Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Walsh Already Improving on Main Weakness, a Potential Ceiling-Changing Development
Celtics fans should feel optimistic about what Jordan Walsh can contribute to this team. Yes, he was the 38th pick, but the prospects ranked roughly 20th through 40th on big boards graded out similarly.
As this author broke down leading up to the draft, Walsh was a glue guy for the Arkansas Razorbacks, known for making winning plays and being quick to dive on the floor for loose balls. Does that sound familiar?
Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
And just like Marcus Smart, this fellow Texas native does his best work on the defensive end.
Walsh is six-foot-seven with a seven-foot-two wingspan. He has the length and versatility to slide up and down the lineup and fit well in Boston's switch-heavy scheme.
He's a terrific on-ball defender, who applies air-tight pressure, moves his feet well, and has lightning-fast hands. He fouls a lot, but as a rotation player off the bench, that'll be less of an issue.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The former Razorback's also an intelligent and impactful help defender who covers a lot of ground on his closeouts. And when he gets there, he's balanced, in control, and able to play the drive. Plus, he does an outstanding job navigating screens.
And with his effort and motor, he's never out of a play. His length led to many of his blocks coming from behind.
Offensively, Walsh is a connector who sees the floor well and loves setting up his teammates to score. His second-best trait is that he has a nose for the ball and will fight through box outs to get a put-back, a trip to the foul line, or at least extend possessions.
He'll also contribute to the Celtics playing up-tempo, grabbing rebounds at the defensive end, then pushing the pace, often finding teammates for a layup or an open three.
Where Walsh needs to improve most is obvious, shooting struggles, sometimes leading to him passing up opportunities, are at the root of why he didn't get drafted in the first round.
If the issue is cognitive-based, it probably won't improve much. But it might stem from operating with a narrow base. If that's the root cause, it should prove a relatively easy fix.
And while Walsh can work around that to enjoy a long and productive NBA career, if he becomes reliable from beyond the arc, he could grow into a starting-caliber player.
Adding someone who fits that description, and is likely able to contribute immediately, is increasingly valuable under the restrictive nature of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement. That's especially true if Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown account for roughly 70 percent of Boston's cap space two years from now.
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
And on the heels of a draft that netted the Celtics Walsh and a bevy of future second-round picks, while discussing what the prospect Boston kept brings to the table, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens provided an exciting update about the 19-year-old's post-collegiate development as a shooter, which would raise his ceiling appreciably.
"He's a good prospect. He's young. We don't expect him to come in and take the world on fire in the first couple of months, summer league, first year. He has a special ability laterally and with his wingspan to swallow people up defensively. He really creates havoc with his arms, and with his energy, and with his ability to move his feet.
"He's a better shooter. And we had him in twice for workouts; he's just getting better and better. And I've always thought his touch looked good. But he looked hesitant at times. And so, I think over time, he'll become a really good shooter who has the athleticism to finish and drive closeouts but will always -- he'll be ahead on the defensive end to start."
Further Reading
Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis
Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'
Scouting Report on Celtics' Second-Round Pick Jordan Walsh
Celtics Swing 4 Draft-Day Trades, Add Future Second-Round Capital
After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?
Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade from Boston Celtics
The Latest on Malcolm Brogdon's Forearm Strain
Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Trade Marcus Smart to Grizzlies in Blockbuster Deal
Grant Williams Not Expected Back If Celtics Acquire Kristaps Porzingis
