4. Jordan Walsh, Boston Celtics (38th pick)
The Boston Celtics traded back twice in the draft before settling in at pick #38 to select Walsh, a former five-star recruit out of Arkansas. He has already signed a standard deal with the Celtics, and there is certainly a chance that Walsh is able to make an impact in year one despite only being 19.
Walsh was the star of the Celtics Summer League team, averaging 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game on a 55.3 TS% (42.2/40.7/78.9 splits). He did this while playing tenacious, active on-ball defense. He’s a true disruptor.
It’s not crazy to say Walsh was one of the best perimeter defenders in the Summer League. He is 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, allowing him to dig at the ball-handler’s dribble and cause havoc on that end. His three-point shooting was great in the Summer League, hitting over 40.0% of his jumpers from deep. In college, he only shot 27.8% from three.
Walsh could be a Grant Williams replacement for Boston, and if he can shoot even 36% or 37% from deep in the NBA, he immediately has value as a 3-and-D player in the league. He will fight Oshae Brissett and potentially Sam Hauser for the backup forward minutes. It’s definitely easy to see a world where he gets consistent spot minutes if his shot is legit. He can help this contender immediately, and Summer League was just an awesome showing for Walsh.