Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: 26. Jalen Smith, Boston Celtics
Original pick: Payton Pritchard
Celtics 2020 starting lineup
- Kemba Walker
- Marcus Smart
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Robert Williams III
New Celtics 2020 starting lineup
- Kemba Walker
- Marcus Smart
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Robert Williams III
Since the Boston Celtics took Payton Pritchard at 14 instead of 26, they go in a different direction with their later pick. They get big man Jalen Smith, who dropped all the way from pick 10 into their laps.
At the time of the draft last year, there was a lot of buzz that Boston could target Smith with the 14th pick. When he went 10th to the Suns, a lot of people were surprised.
Despite a disappointing rookie season, Smith still has the potential to be a quality NBA player. He showed that potential in Summer League this offseason.
He averaged a double-double with points and rebounds while also shooting a solid percentage from deep. If he can do all of those things at the NBA level, he’ll have a long, productive career.
Smith would be able to fit in with the Celtics as a backup power forward. The Celtics don’t have a ton of depth at that position, so this pick makes a lot of sense in this re-draft.