Celtics land hard-nosed Arkansas wing Jordan Walsh amid flurry of trade downs on Draft Night

A day that began with the Celtics trading their greatest wing defender capped with the team’s acquisition of one of the premier offensive disruptors in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Arkansas wing Jordan Walsh landed in Boston amid of flurry of trade downs first initiated by the Celtics’ swap of Marcus Smart for Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis early Thursday morning.

The three-team deal that saw Smart dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies also moved the Celtics up 10 spots to the 25th overall pick in the draft. But Boston traded out of the spot, receiving the Detroit Piston’s 31st overall selection and two future second-round picks.

No. 31 didn’t stay in the Celtics’ possession for long, as the team shipped it to Charlotte for picks No. 34 and No. 39. Boston ended up drafting Colby Jones at No.34 on behalf of the Kings, as the Celtics sent him to Sacramento for No.38 and another future 2nd round pick.

The Celtics tabbed Walsh and Washington State forward Mouhamed Gueye with No.38 and No.39 but the latter was routed to Atlanta for a final 2nd round pick.

Walsh, by way of Memphis, by way of Detroit, by way of Sacramento, arrives in Boston expected to compete for a spot in the Celtics’ wing rotation. Walsh averaged 7 points per game on 43% shooting in his freshman year at Arkansas last year but shined as a disruptive force on the perimeter, continually guarding the opposing squad’s greatest shooting threat.

With a 7′3″ wingspan alongside eye-popping athleticism, the Celtics hope Walsh can develop into a player capable of guarding every position on the floor. Walsh’s path to playing time will be determined by his ability to add to his offensive skillset and become a positive player on both sides of the NBA game.

The sequence of trade downs means that Brad Stevens’ still has yet to draft in the first round since taking over as President of Basketball Ops in 2021. Stevens moved first-rounders in 2021 and 2022 as part of the Al Horford and Derrick White acquisitions respectively.

In an overnight press conference after the draft, Stevens said Walsh was one of several players they felt comfortable drafting. He also took the time to honor Smart’s nine-year tenure in green.

“The greatest legacy that you can leave is to leave someplace and it’s better off because you were there. I think that everybody feels that way. He will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here, for any number of reasons,” said Stevens.

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