Boston Celtics 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

The Celtics have plenty of looming decisions to make this offseason. Kalkbrenner is a plug-and-play big at the next level, who can contribute immediately on the defensive end of the floor.

Fleming was named to the All-Atlantic 10 first team after averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists on 39% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked 19th in the country in defensive rebounds (227) and second in the conference in double-doubles (9). Fleming brings immense physicality to the court at 232 pounds, while providing consistent floor spacing. He boasts a 7-foot, 4 1/4-inch wingspan that will enable him to defend and protect the rim at the next level. We have him listed a bit lower than most, but that isn't a reflection of his ability or potential: He could go higher.

NBA teams are excited to see Philon up close during the pre-draft process after a breakout freshman season at Alabama that didn't necessarily answer all the questions about his potential as a one-and-done. On the plus side, he's a terrific athlete who played whatever role Alabama asked of him this year. Sometimes he was on the ball, taking ball screens and running the offense. Other times, he was asked to be a secondary ballhandler and attack creases when they presented themselves, then make reads off that to either finish or kick the ball out. On defense, I liked his energy and activity. Philon's draft range is pretty wide right now. He could immensely help himself during the pre-draft process and see himself spike far up the board, or he ends up more in the late-first, early-second range.

Pro Comparison: Will Barton, Keon Johnson

Teams figure to put extra stock into Drake Powell's NBA combine performance and workouts after he spent the year spotting up 49.2 percent of North Carolina's possessions and taking just 5.7 shots per game.

Despite the lack of production, there could still be first-round interest based on his outstanding physical profile, defensive projection and 37.9 percent three-point shooting.

Scouting report: Penda is in the middle of an excellent season in France, as his versatility and strong feel for the game have played an essential role for playoff-bound Le Mans. He is an intelligent passer who slides all over the floor defensively and plays a mature style for a 20-year-old getting his first action in high-level European basketball.

His streaky shooting -- he made 31% of his 3-pointers this season -- is something NBA teams will want to learn more about in the predraft process, along with his average explosiveness. Still, players in his mold are en vogue, provided he can figure out his jumper long term. -- Givony

NBA intel and fit: The Celtics were one of the few teams atop the NBA standings to hold on to their first-round pick, giving them a valuable asset to either add young, cost-controlled talent or explore trade opportunities.

Boston's roster is already littered with players it drafted or developed off the scrap heap, and it will likely need to continue to be creative this summer with several key rotation members aging or approaching the end of their contracts. -- Givony

Traoe was thrust into a huge role as an 18-year-old playing in the top French league, and he turned in a productive but inefficient season that cooled his top-five preseason hype. The 6'5 lead guard might be the fastest player in this class with the ball in his hands, showing outstanding burst attacking the basket with excellent passing vision. He operated at a sky-high 30.1 percent usage rate this year, and he turned in a highly impressive 43.4 assist rate. Traoe just isn't a good outside shooter or finisher right now, and it killed his own scoring efficiency. He finished with 51.6 percent true shooting and only made 31.7 percent of his threes on just under four attempts per game. His speed, passing, and positional size gives him a nice foundation to develop if he starts improving his scoring touch.

Beringer might've been a nice alternative to play Mr. Fantastic had Pedro Pascal said no, because I can't tell you how many times he reached into the frame to eradicate a shot at the rim when I was watching other international prospects this season. That said, any team will need to know going in that Beringer is a long-term investment—he ain't ready to play yet. He'll probably have to join the G League crew in Maine for the foreseeable future, but what better team to sculpt a block of clay like Beringer than a proven development program like Boston's?

There's likely to be signifiant interest from smart teams late in the first round and early in the second round in a young talent like Philon, who flashed major potential in spurts at Alabama as a true freshman. He's an exciting on-ball defender with burst and ball skills to grow into a starting guard. That's hard to find this late in the draft, even if he isn't ready to do so as a rookie.

Al Horford turns 39 this summer and Kristaps Porzingis can't stay on the floor. The Celtics need to start thinking about the future of the center position, and Sorber could absolutely be a steal at this part of the draft. Sorber is unlikely to participate in on-court workouts due to a foot injury that ended his freshman year at Georgetown after just 24 games, but he still projects as a first-round pick due to his brick-house frame and the throwback skill-set to match. He sets strong screens, scores with soft-touch finishes, and has gritty drop-coverage instincts.

If the Celtics are indeed going to make big moves to cut down on their salary number this offseason, then they might need more athletic wings. Thiero fits the bill as a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step. He has severe limitations on offense as a shooter, but if he's able to figure out the shot then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player.