Celtics Grab Jordan Walsh, Multiple Future Picks In 2023 NBA Draft

BOSTON, MA — It's been a busy week in the land of green, as Boston traded out a franchise stalwart to welcome in a former New York rival. And then there was the 2023 NBA Draft.

Patch covered the three-team Marcus Smart trade to Memphis that will bring in Kristaps Porzingis from Washington yesterday. The only update from then is that the trade was finalized.

Read more: Celtics Ship Out Smart, Acquire Porzingis In Blockbuster Deal: Reports

Boston also acquired picks in that trade, but only used one of them in the 2023 draft. The front office did, however, use their best Bill Belichick impression by trading down in the draft to acquire multiple future picks.

The Celtics did come away with one player from the 2023 class in Jordan Walsh from Arkansas, who the team can use to replace Smart's versatility on the defensive end.

Walsh, at 6'7" with a wingspan that could make any GM drool, is bigger than Smart, potentially allowing him to guard power forwards and the occasional small ball center.

He won't however, be able to replicate Smart's playmaking or shotmaking, at least right away.

Walsh provides additional help on the wing as both a backup to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and will come in as a defensive stopper immediately. He projects as a prototypical 3 and D wing if he can prove to consistently hit open jumpers.

The Celtics originally had the Memphis pick at 25 and selected Marcus Sasser, but reportedly agreed to trade him to Detroit for the 31st pick and future second rounders, according to Shams Charania.

Boston then agreed to trade the 31st pick to Charlotte for picks 34 and 39. After selecting Colby Jones at 34, they agreed to trade him for the 38th pick, where they selected Walsh.

At 39 the Celtics drafted Mouhamed Gueye, but reportedly agreed to trade him for more future draft assets.

Amidst a flurry of deals both related to the draft and the current roster, General Manager Brad Stevens said Walsh was on their draft board and a pick they had faith in.

"We had a list of guys that we were really comfortable with. The guy that we ended up getting was on that list," said Stevens.