Early look at the 2026 draft

[CFAN38]

Report that the Jazz have reached out to the Wizards about the number 1 pick for Dybantsa.

I get the connection to Utah, but if Dybantsa and Peterson are really in the same tier of prospects, why trade?

I'm going to make a prediction now that Peterson falls in the draft to 3, or even 4.

AJ's ties to Utah make him a franchise changer for the Jazz, if they can trade for him and do not fumble the roster around him there is a possibility he is a career Jazz player. This is not the case with many players.

[CFAN38]

The deadline to withdraw for College players just ended last night. Three names that came down the to wire that could have interesting implications for the Celtics.


Koa Peat, he stayed in after a lot of speculation and I have read reports projecting him 15-25. The general consensus is that his shot is broken and looked terrible at the combine. His trainers are in the process of rebuilding it. He is my ultimate draft enigma. He hits my can't miss prerequisites as a 5 Star recruit (espn gave him a 93), has been a key team USA member (played 27 games from 14-17 avg 14pt 6rb and won 4 golds), and has an elite physical profile (NFL strong Dad and brother NFL lineman). What scares me is the archetype at 6'7 (barefoot) 245lbs with a 6'11.25" he is Julius Randle sized. Randle also came into the league as a non shooter but has developed to a point where its an inconsistent part of his game. Early in the college season he was all but a lottery lock now there is a strong chance he goes in the 20s. I do think he makes for an interesting prospect should he fall to #27 or if the Cs can make a low asset cost trade up into the higher 20s for him. I trust the Cs staff to get the most out of him.

Allen Graves, he is the analytics darling of the draft despite only playing 22mpg off the bench so Santa Clara. Most draft pundits had him pegged to go to LSU or Duke in an attempt to make the Yaxel like jump up in competition to lock himself into next years lottery. He instead stayed in this draft. He is really locked into a true PF size at 6'6.75" 225lbs with a 7' WS without great lateral quickness. The idea with Graves is his stat profile is so intriguing he becomes a ceiling swing his per 36 stats: 41% from 3 on 4.2 attempts, 10.4rb, 2.9 ast, 1.5blks, 3 stl, and only 1.1 TO. The Stocks of 4.5 per 36 is especially interesting. I see think the ultimate vision for Graves is that he gets stronger and is this eras Boris Diaw. A guy who plays winning basketball and fills every corner of the stat sheet. I personally am lower on him out of fear of the physical tools limiting him too much. 

Meleek Thomas,he waited till the absolute last minute but I was happy to see him declare. I have said this before but he would be my choice at guard for the Celtics. He was a little smaller than I had hoped but still measured almost identical to Derrick White. His mix of off ball shooting and the ability to run pick and role makes it easy to see him playing along side any combination of JT/JB/White/PP. I also really came away high on his on ball defense and screen navigation. He has work to do as a team defender but I trust him on the ball right away. He is also another blue chip 5 star guy (93 on espn) who never played for team USA but attended the mini camps. My flawed but favorite predictor for Meleek is Calipari, the track record of his guards is so good that I would be scared to bet against it. I will not be at all shocked if in three years he is playing Immanuel Quickley level basketball and cracking the lottery in a redraft.

[Roy H.]

Tyler Tanner, Jeremy Fears Jr., Milan Momcilovic, Amari Allen, and Billy Richmond III are among six notable prospects opting to return to college.

[slamtheking]

I've seen several recent mocks with the C's taking Veesaar at 27.  his write-up doesn't thrill me -- decent offense but needs a lot of work on D.

anyone have thoughts on him as a pick for the C's?

[obnoxiousmime]

I've seen several recent mocks with the C's taking Veesaar at 27.  his write-up doesn't thrill me -- decent offense but needs a lot of work on D.

anyone have thoughts on him as a pick for the C's?

I think he would definitely be a steal at 27, but the defensive shortcomings lower his ceiling. I imagine he's like a slightly better Mamukelashvili, so you're all smiles when he scores 25 pts with 4 3s and 3 assists against the Wizards in the regular season, but then come playoff time he's riding the pine since he can't deal with the physicality.

It's also a little conflicting because we just got eliminated partially due to a lack of strength and athleticism and everybody is tired of prioritizing 3 pt shooting over seemingly all other considerations. That's why I'd be more interested in drafting an Ejiofor or Reed Jr. instead of another floor spacing big who probably would pick up two quick fouls in two minutes in the playoffs.

I guess what I'm saying is, Veesaar's likely weak points aren't as big a concern if you're drafting him for a specific role and you already have your strong defensive 4s and 5s in place. For example, he'd be great on the Wolves next to Gobert and McDaniels. Since the C's aren't that secure in that area currently, suddenly Veesaar's weaknesses look a lot bigger than his strengths.

[Celtics4ever]

Henri Veesaar recorded a maximum vertical leap of 28  inches and a standing vertical leap of 32  inches at the NBA Draft Combine.

That is the close to the NBA vertical leap average.   He has a standing reach of 9"3" That means with a standing reach he can reach 19" above the rim with a standing leap.  Note elite but servicable.  My concern is his strength more than his athletic ability at 227 lbs with his present build can he hold his position down low.  Neemi 's reach is 9'4" and his vertial was 29.5"   and he could get 21.5" above the rim which is higher than Veesaar on a standing leap.  Neemi weights 248 lbs.

The consensus for UNC big man Henri Veesaar places him anywhere from the late first round to the mid-second round, with many draft boards settling on a range between the 25th and 35th overall picks.  So he is well within our range.

Veesaar can shoot the three.  I would have draft Tarris Reed Jr.   Who has a body who could body up  Embiid.

Tarris Reed standing vertical is 29.5" and his stand reach is 9'2" so in max standing test he is able to reach 19.4" inches above the rim.   He has an NBA body at 265 lbs.   He also has a nice range of low post moves.

One of the things, I heard Stevens say is we need different ways to score.   I think the days of us shooting three all the time will be slightly diminished.  We need different ways to score.  Reed was able to score often double teamed and he adds a physicality we sorely lack down low.  It would be a different option on offense, six more fouls for Embiid and give us some options.  Not saying he will be the pick but my point I will elaborate below.

We got bullied out of the playoffs.   The days of all finesse players like Veesaar need to end.    We need some physical guys who can attack the rim and play physical, not another stretch five.    OKC has been big bodied Wembanyama with mixed success these playoffs but both Western Conference teams are playing physical ba,,.  The Knicks and Sixers play smash mouth ball of highly physical nature that gave us tons of problems the last two years.   Refs seem to be letting guys play more rough.

We must get more physical and tougher as a result.