A Celtics-slanted 2026 NBA Draft big board

The NBA Draft snuck up on everyone. With all the Giannis Antetokounmpo drama -- and his eventual trade to the Miami Heat -- the draft sort of got tossed onto the back burner. But it’s here nonetheless.

The Boston Celtics have the No. 27 and No. 40 picks this year, and there are plenty of different directions they could go. There are even some rumors that they could trade up.

But this isn’t about trades. This isn’t about Antetokounmpo. This is my final Celtics big board of the draft cycle.

Something to note: After the non-tradable range, this is a Celtics-specific draft board. For example, I think Hannes Steinbach will be selected before Zuby Ejiofor. Long before. But if both were on the board when the Celtics are picking, I believe the Celtics should take Ejiofor.

Steinbach is probably a better prospect because of his youth and potential, but Ejiofor is a better fit for Boston in my eyes. So, it’s not about who the better prospect is. Instead, it’s who I think the Celtics should take.

All that being said, here is my Celtics-specific big board.

The top four (non-tradable)

None of these guys will be available for Boston, nor will Boston be able to trade up this far. We won’t spend much time here.

1. AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Brockton’s own. An elite wing scorer who has the mold to be one of the best two-way players in the league. It’s as simple as that.

2. Cameron Boozer, Duke

An all-around talent who often gets underappreciated because he’s not the most dominant scorer. I see Tim Duncan-esque, quiet production from a guy who will help his team win at the highest level.

3. Darryn Peterson, Kansas

An unfathomably talented bucket-getter and an elite shooter. This top three is one of the most talented we’ve seen in years, and any one of them could be worthy of the No. 1 pick.

4. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

He could be a first-pick option in many other drafts, but that’s how good this year’s class is. An elite off-ball defender who will rack up stocks and buckets at the next level.

The next batch (virtually non-tradable)

It would take a wild, unforeseen trade to get the Celtics into this range. Barring a Jaylen Brown trade for primarily draft capital, they seemingly don’t have the ammo to jump up this high in the draft.

5. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

A downhill attacker with the scoring poise to boot. In a world where Jalen Brunson is the new, Finals-winning prize, Acuff could be next up. He has the strength, he has the scoring, and he has the killer instinct.

6. Kingston Flemings, Houston

In a draft full of promising guards, Kingston Fleming’s dog mentality on the defensive end helps him stand out. There are concerns about his frame, but that can be solved. Mentality can’t. And he has it.

7. Brayden Burries, Arizona

A fiery, drive-oriented combo guard who probably fits best as a two in the NBA. He can handle the ball when needed and could probably play some point guard, but his do-it-all abilities lend themselves more to the two.

8. Keaton Wagler, Illinois

The biggest of the guard group that is projected to go in the top 10. An impressive 3-point shooter with the talent to lead an NBA offense if given the freedom to.

9. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

In my opinion, the most questionable of an extremely talented guard group. He has all the makings of a star point guard in the NBA, but the inefficiency is a cause for caution in my eyes. But again, the skills are absolutely there.

10. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

The poster child for a two-way forward in the NBA. Yaxel Lendeborg has the size to guard multiple positions and the Swiss-army-knife offensive versatility that could slot him into a bunch of different roles.

11. Aday Mara, Michigan

An absolute behemoth in the paint. Aday Mara could step in as an immediate-impact guy in the NBA. His blend of size, skill, and passing touch makes him the most intriguing big-man prospect in this year’s class.

12. Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama

There’s an argument to be made that Labaron Philon Jr. should be lumped in with the guards projected to land in the top 10. He can drive, he can shoot, and he can pass. The frame is a bit of a concern, but he makes up for it with his energy.

13. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

The third Michigan star projected to go in the lottery, and for good reason. A strong, brick-wall big man who could immediately help an NBA-caliber defense. His screening and defensive talent are underrated, but he’s definitely a lottery-level talent.

14. Hannes Steinbach, Washington

On my Celtics-specific board, he would be a bit further down. But there’s no denying the talent here. Elite offensive rebounding, eye-popping drives, and the potential to be a very talented NBA center.

The rest, with a Celtics slant

In theory, if the Celtics put together the right package, they could get up into the middle of the first round. Guys like Philon, Johnson, and Steinbach could even potentially be available to them (Johnson would be a dream).

