Inside The Celtics

Scouting Report on Celtics' Second-Round Pick Jordan Walsh

There are a lot of reasons for Celtics fans to love the selection of Jordan Walsh.

Bobby Krivitsky

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Brad Stevens spent much of draft night trading back. First, out of the opening round, then doing so multiple times in the second.

But when it came time to make a selection for themselves, the Celtics went with Jordan Walsh from Arkansas. No one's played a game yet, and there are reasons he fell to 38, but this is a pick that fans should be optimistic about.

Walsh is an intelligent, versatile defender with a high motor and a 7-foot-2 wingspan. 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.

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He's also an intelligent and disruptive 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.

Furthermore, he does an outstanding job navigating screens and not getting knocked off his route. Plus, he's never out of a play, and his length and motor led to many of his blocks coming from behind.

Offensively, he's a connector who sees the floor well. He's also aggressive on the offensive glass and has a knack for extending possessions.

There are also reasons to think Walsh solves his main weakness. If his shooting struggles are cognitive-based, don't expect that to happen. But it might be a product of operating with a narrow base. That should prove an easy fix.

With Walsh's work ethic, a shooting coach could help him develop into a reliable kick-out option. That would figure to make him a valuable role player. But even if there isn't much improvement from beyond the arc in his future, he has the savvy and the effort to make an impact with his facilitating and as a cutter.

He was a glue guy for Arkansas, quick to dive on the floor, and often came up with 50-50 balls. His intangibles are another reason to love what he brings to the table.

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Walsh will fit in Boston, can work around his biggest flaw, and there's reason to believe he'll improve as a shooter. With the 38th pick, the Celtics may have found a rotation player.

Further Reading

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

Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18

Celtics Add Former Teammate of Jayson Tatum to Coaching Staff

Rick Barry Says Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Suffer From “Westbrook Syndrome”

Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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