Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft: Matisse Thybulle rises, Sixers grab scorer

Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft — 22. Daniel Gafford, Boston Celtics

The Celtics’ center rotation is made up of Robert Williams, who is injury-prone, Al Horford, who is old, and Enes Kanter, who should probably never be more than a situational third big. Ideally Williams can stay healthy enough to be the long-term starter, but otherwise, there’s a pretty wide opening at center. An opening Daniel Gafford can swiftly fill.

Gafford was the best of Washington’s many centers last season, outshining both Robin Lopez and Alex Len in the playoffs. Gafford doesn’t exactly scream All-Star potential, but he’s just a remarkably solid No. 2 center. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll big, with a wide catch radius around the rim. He’s also a solid rim protector, with the strength to wage battle in the post and the mobility to defend in space.

Boston is plugging holes on a roster that has star power and not much else right now. Gafford plugs a hole. He makes a shallow bench much more sturdy, and takes the immense likelihood of Enes Kanter minutes out of the equation.