Getting up into the early 20s would be a lot easier, so long as the Celtics don’t trade the No. 27 pick in a separate deal.

That said, the rest of this big board will have a Celtics slant. That means, to a certain degree, the Celtics’ needs will be kept in mind. If the potential is high enough, it will outweigh things, but for the most part, fit in Boston will take priority.

15. Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

If the Celtics wanted to take a swing at their next guard of the future, look no further. An electric player who can get downhill, score in bunches, and handle the ball. He could be something special.

16. Cameron Carr, Baylor

A beautiful scorer. Cameron Carr can shoot the ball at an extremely high level, and alongside NBA-level spacing, he could take his game to the next level. Add in some creation, and you have a very intriguing prospect.

17. Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s

Zuby Ejiofor is my favorite Celtics target in this draft. Okorie and Carr just barely edge him out on potential alone (mostly because they are projected to be picked way before him), but Ejiofor is my top dog. His defensive versatility, offensive IQ, and shooting potential would fit perfectly in Boston.

18. Sergio De Larrea, Valencia

This is – bar none – the most warped view I have of a prospect compared to the consensus. Sergio De Larrea is projected to go late in the first round, and maybe even in the second. To me, he’s a clear mid-first-rounder. The driving, the passing, the defensive hustle, the shot, the professional experience. It’s all there for me.

19. Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

If you loved Robert Williams III, you’ll love Jayden Quaintaince. Imagine Williams with a bit more of an offensive bag and the ability to drive the ball. Now, also remember the injury concerns. Those exist here, too, as Quaintance was coming off an ACL tear this year and didn’t return well.

20. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

I’m a sucker for some things when it comes to draft prospects. Two of them? A good story, and a dog mentality. Bennett Stirtz has both. Starting out in DII, Stirtz worked his way up to Iowa. He plays with an edge that will give him a leg up in the NBA. He’s a great offensive creator who could help run an NBA-caliber offense.

21. Chris Cenac, Houston

A bet on Chris Cenac is a bet on the Celtics finding their center of the future. His physical tools are nothing short of incredible – 6-foot-10 without shoes on and a 7-foot-5 wingspan. He can move his feet extremely well and has shown flashes of a Naz Reid-like offensive bag.

22. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

This is the type of offensive talent you want at your center position. He’d be a tad small for an everyday center, but Joshua Jefferson is an elite passer, a solid 3-point shooter, and an impressive downhill attacker. Throw in his quality team defense, and he’d be great in Boston.

23. Koa Peat, Arizona

When Koa Peat gets downhill, get out of the way. He’s an explosive athlete with switchy defense potential. Peat can create for himself and is quietly a very impressive passer. If an NBA team can work on his 3-ball, he would be the complete package at the power forward position.

24. Tarris Reed Jr., UConn

Big body. Tough screens. Smart passer. Dog on the glass. What’s not to like about Tarris Reed Jr.? He may be a bit too similar to Neemias Queta for the Celtics to use their first on him, but with his talent, why not?

25. Karim Lopez, New Zealand

Karim Lopez is a big-bodied forward who will probably be off the board in the teens. The shooting needs to come around a bit, but the defense, secondary creation, and size are all there.

26. Nate Ament, Tennessee

A likely top-10 pick, there’s probably no world in which the Celtics land Nate Ament – and that might be for the best. He’s the type of player who needs to go somewhere he can take a lot of shots. The classic boom-or-bust lanky scorer who was inefficient in college.

27. Meleek Thomas, Arkansas

The type of energy-first, hustle player you can mold into a sparkplug. But there’s more. Meleek Thomas also has the pure scoring instincts to make himself a two-way threat. He just needs some developmental time to get there.

28. Dailyn Swain, Texas

An elite driver who had a ton of responsibilities for the Longhorns this past year. He’s a very impressive defensive talent, too. There’s just no 3-point shot there. Picture Josh Hart with even less of a 3-ball. Still a very useful player, but just needs to have some sort of shot development.

29. Isaiah Evans, Duke

The total opposite of Swain when it comes to 3-point shooting. Isaiah Evans is a flamethrower from beyond the arc. One of the best shooters in this year’s class. And he has some great energy on defense. He’s put the ball on the floor a bit more this year, too. All the makings of a great 3-and-D role player.

