So who is Baylor Scheierman? He spent 5 years in college, the first three at South Dakota State and the final two at Creighton. He originally had entered into the 2022 draft but instead transferred to Creighton. He was first team All-Big East in 2024 averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists while Creighton made the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.
So what are the cons? Nothing to do with him but Krystaps Porzingis will not be available to start the season and Al Horford is going to be another year older. Potentially the Celtics needed a big man in the draft much like Semih Erden held the fort back in 2011 with Jermaine O'Neal and Kendrick Perkins were out. Taking a guard in the draft means the hole at center/forward remains. He's also already 24 years old which puts him just 3 years younger than Jaylen Brown and 2 behind Jayson Tatum & Payton Pritchard. A long career may not be in the cards and also he'll have to prove he can crack the rotation already featuring Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Pritchard.
What are the pros? He's one of the best three point shooters available which is perfect for the bombs away offense the Celtics employ. He's also 6 foot 7 meaning how the hell are guys like Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell going to potentially guard him? He averaged 8 rebounds his senior year so he could be help on the glass as well. Overall the Celtics got a relatively big guy who can shoot the three. If the Celtics move on from Sam Hauser, they might have drafted his replacement.
All in all you could look at it in two ways. The hater's guide basically means the Celtics took a guard when they needed a center and if he was as dynamic as his stats claim, why did he stay two years at Creighton when he could have gone in the 2022 draft? Not to mention his shot may not translate to the pros, imagine the second coming of Bruno Sundov or Carson Edwards. Now the optimistic side is they just got another Sam Hauser, a 6'7 guard that can shoot the three and grab a rebound. Hauser has the club option for next season before becoming an UFA after 2025, drafting his potential replacement isn't the worst of moves. Still, the world champs can always use more three point shooters and they might have drafted one of the best. Time will tell. The Celtics have Dallas' second round pick so they're not finished, we'll see you tomorrow night for Round 2.
