The Boston Celtics might be acquiring a Kelly Olynyk clone this month.
In a new mock draft released Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman projected the Celtics selecting a six-foot-eleven, 252-pound big man from Michigan with the No. 28 overall pick, a player whom Wasserman compared to the former Celtics and current New Orleans Pelicans center Olynyk.
The prospect? USA/Israel dual citizen Danny Wolf.
“Danny Wolf made a strong, final pitch to scouts against Auburn, finishing with 20 points and a number of eye-opening highlights that showcased his creation and shotmaking,” Wasserman wrote.
“Though his three-point numbers might not indicate shooting improvement, he added a pull-up and step-back to his repertoire this year. A 7-footer who made 21 dribble jumpers, served as Michigan’s lead playmaker and still averaged 9.7 boards and 1.4 blocks is bound to entice a number of teams.”
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The Celtics’ system, which emphasizes versatility and spacing, is a perfect fit for a player like Wolf, who blends size with playmaking and shooting.
Boston’s frontcourt, led by Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, thrives on bigs who can stretch the floor and facilitate. But Horford (free agent) and Porzingis (potential trade chip, expiring deal) don’t have guaranteed futures in Boston.
Wolf’s ability to handle the ball, hit dribble jumpers, and contribute on the boards aligns with the Celtics’ modern approach to the center position. His defensive presence, averaging 1.4 blocks, might provide some rim protection, an area where Boston’s depth could use reinforcement, although it’s unclear just how well Wolf’s game will translate to the next level.
Maybe Wolf could serve as a cost-effective big for the Celts as they manage luxury tax problems. While not a guaranteed asset in the NBA, his multifaceted skill set fits the Celtics’ championship blueprint … in theory.
If Wolf develops into an Olynyk-like player, he could be a very solid pick at No. 28.
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