When Danny Ainge calls, Terry Rozier answers. Even when Rozier is sleeping.
On Monday morning, Ainge, the general manger of the Boston Celtics, called. Rozier was sleeping. Not for long. He answered all of Ainge’s questions about Chinanu Onuaku, his former teammate at the University of Louisville.
Of course, Rozier also took a call from Onuaku. He wanted to ask about Boston.
The Celtics own eight of the 60 picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, which will unfold Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Nobody would be surprised if Onuaku becomes a guy who’ll be walking through that door into Boston.
The Celtics own picks three, 16, 23, 31, 35, 45, 51 and 58. No mock drafts have Onuaku being selected as early as 23rd. But he would be a logical fit with Boston with the 31st, 35th or 45th pick.
This is the scouting report that Rozier shared with Ainge:
“He’s great. He’s a kid who you’ve just got to get to know, welcome in with open arms. He’s going to accept you all the way. He’s a great rebounder, outlet passer. But Danny already knows that. He can definitely play in the league.”
There was nothing magical about Rozier’s advice to Onuaku: Work hard.
Onuaku decided to depart Louisville after two seasons. At 6-10 and 245 pounds, he projects as a back-up center who will have to improve his offensive skills to earn starter’s minutes. He has worked out for multiple NBA teams, including the 76ers, Celtics, Nuggets and Hornets.
The unknown: Are NBA general managers and coaches concerned by the heart procedure that Onuaku underwent after his solid performance at the Draft Combine in Chicago last month?
“Are some teams concerned?” said the chief scout for one NBA team. “Yes. Absolutely.”
On Monday morning, Ainge, the general manger of the Boston Celtics, called. Rozier was sleeping. Not for long. He answered all of Ainge’s questions about Chinanu Onuaku, his former teammate at the University of Louisville.
Of course, Rozier also took a call from Onuaku. He wanted to ask about Boston.
The Celtics own eight of the 60 picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, which will unfold Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Nobody would be surprised if Onuaku becomes a guy who’ll be walking through that door into Boston.
The Celtics own picks three, 16, 23, 31, 35, 45, 51 and 58. No mock drafts have Onuaku being selected as early as 23rd. But he would be a logical fit with Boston with the 31st, 35th or 45th pick.
This is the scouting report that Rozier shared with Ainge:
“He’s great. He’s a kid who you’ve just got to get to know, welcome in with open arms. He’s going to accept you all the way. He’s a great rebounder, outlet passer. But Danny already knows that. He can definitely play in the league.”
There was nothing magical about Rozier’s advice to Onuaku: Work hard.
Onuaku decided to depart Louisville after two seasons. At 6-10 and 245 pounds, he projects as a back-up center who will have to improve his offensive skills to earn starter’s minutes. He has worked out for multiple NBA teams, including the 76ers, Celtics, Nuggets and Hornets.
The unknown: Are NBA general managers and coaches concerned by the heart procedure that Onuaku underwent after his solid performance at the Draft Combine in Chicago last month?
“Are some teams concerned?” said the chief scout for one NBA team. “Yes. Absolutely.”
