When Brad Stevens selected Baylor Scheierman in the first round, it was a declaration. Boston bypassed younger upside swings in favor of a 24-year-old with elite shooting credentials and a veteran’s understanding of spacing. He was supposed to fit now and be the long-term Hauser replacement. Instead, through preseason and four games this season, he has looked stuck in between. He is averaging 7 minutes a game, becoming hesitant to shoot, and playing reactively instead of proactively, as if trying not to make a mistake.
He isn’t missing badly; he’s missing quietly. His touches are limited, his rhythm inconsistent, and for a team desperately needing more firepower, Scheierman has disappointed so far after a promising rookie year. In Boston’s system, a shooter's dream, Baylor has looked anything but a sure thing.
Old Rookie Drafted for Readiness, Delivering Uncertainty, Running Out of Time
Most rookies are judged on flashes. Scheierman is being judged on his play style and fit. He’s not 19 with time to grow into an identity; he’s 25, older than multiple teammates entrusted with larger roles. He was drafted because Brad Stevens thought he was already a pro-ready, polished player.
As the season progresses, Joe Mazzulla’s rotation will tighten. Minutes are earned in real time, not promised. Scheierman’s value is tethered to immediate impact. Every moment on the floor is now an audition.
With Tatum out likely for the entire year, Boston will have the patience to see how he can progress throughout the season. However, being a 2nd-year player at 25 years old, the clock is ticking.
A Roster That’s Moving Without Him
The Celtics are 1-3 currently on the season, but their identity is actively reshaping itself, with or without Scheierman.
Hugo Gonzalez, the 19-year-old rookie, is flashing two-way versatility that Boston can’t ignore. Josh Minott just played his way into the starting lineup with energy and rebounding. Xavier Tillman is locked in as a trusted rotation big. Even Jordan Walsh is earning defensive respect.
Meanwhile, Scheierman is stuck in basketball purgatory: too valuable a piece to bench outright, but not impactful enough to demand a role. Boston needs shooting, ball movement, and toughness on the wing. On paper, that’s exactly who Scheierman is. In reality, it’s who he needs to become.
Because if he doesn’t take his spot, someone else already is.
Boston’s Slow Start Has Turned Up the Heat
The Celtics opened the year with three straight losses by a combined 17 points. They were all winnable games where role players failed to deliver in key moments and make shots. Without Tatum, Boston cannot afford passive rotational pieces. They need contributors who seize the moment and will hit the clutch shot when JT and Jaylen Brown are getting doubled.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about urgency. Scheierman’s shooting should be a weapon. His rebounding should ignite transition. His maturity should stabilize the bench unit. But right now, he’s drifting through minutes instead of shining in them.
A Narrow Path Forward…But It Still Exists
The door is still wide open. Scheierman’s skill set is tailor-made for playing alongside stars: quick decision-making, deep range, spreading the floor, and hustling for rebounds and on defense. He doesn’t need to be a star. He only needs to be himself, fit into that Hauser role, and master it.
His 6’6” frame, lefty stroke, and proven track record still make him one of the most scalable players on the roster. Boston’s system is perfect for a team player who can hit threes, move the rock, and compete on the glass. Scheierman can be that player if he really wants it.
Baylor has only scored 3 total points in four games this season, which is just not good enough. He also struggled in the preseason, missing all but six of his 30 attempts, a measely 20% from the floor.
Scheierman wasn’t drafted to be developed; he was drafted to deliver instantly. Boston’s 1-3 start has accelerated the urgency, and the Celtics aren’t waiting for potential to catch up to the moment. They need answers. They need impact. They need players who make the promise of this roster real.
Scheierman still has the tools. But in Boston, tools don’t matter without production.
The window is still open, but it’s closing fast.