Early look at the 2026 draft

[Goldstar88]

From reading a lot of draft sites and mock drafts online, the three most common players they have the Celtics taking seem to be:

Aday Mara (Michigan), Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan) and Patrick Ngongba II (Duke)

What are people's thoughts on these guys, particularly the last two as I admittedly don't know them too well. It's interesting that most of these mocks also seem to have us selecting PF/C. I agree, that's our biggest need.

Mara, there is a lot to like. Giant at 7'3 with a near 7'7 wingspan, elite shot blocker, and really good passing big man. He does make me nervous as a potential "hack a shaq" victim with his poor FT%. His over all strength, stamina, and mobility also worry me. He doesn't move like Chet/Wemby and doesnt have the strength of a Edey or Clingan. I'm comfortable projected Mara as a Kornet level NBA big with some upside as a shot blocker/passer but knowing their are physical limitations that may limit him.

Morez, Ive posted about before. Love his game and fit with the Cs. I know doubt he falls that late or is even a trade up target. My two comps are Not as long but more explosive I Stewart or a high Bball IQ Previous Achiuwa. I think he thrives as a big min backup behind and some times along side Neema

Ngongba, great size, strength and mobility. The big concern i've read is a history of foot issues. I wonder if that pushes him into the draft or he locks in another safe NIL deal? If medicals check out he is probably the only big in this class who I view as a true starting 5. I like a lot of the bigs in this class as high end backups.

Wonder why they have the Celtics taking a C when Queta is playing at such a high level and seems likely to be the Celtics center going forward. Garza or Vooch is a solid enough backup. Feel like the Cs should target a PF. That seems like more of a position of need since they really don?t have a backup for JT. Morez Johnson Jr does look decent.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

[Goldstar88]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

Jalen Green isn?t bad lol. Career averages of 20pts/4rebs/3ast.

Feel like Peterson has more upside than Boozer, tbh. He?s a better athlete, has better size for his position. Feel like Cam is too slow to play the 4 in the NBA. He also plays below the rim which isn?t ideal.

AJ seems to be the best player by a good margin. Then I?d go Peterson or Wilson. I?d probably take Acuff/Flemings over Boozer.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

Jalen Green isn?t bad lol. Career averages of 20pts/4rebs/3ast.

Feel like Peterson has more upside than Boozer, tbh. He?s a better athlete, has better size for his position. Feel like Cam is too slow to play the 4 in the NBA. He also plays below the rim which isn?t ideal.

AJ seems to be the best player by a good margin. Then I?d go Peterson or Wilson. I?d probably take Acuff/Flemings over Boozer.

Oh I agree. Green isn't bad, but he isn't the player you are hoping for if you draft him in the top 3.

Most people think Peterson has better upside. I may not disagree, but I also think he is much more likely just a starting scoring guard in the NBA that never quite breaks into star status. I think Boozer is likely something like Julius Randle. Players like Randle are more rare than players like Jalen Green. So to me, you take the more rare skillset.

[Goldstar88]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

Jalen Green isn?t bad lol. Career averages of 20pts/4rebs/3ast.

Feel like Peterson has more upside than Boozer, tbh. He?s a better athlete, has better size for his position. Feel like Cam is too slow to play the 4 in the NBA. He also plays below the rim which isn?t ideal.

AJ seems to be the best player by a good margin. Then I?d go Peterson or Wilson. I?d probably take Acuff/Flemings over Boozer.

Oh I agree. Green isn't bad, but he isn't the player you are hoping for if you draft him in the top 3.

Most people think Peterson has better upside. I may not disagree, but I also think he is much more likely just a starting scoring guard in the NBA that never quite breaks into star status. I think Boozer is likely something like Julius Randle. Players like Randle are more rare than players like Jalen Green. So to me, you take the more rare skillset.

IDK, feel like Randle is a much better athlete than Cam Boozer is.

[No Nickname]

Hough (#10j for Florida could be a steal.

He looks like the kind of guy the Heat will pick up and be a contributor for a long time

[Who]

Cam Boozer seems like Sengun. Less height. More shooting ability. An offensive dynamo at center.

[Goldstar88]

Cam Boozer seems like Sengun. Less height. More shooting ability. An offensive dynamo at center.

Thing is, I?m not sure Cam Boozer can play center in the NBA at 6?8/6?9 and he seems too slow for a PF. Sengun is 6?11. His size makes up for his lack of athleticism.

[Who]

Cam Boozer seems like Sengun. Less height. More shooting ability. An offensive dynamo at center.

Thing is, I?m not sure Cam Boozer can play center in the NBA at 6?8/6?9 and he seems too slow for a PF. Sengun is 6?11. His size makes up for his lack of athleticism.

6-9 would be big enough. He will be able to defend at a similar level as D Sabonis and those types of bigs. Ground bound bigs who don't protect the rim. Cam Boozer has enough bulk to defend physical bigs and to box out on the boards.

[Celtics4ever]

Luckily, we won' have to worry about picking him.    He will be a tweener like his dad, the players in the NBA are generally stronger and he will loose the physicality edge in the NBA.

[Who]

Maybe Cam Boozer will play PF in the NBA. He will just be a slow footed defender. A poor defender. One of the weaker starting PFs in the league defensively. A lot like Luka Doncic - defensively vulnerable in one-on-ones in space but knows how to play team D, reads the game well and has great hands.

Whether he plays PF or C, the rest of the team will need to have quick footed defensively capable players around him.

Needs to work on his footwork defensively. He reads the game well but his early work before the action often has him in poor position / angles to help & recover. I like how he anticipates and reacts though.

[Ilikesports17]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

The on court product is just so much better for Peterson already than it ever was for Mclemore or Green.

[Who]

Cam Boozer's team offense is going to be exceptional.

* Floor spacing ability. Midrange shot. Long two point shot. Three point shot. Pick and pop threat.

* Lethal short roll threat. His passing ability, his handles, his decision making, his strength and size going downhill to the rim. He will be a nightmare to stop on the short roll. Finding shooters with his passing or getting to the rim / free throw line on the drive.

* Nightmare on switches. His size and strength makes him a tough matchup for any perimeter player who switches onto him. Trying to cover him in the post with those guys will require double teams to stop him. They won't be able to stop him (regularly) one-on-one.

The only area where he doesn't rate as a standout in terms of team offense is transition scoring. Even then, he has a nice array of handles, finishing and passing so even though he is slow he should still be useful in transition.

[Roy H.]

Luckily, we won' have to worry about picking him.    He will be a tweener like his dad, the players in the NBA are generally stronger and he will loose the physicality edge in the NBA.

The thing is, his dad was able to keep his physical edge, which made him an excellent NBA player.  Some undersized guys are like that; even after Elton Brand lost his athleticism he was a load, because he was built like a tree trunk.

Can Cam do that?  I have no earthly idea.  If he can, I'd be fine spending a top-three pick on him.

[Goldstar88]

Luckily, we won' have to worry about picking him.    He will be a tweener like his dad, the players in the NBA are generally stronger and he will loose the physicality edge in the NBA.

His Dad was a tank, though. Even in college.