Celtics 2026 Draft picks

[slamtheking]

Standings as of 3/27/26 at the all-star break

Boston Pick #27
                   Games Behind    Current Wins     Games Left    Last 10
Lakers                 1.5                      47                    9                9-1
NY                       1.0                     48                    8                 7-3
Boston                ---                      48                    10               7-3


--> C's still at 27.  Pick won't get worse than this -  too much of a gap between them and Det with the next best record even with Cade out.  Knicks and Lakers trying to catch the C's in terms of records but I think the only potential threat to get a better record is NY even though they have 2 more losses, the C's seem to be easing into the rest of the schedule after the OKC game apparently taking that as their measuring stick for what they can accomplish.  (JB questionable for the hot Hawks game)  While I'd like a slightly better draft pick, I'd forgo that for a better seed in the second round of the playoffs.

Second Round Pick
Mil - #40  (most favorable of Orl, Det or Mil) 
They're now tie with Chicago for the #39 in terms of record but due to a tie-breaker Mil has the 'bettter' record.  Mil and Chi are pretty isolated in the standings at this point so we'll either get #39 or 40 now.

[slamtheking]

Standings as of 4/13/26 - and of season - final standings

Boston Pick #27
                   Games Behind    Current Wins     Games Left    Last 10
Boston                 ---                      56                    0                8-2


--> C's still at 27.  No battles with other teams for improving their picks (or worsening it) for essentially the past few weeks.  Hopefully someone good is available with this pick.  Would not be surprised if Brad traded this in some manner - either to move up for someone he really likes (doubtful) or to move back to pick up extra second rounders and to get out of the commitment of the cost of a first-round rookie contract.

Second Round Pick
Mil - #40 
Like the first rounder, it could get used in a trade to move up or moved for a couple of future seconds. 


If I've picked up anything from Brad's track record with draft picks, it's that I highly doubt we'll be making picks #27 and #40 even though we could use a couple more players on cheap deals to try to develop as well as keep salary commitments low next year to reset the repeater tax.    We'll just have to wait a little over 2 more months to see what Brad does (although that hasn't stopped him from making a pre-draft deal).  I've had my doubts about Brad's draft picks/strategy prior to this year but with how Baylor, Hugo and Walsh have played, I'd admit to being disappointed if he didn't make at least one pick this year to see him find another draft gem.

[Vermont Green]

Great job tracking this.  I see the drama as more about trading or using the picks more than who the players will be (very hard to predict specific players). 

Walsh, Amari, Shugla, Harper, and Banton are all signed, but on non-guaranteed deals (they are at 14 with all of these assumed on the roster).  Any of them could be released and replaced with a draft pick.  I would guess that Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams and Ron Harper are all going to stick.  Shugla and Banton could be on the bubble at best.  Pick #27 slots at about $2.3M, more than Shugla's deal but less than Banton's.  Shugla could go back on a 2-way, I believe, but I don't think Banton can.  It will come down to if these picks can get a player better than Shugla or Banton.  Or maybe it will come down to saving a few $100,000.

Jordan Walsh       $2,406,205
Amari Williams     $2,150,917
Max Shugla         $2,150,917
Ron Harper Jr.      $2,584,539
Dalano Banton     $2,801,346

Pick #27             $2,334,400

Another off season question, not related to the draft, is if and for what amount they sign Vucevic back.  They will have a fair amount under the Tax (I have it at about $14M) and even more under the 1st apron (I have it at about $22M).  He is likely taking a big pay cut wherever he ends up.  A lot may depend on how Vucevic performs in the playoffs.

[slamtheking]

Great job tracking this.  I see the drama as more about trading or using the picks more than who the players will be (very hard to predict specific players). 

Walsh, Amari, Shugla, Harper, and Banton are all signed, but on non-guaranteed deals (they are at 14 with all of these assumed on the roster).  Any of them could be released and replaced with a draft pick.  I would guess that Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams and Ron Harper are all going to stick.  Shugla and Banton could be on the bubble at best.  Pick #27 slots at about $2.3M, more than Shugla's deal but less than Banton's.  Shugla could go back on a 2-way, I believe, but I don't think Banton can.  It will come down to if these picks can get a player better than Shugla or Banton.  Or maybe it will come down to saving a few $100,000.

Jordan Walsh       $2,406,205
Amari Williams     $2,150,917
Max Shugla         $2,150,917
Ron Harper Jr.      $2,584,539
Dalano Banton     $2,801,346

Pick #27             $2,334,400

Another off season question, not related to the draft, is if and for what amount they sign Vucevic back.  They will have a fair amount under the Tax (I have it at about $14M) and even more under the 1st apron (I have it at about $22M).  He is likely taking a big pay cut wherever he ends up.  A lot may depend on how Vucevic performs in the playoffs.

out of those 5 players at the end of the roster, barring a trade of Walsh, he'll be around and I'm pretty confident that Harper will have a roster spot next season with Walsh.  Williams will likely spend a lot of time in Maine -- he's not ready to back up Q or Garza yet but he'll still be around to develop.  I don't see that changing regardless of what they do with Vuc.  Banton and Shulga are very likely to be elsewhere next season. 

