Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Julian Phillips

The Celtics have a chance to add a contributor on a rookie deal, which potential extensions for Tatum and Brown and the new CBA make even more valuable.

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Thursday's draft is a chance for the Celtics to add a rotation player on a rookie contract. That's even more important now, given the restrictive nature of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement and the expectation Boston signs Jaylen Brown to a five-year, $295 million veteran supermax extension the summer before inking Jayson Tatum to a five-year, $318 million extension.

The Celtics haven't selected in the first round in the last two years and won't do so in two days without making a trade. They could package Payton Pritchard and the No. 35 pick to make that happen. But there isn't much separation between prospects in the range of where they're choosing and how high they could move up with that offer.

Frankly, it seems like an overpay. If there's a player they fall in love with who they can get and decide it's worth the cost, go for it, but otherwise, it seems best to stick and pick.

That's not to say there aren't plenty of intriguing options, including Ben Sheppard, Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jordan Walsh, and Julian Strawther.

Another name to get familiar with is Julian Phillips. The former Tennessee Volunteer is a six-foot-seven wing at his best on defense.

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He's an excellent on-ball defender who moves his feet well and walls off drives. In college, he was often able to slide his feet to stay in front, but when he had to flip his hips, he did so quickly.

The former five-star recruit also utilizes his six-foot-11 wingspan to challenge shots, including when closing out to shooters, and he does a terrific job closing out to a player's shooting arm.

Phillips played in a switch-heavy scheme at Tennessee, where he showed off his defensive versatility. So, while his primary assignment will be forwards, he moves his feet well enough and utilizes his length effectively to switch onto guards.

Offensively, the 19-year-old is effective as a cutter, maintains body control, and he's a good finisher at the rim. He also takes efficient angles off the drive and can go up with either hand.

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However, Phillips' shot requires a lot of work. There's a lack of fluidity to his process, and he often seems rushed. He also has a bad habit of shooting from too wide of a base.

If a shooting coach can clean up his mechanics, he'll have a long NBA career as a 3&D wing.

Phillips also needs to make significant strides as a help defender. He tends to be half a second late. And with his length, he should be a more effective weakside rim protector.

It seems to have a lot to do with needing to diagnose what's happening faster, so he can better anticipate what's coming and where he has to be to make an impact.

He also has a habit of playing up in passing lanes, leaving him vulnerable to getting beaten backdoor.

Remember, Phillips is only 19. Considering his physical tools, if he puts in the work in the film room, there's no ceiling on what he can become as a complete player defensively.

But it's probably in the best interest of his development for him to go somewhere that will tolerate playing through his growing pains, allowing him to work through mistakes.

So, while he's a scheme fit defensively, given that reality and the concerns about his shooting, the Celtics should probably go in a different direction.

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