Next month's NBA Draft is going to be a big spot for the Boston Celtics. They'll have two opportunities to bring in some young talent to fill out their roster, with the hope of developing those players into supporting cast members down the line.
Teams who overspend face [harsh penalties](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-desperately-need-avoid-second-apron-cba-explanation-penalties-taxes-more) under the league's newest collective bargaining agreement. One of the best ways to avoid overspending is by drafting well.
The Celtics currently hold the 28th and 32nd picks in the 2025 draft. These selections could prove to be crucial to building a sustainably good roster. Especially when considering the value of getting strong production out of players who are on cheaper contracts.
An interesting option for Boston could be Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier. Lanier appeared in 38 games for the Vols this past season and was a key contributor to one of the nation's best teams. The six-foot-five wing averaged 18 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 39.5% from long range.
**Does Chaz Lanier make sense for the Celtics?**
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Not immediately, but I suppose it never hurts to add more shooting, right?
With how many changes could be coming the Celtics' way this offseason, a wing likely isn't the most pressing area to use a draft pick on. There's been consistent speculation that both Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday could be traded in salary-shedding trades this summer, leaving the center and guard spots undermanned. If you account for the looming free agencies of Al Horford and Luke Kornet, the thoughts of drafting a center get even louder.
Sure, there are a lot of moving parts at the moment, but it's tough to imagine many available minutes for a wing like Lanier. Players like Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman will surely take priority in the rotation. Plus, Jordan Walsh is still around. This could be a great season for Boston to figure out what they've got in him, with Jayson Tatum likely out all year with an Achilles tear.
Of course, Lanier would still have potential even if all of the above is true. His three-point shot alone would make Joe Mazzulla at least consider giving him some playing time, considering the volume of threes that the Celtics typically create. One of the things that draft experts mention when they talk about Lanier is his off-ball movement. That's certainly a skill that would benefit him in whatever role he'd have in Boston. It's unlikely that the ball would be in his hands very much, so being able to create problems for defenses without it would be great for him.
Physically, there's a decent amount to be excited about with the 23-year-old. His six-foot-nine wingspan would be an asset for creating deflections on defense, and his 39-inch vertical may be able to help smooth the transition from college to the NBA. Despite the positives, he only weighs in at 207 pounds and probably needs to put on some muscle before being a reliable rotation guy in the pros.
Defensively, there's a lot to be desired, as well. It's one of the main reasons why one of the draft's best shooters is being mocked as a second-rounder.
"He’s not an on-ball stopper, and off-ball he doesn’t have elite instincts," wrote [Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor in his profile of Lanier](https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft/?view=default&board=0&filter=round%3Aall). "To compensate for his lack of size and strength he needs to stay more locked in."
When thinking of comparisons for Lanier, my mind immediately jumps to Aaron Nesmith, but without the crazy defensive motor. The shot is there, and he'd be a decent off-ball option for the Celtics, but it's tough to imagine him having many opportunities to make mistakes.
If Boston were to draft Lanier, it'd likely be after trading back in the second round. There are plenty of exciting prospects within the 28-32 range that would be better fits for what the Celtics should be looking for next month.
Lanier wouldn't be a bad selection if the Cs were in more of a need for a wing, but it just wouldn't make a lot of sense to take minutes away from Walsh or Scheierman in favor of him.
For a more in-depth look at potential Celtics prospects, check out the "How 'Bout Them Celtics" draft preview, where Jack Simone and I run through plenty of names with No Ceilings' Tyler Rucker.