Boston Celtics' Biggest Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft
The Boston Celtics' core four of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are all under contract for next season, giving the team lots of options at guard and forward.
The frontcourt remains thin, however, especially with Nikola Vučević hitting free agency and never playing a big role following his trade to Boston. Even if Neemias Queta returns on a team option or new contract, the Celtics could use some big-man depth behind him.
All that said, this isn't a particularly strong center class. Boston could target a big like UNC's Henri Veesaar or Kentucky's Malachi Moreno, hoping that one falls to No. 27.
2025-26 Record: 56-26
Draft Picks: 27, 40
Interior Scoring
In his end-of-season press conference, Brad Stevens made no secret of his desire for more scoring around the rim.
"I think that one of the things that we've got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim," Stevens told reporters. "And I think we need to add to our team to do that."
Boston was dead last in the percentage of team shots that came at the rim, and while more slashing from Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown could help address that, Stevens is right. They probably need a player (or two) more geared toward scoring inside.
Center
Of course, that could be a center. Nikola Vučević is entering free agency, and he didn't really address that need anyway.
Neemias Queta could be a good rim-runner, but he doesn't bring a ton of volume (and certainly doesn't bring much of it of his own accord).
What Boston really needs is a center who's passable on defense and can reliably get his own shot on the other end.
A Jaylen Brown Trade?
Of course, those players don't grow on trees. And given their financial situation (Boston is way over the cap), a trade might be the only meaningful way to address the needs above.
The Celtics have become one of the trendier landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but including Brown's salary ($57.1 million) could also open up the possibility of getting multiple difference-makers for one.
