Baylor Scheierman is still finding his footing in the NBA, but he’s doing it in a place that knows how to develop talent. Now in his second season with the Boston Celtics after being taken with the 30th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old has appeared in 21 games so far this year. And while the flashes are there, consistency remains the next step in his evolution.
Scheierman recently spoke about what it takes to grow your game when you’re not in the regular rotation - and his answer gave a glimpse into the mindset that’s kept him pushing forward.
“It starts with the work here before practice and after practice and on off days,” Scheierman said. “Before we go to the plane, that’s when you continue to get your player development in, continue to make strides in your game.
And then, when you’re in the game, you just try to take it for what it is. If the opportunity comes, you try to make the most of it.
I think I’ve gotten a lot better this year at being better in those pockets.”
That kind of approach isn’t just lip service in Boston - it’s the blueprint. The Celtics have quietly built a reputation for turning raw potential into real production.
Jordan Walsh is the most recent example. Now in his third year, Walsh is putting together a breakout campaign.
Neemias Queta came up through the Maine Celtics system and earned himself a full-time spot. Sam Hauser?
From undrafted rookie to NBA champion and one of the league’s most reliable sharpshooters.
Scheierman’s in a system that rewards work, and he’s showing signs that he’s buying in. His game has always been versatile - a big-bodied wing who can rebound, create off the dribble, and space the floor. That kind of skill set is tailor-made for today’s NBA, especially in a Celtics offense that values movement, spacing, and unselfish play.
But talent alone won’t earn you minutes under Joe Mazzulla. Boston’s head coach has made it clear: roles are earned, not given. And while Brad Stevens retooled the roster this past summer, creating new opportunities for younger players, there’s still a high bar for what it takes to crack the rotation.
So far, Scheierman has shown enough to stay in the mix. But the next step is turning those glimpses into something more steady - making the most of every shift, every loose ball, every open look. That’s how you carve out a role on a contender.
It’s still early in his NBA journey. But if Scheierman keeps leaning into the grind - putting in the work when no one’s watching, staying ready for those “pockets” of opportunity - he could find himself playing a bigger role in Boston’s future.