The Celtics could use depth in the backcourt. Cole Anthony is far and away the best prospect available, and someone who could provide instant offense off the bench for a contender. This is an absolute no-brainer for Boston.
Anthony was the top prospect on many boards before the season. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency as a freshman, and advanced age (in comparison to other freshmen) may scare away some teams. But at the end of the day, he’s a twitchy athlete who looks the part of this year’s most dynamic on-ball shot creator.
There’s no one with more star potential this late in the draft. Boston has a lot invested in the point guard position, but Anthony is one heck of a backup — and someone who could learn a lot by spending a few seasons behind Walker before stepping into the spotlight. The Celtics getting tremendous value in the middle of the first round is nothing new.