30. Allen Graves, Santa Clara

This year’s analytics darling. Some people in the NBA Draft community love  Allen Graves. Others don’t see it. What do I see? A solid power forward who can play team defense, shoot the ball, and pass it pretty well. If he can play some small-ball five, there’s something interesting to be found.

31. Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

Christian Anderson will probably be selected in the mid-teens, but there are some red flags here for me. He’s an elite pick-and-roll player, but his size gets in the way at times. He’s a great 3-point shooter, but the defensive concerns are evident. He’ll fit in well on the right team – I just don't think that team is the Celtics.

32. Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

I can’t really explain it. I’m just not a Henri Veesaar guy. He’s a smart screener, a great playmaker in the pick-and-roll, and he can shoot the ball extremely well. The defense is even okay. Objectively a quality big-man prospect. He just doesn’t play with enough of an oomph. Not enough dog.

Potential 40th picks

Obviously, seven more guys have to go before the actual 40th pick. But from here on out, anyone could be picked anywhere. The 32 players listed above are just a tier ahead of the rest. We’ll keep the descriptions brief from here on out.

33. Baba Miller, Cincinnati

Freak athlete. Great driver. Impressive passer. Elite rebounder. Needs to put on some weight to play small-ball center.

34. Alex Karaban, UConn

Potential 3-and-D forward with great feel for the game. Just seems like a guy with role-player potential.

35. Maliq Brown, Duke

Didn’t put up crazy college numbers, but his defensive impact speaks for itself. A couple inches taller, and he would probably be a first-round pick.

36. Richie Saunders, BYU

A high-volume shooter with some secondary creation skills to boot. One of the older players in the draft, but plays with a ton of heart. If he shot this well next to AJ Dybantsa's creation, imagine what he could do alongside Jayson Tatum.

37. Jaden Bradley, Arizona

The lead ball-handler on one of the best college teams in the country last year. Has all the tools to be a quality backup point guard in the NBA.

38. Jack Kayil, Alba Berlin

An overseas product from Germany, Jack Kayil has the skills. He can score the ball well, and if the shot and strength come around, watch out.

39. Ryan Conwell, Louisville

Another in a long line of impressive guards in this year’s class. Ryan Conwell should be able to thrive as a creator and driver at the next level.

40. Braden Smith, Purdue

A well-known college veteran at this point, Braden Smith has been one of the best passers in the NCAA for years. If not for his size, he probably would have been drafted a long time ago.

41. Ugonna Onyeso, Virginia

The polar opposite of Smith when it comes to size. Ugonna Onyeso is one of the weirdest prospects in the class. He didn’t play much, but his elite shot-blocking and size alone should earn him a second-round chance.

42. Emmanuel Sharp, Houston

The heart and soul of Houston’s team, Emmanuel Sharp is a high-motor shot-creator who fights hard on both ends.

43. Nick Martinelli, Northwestern

One of the more unique prospects in the class. Nick Martinelli is a relatively unathletic forward who can shoot the ball extremely well, connect offense at a high level, play his role in a team’s defense, and hustle.

44. Trevon Brazile, Arkansas

If the 3-point shot is real, Trevon Brazile could be an extremely intriguing power forward at the next level. He’s got great defensive versatility.

45. Duke Miles, Vanderbilt

Dog. The type of smaller, perimeter defender that can’t be thrown off his base. He can handle the ball well in the pick-and-roll, too.

46. Otega Oweh, Kentucky

A solid point guard for Kentucky in recent years. If the 3-point shot were a bit more reliable, he’d be higher up on boards. Just a solid, all-around guard.

47. Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt

Shooter of all shooters. Completely unafraid to let it fly whenever he has the ball, and he makes enough of them to warrant that confidence.

48. Mark Mitchell, Missouri

A forward with NBA-level size. The type of big-bodied defense you want to see in your frontcourt. Solid 3-ball (38.8%), but on very, very low volume (1.5 per game).

49. Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State

Worcester’s own. Went to my alma mater, Worcester St., and before that, Quinsigamond (didn’t play, COVID season) and Nichols. He finally got his DI chance, spending two seasons at Tennessee State. He’s got good height for an NBA wing but needs to pack on some pounds. Solid shooter, good hustle, impressive athlete.

50. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

A relatively undersized guard, but a quality offensive creator nonetheless. Shot the ball super well last year, but his size and athleticism create some defensive concerns.