In Tyler Bey, the Celtics add one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. At 6-foot-7, Bey spent his college days in the frontcourt. In the NBA, due to his size, he projects as more of a wing. We have seen the difficulties of such a transition in the past — i.e. Zhaire Smith — but Bey is built for the challenge.
Bey’s value is rooted in defense. He’s a strong-bodied defender, with quick enough feet to defend the perimeter and the choppiness needed to battle inside. He could spend some time as a small-ball four — or even a small-ball five — with the right personnel around him. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, and the Celtics thrive on interchangeable parts.
The offense will need to come around for Bey. He can hit jumpers, but his mechanics need serious reconstruction. He’s not much of a ball-handler, nor a threat in isolation. He will produce mostly as a rim-runner, with a few spot-up possessions thrown in. Even so, mere complementary production next to Boston’s wealth of shot creators would more than suffice.