Celtics Should Roll the Dice at the 2025 NBA Draft

Keith SavageJune 24, 20251 Mins read721

Sep 24, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens talks to reporters during media day at Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

With Jayson Tatum potentially facing a season-ending injury and offseason trade rumors swirling, this may be the year the Boston Celtics roll the dice on a high-upside prospect in the NBA Draft.

Boston holds the No. 28 and No. 32 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Traditionally, the Celtics have leaned on a similar draft strategy, which is selecting experienced, multi-year college players. Their recent first-round picks in Baylor Scheierman, Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard fit that mold.

Those picks came during seasons when the Celtics were chasing a title and had little room to develop young talent.

In 2025, Boston has the chance to take a developmental approach. The Celtics also own their 2026 first-rounder, giving them a chance for a high selection in next year’s draft.

Young prospects projected to go around picks 28 and 32

SG Jace Richardson, Michigan State (19)
SF Drake Powell, North Carolina (19)
PG Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (19)
SF Hugo Gonzalez, Real Madrid (19)
C Hansen Yang, Qingdao (19)

Among this group, Saraf is especially intriguing.

The 6-foot-6 Israeli guard has been turning heads in Germany’s Bundesliga, including a standout 20-point performance in Game 3 of the championship series against EuroLeague team Bayern Munich.

While the Celtics haven’t taken an international player in the first round in nearly a decade, Saraf could be worth breaking that trend.

International 2025 NBA Draft prospect Ben Saraf today #NBADraft

— 20 PTS
— 4 REB
— 4 AST
— 2 STL
— 9/15 FG
— 1/3 3P
— 1/3 FT
— 31 MIN pic.twitter.com/yPY4uLbIl8

— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) June 21, 2025

Of course, Boston could stick to its usual blueprint by targeting seasoned collegiate talent.

Veteran prospects projected to go around 28 and 32

PF Danny Wolf, Michigan (21)
C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford (22)
SG Chaz Lanier, Tennessee (23)
C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton (23)
G Kam Jones, Marquette (23)

With veterans Al Horford and Luke Kornet both set to enter free agency, Boston could prioritize an older big man like Wolf, Raynaud, or Kalkbrenner.

Ryan Kalkbrenner seems to increasingly be a name many draft analysts like for the #Celtics. #Hawks (#22) have worked him out and liked him, with Capela's departure likely opening minutes there. Some good notes from a coach who's worked with Ryan below.

I like him for Boston. pic.twitter.com/6Gc47KSHGn

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 23, 2025

The last two times Boston held picks within four spots of each other, the team dealt them on draft night.

As the Celtics head into one of their most uncertain and transitional seasons in recent memory, there’s no better time to take a swing for the fences.

Written by

Keith Savage

Growing up in Boston, Keith developed a passion for the region’s sports teams. His favorite team is the Boston Celtics, and he writes about them for The Lead. Keith has worked as a sports/news TV reporter at WBNG-12 in Binghamton, New York, since June 2024, covering everything from local sporting events to serious crime stories. Before joining WBNG-12, Keith attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where he graduated in May 2024.