Celtics' Hugo Gonzalez deemed draft day steal; here's what they're getting

The Boston Celtics stood pat and selected Hugo Gonzalez from Real Madrid with the 28th pick in this year's NBA Draft. It's quite the exclamation point on a day where his team won the ACB championship.

ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony praised that decision, declaring: "The Boston Celtics got one of the steals of the draft here," in his opinion.

Speaking on ESPN's broadcast of the event, Givony also reported that the plan is for the 18-time NBA champions to keep Gonzalez and bring him to Boston for the 2025-26 campaign.

Before a deep dive into Gonzalez's game, let's start with his background.

Making Real Madrid's senior team at 19 is an impressive accomplishment. However, it also meant trying to develop his game under challenging conditions.

As Celtics president of basketball operations noted after the opening round of the draft: "He's playing around a bunch of studs. Guys that have been old pros. They know how to play. They're hard to beat out. They're physical, tough, [and] smart. Again, extremely well coached. When you are that age in that situation, you've got to earn your stripes."

Gonzalez only averaged 11 minutes per matchup across 62 contests. While he started in seven of those, there were also times he got left off their 12-player roster.

That's why it's a mistake to get caught up in his stats. The six-foot-six wing averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds. He shot 42 percent from the field and 30 percent from three-point range on 1.3 attempts.

As explored below, the eye test matters exponentially more than Gonzalez's counting stats.

Hugo Gonzalez's offensive strengths

Boston's first-round pick boasts an impressive physique. He's also a smooth athlete who will long-stride his way into the paint. Helping him get there consistently is that he's shifty with the ball in his hands.

Even against grown men at one of basketball's highest levels, he sought out contact on drives, demonstrating the strength to bump defenders to create separation. That bodes well for him as he prepares for NBA competition.

Gonzalez sees the floor well and has an encouraging feel for the game. He creates quality opportunities for his teammates off the bounce, and his pocket passes and lobs arrive with a blend of touch and precision. He also sends skip passes on time and target.

His activity off the ball, demonstrating a good feel for when to cut from the slot or bolt from the baseline, is what Stevens said stood out most to him about Gonzalez.

"Cutting. And you know, a willingness to do sacrificial things, I guess. We talk about sacrificial cuts that open up opportunities for other people. We talk about sacrificial cuts that end up in you getting an offensive rebound," said Stevens as he praised that part of Gonzalez's game.

As Stevens noted in that answer, Boston's incoming rookie crashes the offensive glass consistently. He produces put-back dunks and second chances.

Hugo Gonzalez's offensive weaknesses

While the 19-year-old from Madrid finishes well around the rim, there are questions about his shot.

He faired poorly from beyond the arc at a low volume. Gonzalez must refine his shooting mechanics and develop a quicker release. However, Stevens is confident in his growth and what the Celtics can do to help facilitate that.

"He will become a better shooter, I believe that," stated Stevens. "We've got a good development program for that. So, I'm excited about him."

Gonzalez must also cut down on the turnovers. He had 39 assists and 37 giveaways this season. Sometimes, that was the product of an ill-advised decision. There were also a lot of turnovers that came while trying to dribble through crowded spaces.

For as much as he brings to the table offensively, turnovers and poor shooting won't help his case for playing time.

The good and the bad with Hugo Gonzalez on defense

Gonzalez's high-octane motor is easy to appreciate on this end of the floor. He plays with tremendous effort on defense. Pairing that with his length, mobility, and strength, he can effectively guard multiple positions. His ability to consistently challenge and disrupt shots is commendable.

His six-foot-seven wingspan also enables him to be an effective weak-side rim protector. It's a fun wrinkle for Boston to take advantage of when he's on the floor.

Gonzalez's aggression can result in undisciplined fouls. That could grow frustrating. However, more positives than negatives stem from his approach.

Furthermore, his initial playing time may not make the prospect of him getting into foul trouble too much of a concern. It's more about the hope he's allowed to play through these. Again, his approach comes with more pros than cons.

Gonzalez is a high-risk, high-reward gamble

As stated in this author's profile on Gonzalez at the start of June, the Celtics drafting him represents a bet on a high-upside prospect coming off a season with limited playing time.

Utilizing the 28th pick on a home run swing was the approach this author hoped for.

The 19-year-old from Madrid will help address Boston's need to work at a faster tempo. When he gets the ball in the backcourt, he'll push the pace. His feel for the game, defensive motor, and versatility are also a part of what makes this an exciting selection.

So is his ability to consistently get into the paint and his court vision and facilitating. And, of course, the cutting and selfless play praised by Stevens.

"It's really clear that he's about the team, and he accepts and is willing to play any role it takes," voiced the Celtics' president of basketball operations. "That's not a learned trait for everybody that's in the draft because most of these guys have never sat. And with that comes a humility and also an understanding that you've got to invest every day just to take advantage of whatever opportunity you get."

Gonzalez will now aim to do so with an organization that has a strong track record in helping shooters improve. That would address one of his primary weaknesses.

There's a path to him contributing without being reliable from beyond the arc, especially if his defense translates to the NBA. But if he joins Boston's three-point brigade, the Celtics should feel good about the prospect of connecting on their home run swing.