Celtics could be eyeing UConn champion Andre Jackson Jr. with pick #35

Here's an interview with UCONN wing Andre Jackson Jr. following his workout with the Indiana Pacers featuring Celtics legend Larry Bird among others from their front office. Jackson Jr. lists the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics as the only other two teams that he had workded out for (at that point).

The Celtics are lucky to have the 35th pick in this coming NBA draft. It originally belonged to Portland and it ended up much higher than one would have expected when the Celtics obtained it. If the Celtics retain the pick, this will be the highest that Brad Stevens has drafted.

Stevens has traded the Celtics 2021, 2022, and 2023 first rounders for Al Horford (and to dump Kemba Walker's contract), Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon over the past two years. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown now both eligible for super max contracts, the Celtics luxury tax bill is going to get quite high. It's important to balance the roster with some players who are considerably better than their contract numbers. That's very hard to do in free agency, but happens quite frequently with draft picks.

At #35 Stevens could conceivably snag a 1st round talent who fell out of the initial round. Jackson Jr I don't believe has been put in mocks that high, but there is still a good amount of time for things to change. I'm anxious to see how Stevens does drafting and this #35 pick could be our first real glimpse of Brad the drafter.

As always we'll try to keep you updated with all the Celtics draft news.