurse as the Celtics blew a three games to one lead for the first time in the franchise’s 80-year history. Perkins said it’s time for Mazzulla to change his philosophy, which he said has been personnel based.

“He [has to] put his pride aside,” Perkins said. “I used to say about my grandma and grandpa, they’re old people that’s stuck in their ways. He [has to] to get outside his ways a little bit. He’s still a hell of a coach. He’s a guy that doesn’t cheat the process. He’s a hard worker. He knows the game and he knows how to max out guys. But you’ve got to adjust. You’ve got to get different personnel. You’ve go to be able to adjust with your personnel.”

Perkins was drafted by the Celtics and played nearly nine years in Boston before his unpopular trade to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green and Nate Robinson. Perkins was popular with his teammates and was reluctant to leave the Celtics. He has turned himself into one of more popular and sometimes controversial NBA analysts and he has no hesitation criticizing his former team.

When the Celtics celebrated their 2024 title with a parade in Boston, many members of the ′08 championship team were invited to ride on a duck boat of their own and some members, such as Paul Pierce and Eddie House accepted. There was speculation that Perkins was not invited because of his previously harsh comments about Mazzulla. Perkins told the Globe then he would not have accepted the invite because he wanted the celebration to focus on the 2024 team.

Perkins has not hesitated to criticize anyone that he feels has warranted his assessment. But he said he still cherishes his time with the Celtics and what they accomplished. Perkins tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, an injury that perhaps cost the Celtics the series and impacted his career.

“Yeah I’m still proud [to be a Celtic],” he said. “Why wouldn’t I be, to be honest with you? I know a lot of people have a lot to say when it comes me and sometimes my criticism of the Celtics but I’m doing my job. Boston is always going to be my home away from home. I spent 8½ years there and I’d be the first to give them their flowers.”

The possibility of Perkins’ teammate Rajon Rondo becoming an NBA head coach is real. He served as a part-time assistant to Doc Rivers last season in Milwaukee and has been coaching his sons’ AAU team for years. Rondo applied and is a serious candidate for the Pelicans job, having interviewed with team president Joe Dumars. The Pelicans are going take their time with a decision but Rondo would be an interesting choice.

Although considered a mercurial player who made his share of adversaries during his career, Rondo was also considered a brilliant basketball mind with enough savvy to lead the 2007-08 Celtics to the title as a second-year point guard. That was 18 years ago. Rondo just turned 40 (if you want another reason to feel old) and he appears ready for a head coaching job.

“Hell yeah,” Perkins said when asked if Rondo is ready. “If the Pelicans knew better they’d do better. I don’t know why they’re overthinking this. He’s the guy for the job. One of the best I’ve ever been around.”

As expected the 76ers decided to move on from general manager Daryl Morey as the organization tries to move forward after a series of head-scratching moves. Philadelphia’s performance against the Knicks definitely led to this decision. It appeared the 76ers were quite content with beating the Celtics for the first time in 44 years and when they couldn’t scratch out a win in Game 2 in New York, essentially threw in the towel in an embarrassing home display in Games 3 and 4. The Philadelphia team that looked like a juggernaut in the final 2½ games of the Boston series was replaced by a group of players resigned to making it to the second round. Morey took major risks in his transactions, such as trading former first-round pick McCain for a 2026 first-round pick originally owned by Houston. The 76ers did not have a first-round pick before that trade because they moved that selection to the Thunder in December 2020 along with Al Horford for Terrance Ferguson, Danny Green, and former Celtic Vincent Poirier. So the 76ers will be drafting 22nd, an original Houston pick, while the Thunder, still with an embarrassment of draft riches, will select 17th (Philadelphia) spot and also 12th (the final pick from the 2019 George trade). Morey also signed George to a four-year, $212 million contract, which is proving to be regrettable. The drafting of VJ Edgecombe has given the 76ers a cornerstone to join Tyrese Maxey, but the rest of the roster is aging or nearing free agency. Morey also reunited with James Harden, replaced Rivers with Nurse and signed a bunch of veterans who didn’t really help out. The 76ers are stuck in purgatory and former Warriors president Bob Myers will be in charge for the search for a new GM, although the club announced Nurse, a quality coach in a tough situation, will stay for now … The WNBA officially announced the Connecticut Sun’s sale to Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta and a relocation to Houston for the 2027 season. The Sun will play this final season in Connecticut and will play one last game in Boston on Aug. 18. It’s uncertain when the WNBA will return to the northeast and if Fertitta will clean house with the front office and coaching staff and start fresh. That will be determined following the season.

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