NBA Mock Draft 2025: Picking 1st round, Boston Celtics selections
The 2025 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away. While the NBA Finals will wrap up in the coming games, the calendar flips quickly into the offseason. It all starts with the draft, where there could be heavy player movement across the league.
The top-2 picks of the draft seem relatively straightforward, but afterwards, that's where things start to get uncertain. While the 2024 draft was considered one of the weaker ones in recent memory, there's a lot of talent throughout this year's draft.
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The Celtics hold the 28th and 32nd overall pick, so they have some options. There's also always the chance they could look to trade up or down in the draft, depending on what offers are available. The draft is scheduled for June 25-26 with each round taking up one day.
MassLive already looked at four guards, four wings and four big men who the Celtics could pick in the draft. Now, here's a mock draft of every first-round pick, including the Celtics at 28th overall:
No. 1: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Barring any surprise, Flagg is the surefire No. 1 pick going to Dallas. The Mavs get a potential generational star just months after trading away Luka Doncic.
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No. 2: Dylan Harper, Spurs
Harper had a stellar season at Rutgers even though the Scarlet Knights didn't make the NCAA Tournament. Considering his size at 6-foot-6, along with his all-around game, there's a reason why many think he'll be a star at the next level.
No. 3: V.J. Edgecombe, 76ers
One of the most explosive players in the draft, plus he projects well playing both sides of the court at the next level. The Sixers need to hit on this pick after a lost season, so they end up with Edgecombe.
No. 4: Ace Bailey, Hornets
Another Rutgers product in Bailey, the Hornets get another talented wing to go with the rest of their young roster. It's unclear where Bailey will go at the top of the draft, but he's still expected to go off the board quick come draft night.
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No. 5: Tre Johnson, Jazz
The offensive game is there after his lone season at Texas, where he showed off his scoring skills. The defense is another issue, but the Jazz end up taking a high-ceiling guy after they stumbled down the draft lottery.
No. 6: Kon Knueppel, Wizards
Knueppel could end up being picked even earlier as he was a knockdown shooter in his lone season at Duke. He comes in at 6-foot-7 and is considered an NBA-ready prospect, which is another plus since he turns 20 in August.
No. 7: Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans
Fears is one of the youngest players in this year's draft as he reclassified and doesn't turn 19 until October. Despite playing against some grown men in the SEC, Fears led Oklahoma throughout last season. He's shown a mature game despite his age, though he'll have to clean up other areas.
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No. 8: Khaman Maluach, Nets
The 7-foot-2 big man rounds out the talented Duke freshman trio going in the top-10 of the draft. Maluach is a force defensively with his size and skill, though the offensive game will need work at the next level. Nets go upside here.
No. 9: Derik Queen, Raptors
Queen starred at Maryland in his lone season as he impressed on both sides of the court. The offensive game is polished, and while he'll need to bulk up for the next level, his fluidness pops out.
No. 10: Kasparas Jakucionis, Rockets
Jakucionis is another Big Ten product coming out of Illinois as there's a lot to like about his game. He struggled with the physicality and grind of college ball at times, but considering his age, size and overall talent, he projects well to the next level.
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No. 11: Collin Murray-Boyles, Trail Blazers
Murray-Boyles is a strong defender, which is what immediately pops out. He'll need to find a shooting touch in the pros, but his defensive versatility will play in the pros.
No. 12: Carter Bryant, Bulls
Looks the part of NBA athlete coming in at 6-foot-7. Another defensive-minded player who didn't flash too much offensively, though the athleticism and bounce are there.
No. 13: Jase Richardson, Hawks
With the Hawks in limbo, they end up taking Jase, the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson. While Richardson is young and can improve in certain areas, his feel for the game sticks out immediately. The Michigan State product is a bit small so will need to improve his playmaking and bulk up for the pro game. But there's a lot to like.
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No. 14: Noa Essengue, Spurs
The French forward is one of the youngest players in the draft and already possesses impressive size. He'll need to expand his game at the next level to reach star status but already appears to fit athletically.
No. 15: Asa Newell, Thunder
Showed he can be an efficient scorer in his lone season at Georgia. Will need to add some percentage points to his 3-pointer and create more offensively, but looks well moving on defense.
No. 16: Egor Demin, Grizzlies
The Grizzlies pick up another guard after trading Desmond Bane to the Magic. Demin's size and playmaking pop out, potentially lessening the burden on Ja Morant. But Demin will have to be able to shoot in the pros to truly reach his potential.
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No. 17: Liam McNeeley, Timberwolves
McNeeley excelled in his lone season at UConn and now looks like a top-20 pick heading into the draft. Has good size at 6-foot-7 as the Wolves take the wing who can do a little bit of everything, though Minnesota will hope he can shoot better than he did last season.
No. 18: Nique Clifford, Wizards
Clifford will do just about everything as he's coming off a strong season at Colorado State. The 6-foot-6 guard is considered more of a glue guy coming into the draft, and for the Wizards, could be a nice influx of leadership.
No. 19: Danny Wolf, Nets
Wolf is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft considering his size as a 7-footer and playmaking. He doesn't shoot it much, but watching him run in the open court shows why he elected to stay in the draft.
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No. 20: Cedric Coward, Heat
Coward is considered one of the more intriguing players in this draft as a late riser. His 6-foot-5 frame and 7-foot-2 wingspan pop off the page. Had a slow rise starting off at Division III ball, meaning he turns 22 later this year. Was committed to Duke out of the transfer portal, but kept his name in the draft. Also only played six games with Washington State last season. The Heat take the risk with their player developmental staff.
No. 21: Noah Penda, Jazz
High-motor wing who can be disruptive defensively. He'll need to find a shot at the next level, but already looks the part of an NBA player.
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No. 22: Nolan Traore, Hawks
Much like other prospects on this list, Traore will need to smooth out his shooting at the next level. But considering he can bring combo guard skills, the Hawks end up taking him for their backcourt.
No. 23: Joan Beringer, Pacers
Beringer is a bit of a polarizing product, which is why the Pacers end up taking the flier and the risk for him. One of the youngest players in the draft and hasn't played basketball for long, making him a bit of a wild card.
No. 24: Drake Powell, Thunder
Powell, the North Carolina product, is dubbed as one of the most athletic wings in the draft. So Sam Presti ends up getting another standout defensive player in the draft who he hopes can develop his offensive game.
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No. 25: Walter Payton Jr., Magic
Fresh off winning a national championship with Florida, the Magic elect to go with Payton to keep him within the state. The Magic just traded for Bane in a blockbuster deal, but they go with another guard who packs a scoring punch.
No. 26: Will Riley, Nets
Riley showed flashes during his season at Illinois as a tough shot-maker. He's only 19, so there's plenty of talent for a Nets team looking for whatever they can find at this point in the draft.
No. 27: Ben Saraf, Nets
One of the best passers in the draft with good size, the Nets go with another player who could develop down the stretch.
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No. 28: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Celtics
With the Celtics facing a potential big man question mark, they end up getting one of the most experienced players on the board. Kalkbrenner is a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year as the Creighton product reunites with last year's first-round pick in Baylor Scheierman.
No. 29: Maxime Raynaud, Suns
The Suns are looking for some big man depth and they end up selecting the Stanford product who filled up the stat sheet. While Raynaud will need to add to his game to succeed at the NBA level, the Suns get a big body who has a nice scoring touch.
No. 30: Chaz Lanier, Clippers
An older product after playing in five years in college. While he might not end up becoming a star, his shooting prowess and experience stand out at this point in the draft.
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