Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Marcus Sasser

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.

While the Celtics could package Payton Pritchard and the No. 35 pick to move into the first round, that seems like an overpay, given the lack of separation between prospects in the range of where they're choosing and how high they could move up with that offer.

So, unless there's a player they fall in love with who they can get and decide it's worth the cost, it seems best to stick and pick.

Ben Sheppard, Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jordan Walsh, Julian Strawther, and Julian Phillips are among the bevy of intriguing options that could realistically be available when Boston comes on the clock.

Former Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser is another player worth getting familiar with.

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The six-foot-one floor general pairs a polished offensive attack with a lightning-quick release and deep range. Sasser's a quick-twitch athlete and has no trouble creating space to get his shot off on pull-up jumpers, running a pick-and-roll, and working in isolation.

The Texas native, who knocked down 37 percent of his three-point attempts as a Cougar, is also excellent on catch-and-shoot opportunities, drilling over 40 percent of them. The latter's a testament to his effectiveness off the ball.

And while Sasser doesn't have much burst to get to the basket and struggles finishing when challenged at the rim, he has a reliable floater, an essential part of his being such a productive two-level scorer.

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He's also guilty of overdribbling sometimes. Even if he goes to a team where he has the leeway to get away with that, it's in his best interest to cut down on it. But to his credit, he had a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio while at Houston.

Defensively, Sasser's outstanding at the point-of-attack: He has quick hands and feet, plays tight to the ball, competes, and contests shots. It feels like watching a cornerback carry out the job.

And despite being undersized, he's terrific at taking contact with his chest to slow or halt drives, then has the hand speed to knock the ball free and a six-foot-seven wingspan to disrupt shots.

Sasser also has teach-tape-caliber closeouts. He gets there quickly and in control, prepared to contest a potential shot and stay in front of anyone who attacks off the dribble.

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And he navigates screens well enough to recover in time to challenge field-goal attempts. He'd thrive in drop coverage, going over the top of picks, running his assignment off the three-point line, then fighting to get back in front, knowing he has the length to disrupt shots from behind.

But even in a switch-heavy scheme like the one Boston utilizes, Sasser can quickly and aggressively pick up who he's taking on next to prevent them from getting comfortable.

The Celtics seem more likely than not to part with Malcolm Brogdon, a move that would be motivated by prioritizing re-signing Grant Williams and staying under the second apron. That could lead to Pritchard staying in the only NBA home he's known.

If that happens, don't expect them to draft Sasser, even if he's available when they're on the clock. The draft being on Thursday might also be too early for the organization to have a lean on how matters with Pritchard get resolved.

But Sasser's game suggests he'll be able to work around or mostly avoid his most-concerning weaknesses while providing buckets off the bench and effective on-ball defense. So, if he's a prospect the Celtics have fallen in love with, maybe they rearrange their depth chart in the backcourt to accommodate him.

Further Reading

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

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

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

Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jordan Walsh

The Latest Intel on Grant Williams

Juhann Begarin and Yam Madar Reportedly Won't Suit Up for Celtics at Summer League

Examining How the Bradley Beal Trade Impacts the Celtics

Celtics Continue to Strengthen Their Coaching Staff

The Latest Celtics Trade Chatter

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