Can the Boston Celtics find a meaningful role player late in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft?
It’s a difficult but doable task.
There were many reasons why the Celtics blew a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, and one of them was a lack of scoring production from the role players/bench.
Outside of Payton Pritchard’s 32 points in Game 4, the bench was largely ineffective in Round 1. Pritchard was the only bench player to score 10-plus points multiple times in the series. The C’s had one or zero bench players score in double-digits in five of the seven games.
Building a stronger supporting cast around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White needs to be a priority for Boston this offseason, and one of the most cost-effective ways to do that is making a good draft pick in Round 1.
The C’s own the No. 27 overall pick in the first round. Some examples of notable players taken in that slot over the last 15 years include Nikola Jovic (Heat, 2022), Cam Thomas (Nets, 2021), Robert Williams III (Celtics, 2018), Kyle Kuzma (Nets, 2017), Pascal Siakam (Raptors, 2016), Bogdan Bogdanović (Suns, 2014) and Rudy Gobert (Nuggets, 2013).
Here’s a list of potential Celtics targets in Round 1 based on recent predictions from experts in 2026 NBA mock drafts.
“Peat was a hot topic at the combine, as teams expressed concern over what appeared to be fully reworked jump-shot mechanics as he struggled in shooting drills. The door remains open for him to return to Arizona, which would give him additional time to solve those issues, with his shot viewed as the primary factor holding him back from having a solid NBA career. Whether he figures it out, his future might ultimately be as a small-ball five, a role that would allow him to use his strength and skill to his advantage while mitigating the potential negative impact of his shot.
“If Peat stays in the draft, teams picking in the 20s will have to consider investing in his development, noting his winning history, sturdy frame, and potential two-way versatility, provided he starts to make open jumpers. The Celtics have done a strong job with internal development and could view this as a value opportunity if he falls.”
“As good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center. Maybe Reed could be that choice. Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he wasn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. That story might have changed at the Draft Combine, though, since on multiple occasions Reed looked more nimble moving his feet outside, which could be the key to unlocking his potential.”
“If Mara wasn’t a part of this draft, the hoops world might be raving about Suigo’s measurements instead. After all, the ‘Italian Wemby’ measured a tick below 7’3″ without shoes and displayed a 9’6″ standing reach with a 7’5.5” wingspan.
“Suigo isn’t super nimble or twitchy, and he doesn’t offer a ton of self-creation, but at his size, he offers an impressive blend of passing feel, shooting touch and above-the-rim finishing. If the Celtics don’t want to cover the cost of Nikola Vučević’s free agency, Suigo could be a fun pivot.”
“Allen is a versatile wing who has both skill and toughness. He can handle, pass, and is a better shooter than his numbers indicate. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who is the type of competitor who should mesh well with Joe Mazzulla and ultimately realize his defensive potential. There is, however, still a possibility that he returns to school.”
“The Celtics might need to go big with this pick, with few options available on the free-agent market or on the current roster. This pick could be traded, of course, but as it stands, Boston will have some choices based on whom falls to them. Ejiofor came in with a 7-foot-2 wingspan at the combine, and an 8-foot-11 standing reach, offsetting his 6-foot-7.5 height measurement. He finished last year strong. Ejiofor is a fast-rising center who needs offensive work but plays with energy and physicality. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last year.”
