BBNBA Preview: BJ Boston starting fresh with the Clippers

The BJ Boston we watched at Kentucky is not the BJ Boston the LA Clippers believe they drafted.

Clippers executive Jerry West “has identified Boston as a standout” throughout preseason camp, and his coach, Tyronn Lue, praised his effort after Monday night’s preseason game. “He plays hard and he tries. He gives you effort every single night.” Lue even started Boston in the Clippers’ preseason opener.

Boston himself also seems more confident than he was during Kentucky’s disastrous 2021 season. Personally, he “don’t be nervous” any longer. And he describes himself as a bucket. “I can score at all three levels. Anytime I get the ball, I feel like I can put it in the hoop.”

So is this new, professional version of BJ Boston something to believe in after how his 25 collegiate games played out? In the Clippers eyes, yes. Let’s take a look at how “Brandon Bucket Boston” has looked so far in camp and what his role and expectations will be in year one:

Preseason

When asked about his “great” season at Kentucky by a media member this past summer, BJ Boston chortled sarcastically, “Great season at Kentucky? Whew!”

With a few months passed since the end of the season, I think everyone involved with the 2021 UK season was ready to give a collective “whew!” and move on. For Boston, the first step in proving himself as a different player was shining in the summer league.

Boston did just that, averaging 13 points a game on 44% shooting in the Clippers’ five summer league games.

Then, in preseason training camp, Boston collected praise from Jerry West and Tyronn Lue, and expressed his own confidence in his offensive skill set. Everyone around the Clippers organization is giddy about the potential steal they got in an offensive player of Boston’s caliber at the 51st pick in the draft.

They also invested a rare three-year deal for the second-rounder, giving him more guaranteed money ($2.5 million) than any non-foreign player ever drafted 50th or worse.

In Los Angeles’ first preseason game, he showed flashes of his eventual scoring potential. Monday night vs. the Nuggets, BJ knocked down an open three and converted a nice mid-range jumper over defensive specialist Aaron Gordon in the first quarter. Then in the fourth, Boston drove the baseline for an open dunk and contested the Nuggets’ final shot to secure the victory for LAC. Albeit in a meaningless game.

Nonetheless, BJ Boston so far looked like the more comfortable, hungry version of himself that has been talked about. Check out his highlights from the game below:

Expectation & Role

The financial appeal of being selected in the first round is a guaranteed two-year contract with guaranteed money. Well, BJ Boston already has that with his three-year deal that guarantees $2.5 million in the first two years.

He has the monetary stability of a first-rounder but none of the expectations. Since he was picked so low, Boston won’t be expected to contribute right away or develop into a starter within his first few seasons.

At Kentucky, BJ Boston was saddled with leading a putrid offense on a bad roster while fans expected an SEC Championship season and Final Four run. With Los Angeles, he’s an afterthought on the city’s second-most popular team. He can play through mistakes. He can develop at his own pace without a swath of fans and John Calipari screaming at him.

As for his role with the team, he certainly won’t start out in any meaningful rotations. Very possible he spends most of his season in the G-League. Which would help his development more than hurt it.

The Clippers aren’t thin at wing, but without Kawhi Leonard due to injury, they aren’t loaded either. Paul George is the star, and Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe will likely start next to him in the backcourt. But the bench leaves a lot to be desired. So far, it’s just former ACC swingmen Terance Mann, Luke Kennard and Justise Winslow.

After that, it’s the rookies filling in for depth. The Clips’ first-rounder, Keon Johnson out of Tennessee, has reportedly been behind on offense after being drafted for his defense and athleticism. Perhaps Boston impresses enough to win minutes over the rawer Johnson and see some spot reserve minutes.

Regardless, BJ Boston seems to be in a much better situation than at Kentucky. And with a little more change in his pocket, at that.