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Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The combination of potentially paying Jaylen Brown a five-year, $295 million veteran supermax extension and living over the second apron of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement makes finding contributors on team-friendly contracts even more important to the Celtics than they already were.
Possessing the No. 35 pick is a prime opportunity to help that cause. Boston could package that and Payton Pritchard to select in the first round after not doing so the last two years. But there will be plenty of intriguing options if the franchise stands pat.
Inside The Celtics already profiled Ben Sheppard and Brandin Podziemski. Now, it's time to examine the merits of Boston drafting Jaime Jaquez Jr.
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The 22-year-old prospect is a six-foot-seven wing with a nearly seven-foot wingspan.
The former UCLA Bruin has a polished game offensively, featuring reliable counters to complement his go-to moves. For instance, as effective as his spin move is, when defenders anticipate it's coming, he tends to respond smoothly with a half spin before launching mid-range fadeaways. And when that gets taken away, his footwork and ability to sell pump fakes often produce points.
Those last two elements of his offensive repertoire reflect how he plays in control and has good touch around the rim.
Jaquez is also effective as a roller or popping behind the three-point line after setting screens. He has some ability as the ball handler, changing pace as he comes downhill, starting slow, then bursting to the rim, or so he can create separation to launch a pull-up jumper.
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The California native reads the defense well to make himself available when he's off the ball and is at his best as a catch-and-shoot option when he's letting it fly from the corners. He's also a threat on backdoor cuts. When Jaquez's defender shows him the back of his head, he bolts for the basket.
On the other side of the ball, he's an impactful help defender, who plays passing lanes well, has some weak-side shot-blocking ability, and a quick processing speed. He always knows where the ball is.
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However, his lack of speed and quickness gives him trouble defending guards. And he's often off-balance when closing out and typically slow getting there.
As a big wing who plays with a lot of energy, has a polished offensive game, and is a disruptive help defender, Jaquez could prove a valuable rotation player.
However, he's not well suited for a switch-heavy scheme like the one the Celtics employ. And he's not a reliable catch-and-shoot threat. Furthermore, he turns too many spot-up opportunities into isolation. And he's not someone who typically gets to the rim when attacking closeouts, either.
While this author enjoys watching Jaquez play, he doesn't seem like a fit for what Boston would ask from him at either end of the court.
He'll have to adapt to fewer one-on-one opportunities at the next level, but as Jaquez refines his game, if he improves his shot -- and there are reasons for optimism about that -- since most of his misses are accurate but don't have enough arc, and stays a step ahead defensively, he'll add value to an NBA roster.
Further Reading
Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Brandin Podziemski
Celtics Add Another One of NBA's Top Assistants, Charles Lee, to Fortified Coaching Staff
The Latest Trade Buzz Surrounding Celtics' Guard Payton Pritchard
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Ben Sheppard
Suns Waiving Chris Paul; Should the Celtics Sign Him?
The Latest on Yam Madar and Juhann Begarin
If Celtics Trade Malcolm Brogdon, Here's a Realistic Return Who'd Be a Better Fit
Sam Cassell Checks Nearly Every Box in Celtics Search to Strengthen Joe Mazzulla's Coaching Staff
Are the Celtics Small Tweaks from a Title? Brad Stevens Thinks So
