{"id":69012,"date":"2024-03-19T11:27:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T15:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=69012"},"modified":"2024-03-19T11:27:12","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T15:27:12","slug":"celtics-draft-targets-why-this-college-phenom-is-a-perfect-fit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/19\/celtics-draft-targets-why-this-college-phenom-is-a-perfect-fit\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Draft Targets: Why This College Phenom Is A Perfect Fit"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Celtics are in the midst of an incredible year and are focused on winning a title. As such the NBA draft is the last thing on Celtics fans’ minds. However, with March Madness<\/a> starting this week, more draft buzz is building. Purdue\u2019s big man Zach Edey<\/a> is an intriguing target for the Celtics. Edey is arguably the best player in college basketball he\u2019s the reigning Naismith Player of the Year<\/a>\u00a0and will likely go back-to-back this year. Many scouts are concerned about how Edey\u2019s game will translate. Nevertheless, he could be the perfect late-round target for the Celtics.<\/p>\n

Celtics Draft Targets: Why Zach Edey Is A Perfect Fit<\/h2>\n

The Ideal Role<\/h3>\n

This off-season Xavier Tillman<\/a>, Luke Kornet<\/a>, and Neemias Queta<\/a> are all free agents<\/a>. As a result, shoring up the center rotation might be a priority for Boston this off-season. Much has been made about how Edey\u2019s game will translate. But in the vast majority of cases fit and situation are huge factors. The Celtics would give Edey the ideal rotational role. Edey would be playing behind Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> and Al Horford<\/a> making his role and minutes fairly limited.<\/p>\n

However, the two big men frequently sit out games giving Edey some more opportunity. When they are playing, Edey could still receive around 15 minutes per game. He would give the Celtics another lob and post-up threat. Defensively he gives them more size and rim protection. While some people are concerned with how his defense and mobility will translate, the Celtics system would be perfect for Edey to develop in. Crucially Edey showed with the Canadian national team how he can thrive in a limited role and make sacrifices for the team.<\/p>\n

At 7\u20194 Edey is a prototypical big man for Boston who has recently fallen in love with massive seven-footers. Adding even more size is an intriguing option for the Celtics. Ultimately the Celtics offer Edey one of the best possible situations he can contribute to a winning team in a low-pressure role while learning from high-level veterans to develop his game.<\/p>\n