With the 38th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected 19-year-old Jordan Walsh, a 6-foot-6 forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan who spent a year with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Kings traded that selection to the Boston Celtics. Now, the C’s are preparing to unleash his skillset.
“Walsh’s skillset has shades of Jonathan Kuminga and Tari Eason,” said a profile by RotoWire before the 2023 NBA Draft. “His elite athleticism and length give him the potential to be a top-tier defender in the name.”
Teams viewed the young player as a project with a chance to become a high-caliber defender. The Celtics had a clear spot for a defender to develop in the G League and did not rush him.
The Rookie Season
In the 2023-24 season, Walsh shined with the Maine Celtics, helping lead the team to the G-League Finals. He averaged nearly a block and a steal per game while showcasing his offensive talents. As mostly a teenager he shot 36% from three while averaging 14.7 points a night.
Boston didn’t need him to produce in the NBA during year one, but coach Joe Mazulla can’t ignore his talent this season.
The Jrue Holiday Mentorship
In an article by The Athletic, the 20-year-old said he’s been learning to six-time All-Defensive veteran guard Jrue Holiday about defense.
“The main thing is I want to be able to be one of the best defenders in the league,” Walsh said to The Athletic. “For me to get there I need to have mentors and guys that I can follow. And Jrue is a prime example for that.”
2024 Preseason
That mentorship has been evident through four preseason games this season, where Walsh has emerged as on the first players off the bench. In the first matchup against the Nuggets, Walsh recorded three blocks while two days later he had two steals against Denver.
The former McDonald’s All-American also has been showcasing more skills including a 3/3 game from three and a 16 points double-double.
Role with the Celtics
Walsh’s talent is becoming more apparent, but the Celtics are returning most of their championship group from 2023. The biggest available spot is the role Oshae Brissett had as a forward, averaging 11 minutes a night in 55 games. The team didn’t fill that position through free agency.
Walsh will compete to fill that role early on and avoid a G League assignment. Even if he plays for Maine in the 2024-25 season, it shouldn’t be seen as a setback.
He won’t turn 21 until March and is the same age as many rookies. The Celtics signed him to a four-year contract, fully aware he is a project.
The goal for Jordan Walsh is clear: transform him into an elite three-and-D player who can fit into any system. Boston won’t rush him and will trust the process.
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