The 2024 NBA draft class has a few layers with star potential, but the vast majority of the rookies will likely be role-players at best. That was generally the consensus about the class even before the season started, and with only five players averaging double-digit points, it seems to be holding up.

As the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics had the last pick in the first round and picked Baylor Scheierman from Creighton. As a fifth-year NCAA player, his ceiling was expected to not be much higher than what he flashed in college, and he has been buried on the Celtics’ depth chart behind more established players.

The 6-foot-6 guard has been excellent for the Maine Celtics of the G League, averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 25 games. In the NBA, he has only played in garbage time. On March 18, he played over 15 minutes for just the second time in a 104-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets, and he caught fire.

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Baylor Scheierman could be the steal of the draft

Thanks to his very limited playing time, Scheierman will not win Rookie of the Year, but when he plays, he looks like the best player from his draft class.

Against the Nets, he went 6-of-7 from 3-point range and finished with 20 points, outscoring everyone aside from Kristaps Porzingis, who had high praise for the rookie after the game.

“He’s been great, honestly, you could tell early in the season he wasn’t as comfortable yet, which is completely normal, you know, coming into a team like this, getting that first opportunity, it’s tough maybe just to have this type of a game,” explained Porzingis.

“But the more experience he’s getting, and being in Maine, playing in the G League, and then coming back up and getting another shot and there you go. One thing you can’t say about him is that he doesn’t play hard. He plays really hard. I think the fans see that. They appreciate that.”

Boston fans are known for being among the harshest (sometimes cruelest) fans in the NBA, and Scheierman has risen to the occasion.

“A game like this, offensively, it’s like, just beautiful to watch,” continued the center. “And that was, that was a beautiful, beautiful game for him. He’s getting more and more comfortable. And today, you could tell, after each three, his confidence just kept on growing… like he was just rolling, and confidence was sky high and feeling good. Those kinds of moments are always special to watch the crowd, especially to have a game like this at home.”

Scheierman is making a case for more minutes

In a win against the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season, Scheierman was given 29 minutes off the bench, and he made the most of it.

In his first real playing time of his NBA career, he scored 15 points on 3-of-7 shooting from deep and 50% shooting overall. He has the frame and strength to compete with real NBA players, but the Celtics simply don’t need him on their roster yet.

As Boston grapples with an increasing luxury tax this offseason, they might trade some of their more expensive role-players in favor of cheaper options, which will open up the door for Scheierman to play a bigger role next season.

With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the roster, the Celtics will remain contenders even if they cut payroll, and Scheierman should be given a chance to play winning basketball next season and could even surpass Jaylen Wells, Stephon Castle, and Alex Sarr for the title of Best Player Drafted in 2024.