Team-friendly contracts are more valuable than ever as the Boston Celtics navigate life as a title contender with a ballooning payroll.
With five players set to earn over $28 million next season, the margin for error on the back end of the roster is razor thin.
That’s why hitting on draft picks is essential, and why Baylor Scheierman has a chance to make a name for himself in Boston.
Selected with the 30th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the sharpshooting forward out of Creighton brings one of the league’s most coveted skills, perimeter shooting, along with a well-rounded resume from his college career.
But with the Celtics deep at nearly every position and clinging to a championship window, the question remains: Can Scheierman crack the rotation and become a reliable contributor?
Baylor’s Background
Scheierman’s rise from a zero-star recruit at South Dakota State to an All-American at Creighton was built on steady development and a sharp shooting touch.
After averaging just six points per game as a freshman, he transformed into a high-level offensive threat, shooting 40.4% from three over his final four collegiate seasons. His perimeter gravity opened up the rest of his offensive game. While he isn’t known as a lead guard, his strong feel as a passer and decision-maker made him a quality secondary creator.
He also proved among the nation’s best rebounders for his size, averaging 8.5 boards per game in his final four seasons.
His age, defensive limitations, and average athleticism contributed to his slide to the end of the first round, but his production and feel for the game made him a worthwhile gamble for a championship-contender like the Celtics.
Reviewing His Rookie Season
Earning minutes as a rookie on a championship team was always going to be a tough task for Scheierman. He appeared in just 31 games, averaging 12.4 minutes, with many of those coming in low-leverage situations.
However, that didn’t stop him from flashing some of the positive qualities that he can bring to the team.
His perimeter shooting, the skill that would most immediately earn him playing time, started cold to begin the season. At the All-Star break, he was just 1-of-14 from beyond the arc.
But he settled in post-break, shooting 36.8% from three, including 37.7% on catch-and-shoot attempts. That’s an encouraging trend for a player whose long-term viability hinges largely on spacing the floor around stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
He will need to become a reliable spot-up shooter to play alongside Boston’s stars, but he also flashed more versatility than expected. He showed the ability to shoot off movement, navigate closeouts, and even pull up in transition, adding wrinkles to his offensive profile.
His shooting will be the predominant factor in his ability to play real minutes for the Celtics, but he delivered promise in other areas as well. He was a solid passer, rebounded well for his position, and held his own defensively.
His anticipation in the passing lanes stood out in particular, as he generated a 1.8% steal rate that ranked in the 74th percentile among forwards, while holding opponents 9.5% below expected on two-point attempts.
He didn’t face elite competition, but he stepped up in the opportunities he was given.
A Chance to Prove Himself
Under normal circumstances, Scheierman might’ve had to wait to see consistent minutes. But with Jayson Tatum expected to miss most of, if not the entire 2025-26 season, the Celtics appear to be headed toward a “gap year”, where development and cost control may be prioritized.
That shift opens a window for players like Scheierman to earn more playing time and prove they can contribute when Boston returns to full strength.
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His Role Moving Forward
Many have likened Scheierman’s long-term fit with the Celtics in a similar role to Sam Hauser. Neither entered the league as a blue-chip prospect, and both derive much of their value from floor spacing.
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With Hauser’s future uncertain due to Boston’s financial crunch, Scheierman could be the heir to receive his minutes.
But their games aren’t identical. Scheierman may have a difficult time reaching Hauser’s elite consistency from deep, but he also offers more in terms of on-ball creation and playmaking.
86% of Hauser’s shot attempts in his rookie campaign came while taking zero dribbles. By comparison, 66.3% of Scheierman’s shot attempts this season came without a dribble, a difference that speaks to his ability to put the ball on the floor.
Hauser excels at picking his spots and thriving as a catch-and-shoot weapon. Scheierman will need to continue developing in that area, but his broader offensive skill set could give the Celtics a slightly more dynamic option, even if he’s not quite the specialist Hauser is.
Next Steps for Scheierman
Aside from improving as a shooter, defense will be the biggest test for Scheierman to earn head coach Joe Mazzulla’s trust.
The Celtics’ switch-heavy defense has little tolerance for weak links. Hauser’s development on that side of the floor is the most underappreciated aspect of his game, which helped him become a regular contributor. Payton Pritchard, similarly, didn’t earn consistent minutes until proving he could hold his own defensively.
Scheierman will need to do the same, especially if he wants to stay in the mix when the team is healthy and the rotation tightens.
Scheierman Could Shine in 2025-26
With Boston expected to shed salary and possibly lose multiple key players, the 2025-26 season could be a proving ground for Baylor Scheierman.
On a contract worth under $3 million over the next two seasons, even modest bench production could make him one of Boston’s best value assets.
The Celtics don’t need him to be a star. Depth is crucial in today’s NBA, and Scheierman could help the team transition from their previous championship regime to their next.
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