Vuc's new contract will heavily depend on how he performs in the playoffs.  if he doesn't play better than what we've seen so far, pre- or post-injury, I can't see him even getting MLE money.  probably half that.  I wouldn't object to the C's taking a serious look around the league to see if there's a better and more affordable option out there this offseason.   

for the picks, I don't think salary would prohibit Brad from making 2 selections but I just don't get the sense he's looking to add 2 rookies nor add one with a first round guarantee even if it is a low amount and his 2 first rounders so far have looked like they'd go higher in a redraft already.  I do think that staying under the tax for a second season to cut the repeater tax will be a bigger factor than the team has stated.

[tonydelk]

Great job tracking this.  I see the drama as more about trading or using the picks more than who the players will be (very hard to predict specific players). 

Walsh, Amari, Shugla, Harper, and Banton are all signed, but on non-guaranteed deals (they are at 14 with all of these assumed on the roster).  Any of them could be released and replaced with a draft pick.  I would guess that Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams and Ron Harper are all going to stick.  Shugla and Banton could be on the bubble at best.  Pick #27 slots at about $2.3M, more than Shugla's deal but less than Banton's.  Shugla could go back on a 2-way, I believe, but I don't think Banton can.  It will come down to if these picks can get a player better than Shugla or Banton.  Or maybe it will come down to saving a few $100,000.

Jordan Walsh       $2,406,205
Amari Williams     $2,150,917
Max Shugla         $2,150,917
Ron Harper Jr.      $2,584,539
Dalano Banton     $2,801,346

Pick #27             $2,334,400

Another off season question, not related to the draft, is if and for what amount they sign Vucevic back.  They will have a fair amount under the Tax (I have it at about $14M) and even more under the 1st apron (I have it at about $22M).  He is likely taking a big pay cut wherever he ends up.  A lot may depend on how Vucevic performs in the playoffs.

out of those 5 players at the end of the roster, barring a trade of Walsh, he'll be around and I'm pretty confident that Harper will have a roster spot next season with Walsh.  Williams will likely spend a lot of time in Maine -- he's not ready to back up Q or Garza yet but he'll still be around to develop.  I don't see that changing regardless of what they do with Vuc.  Banton and Shulga are very likely to be elsewhere next season. 

Vuc's new contract will heavily depend on how he performs in the playoffs.  if he doesn't play better than what we've seen so far, pre- or post-injury, I can't see him even getting MLE money.  probably half that.  I wouldn't object to the C's taking a serious look around the league to see if there's a better and more affordable option out there this offseason.   

for the picks, I don't think salary would prohibit Brad from making 2 selections but I just don't get the sense he's looking to add 2 rookies nor add one with a first round guarantee even if it is a low amount and his 2 first rounders so far have looked like they'd go higher in a redraft already.  I do think that staying under the tax for a second season to cut the repeater tax will be a bigger factor than the team has stated.

I imagine we make our 1st round pick and trade our 2nd for future 2nds to restock.  The C's are running low on them so I imagine trader brad will stock back up.

[Vermont Green]

I don't think salary would prohibit Brad from making 2 selections but I just don't get the sense he's looking to add 2 rookies nor add one with a first round guarantee even if it is a low amount and his 2 first rounders so far have looked like they'd go higher in a redraft already.  I do think that staying under the tax for a second season to cut the repeater tax will be a bigger factor than the team has stated.

I think it is the other way around.  BOS would save money by letting Banton and maybe Harper go and then filling the spots with the picks.  The difference is only going to be a few $100,000 so I think I agree with you.  Better to keep the vets if you think they can help the team more than a rookie will.

I like to see a couple of developmental prospect on the roster.  You look at Walsh and Scheierman, keeping them really paid off.  They graduated from prospect to useful player.  BOS will have Hugo and Williams as prospects going into next season.  Hugo is closer but I like them both as prospects.   I don't mind adding one rookie to that, maybe 2.  Hugo already is at the post prospect stage even based on this season but depending on how you classify him, Williams and 1 or 2 others is the most amount of prospect I would want to see on the team.  The first rounder has to be on the roster (unless he is a stash).  The second rounder can start on a 2-way.

[slamtheking]

I don't think salary would prohibit Brad from making 2 selections but I just don't get the sense he's looking to add 2 rookies nor add one with a first round guarantee even if it is a low amount and his 2 first rounders so far have looked like they'd go higher in a redraft already.  I do think that staying under the tax for a second season to cut the repeater tax will be a bigger factor than the team has stated.

I think it is the other way around.  BOS would save money by letting Banton and maybe Harper go and then filling the spots with the picks.  The difference is only going to be a few $100,000 so I think I agree with you.  Better to keep the vets if you think they can help the team more than a rookie will.

I like to see a couple of developmental prospect on the roster.  You look at Walsh and Scheierman, keeping them really paid off.  They graduated from prospect to useful player.  BOS will have Hugo and Williams as prospects going into next season.  Hugo is closer but I like them both as prospects.   I don't mind adding one rookie to that, maybe 2.  Hugo already is at the post prospect stage even based on this season but depending on how you classify him, Williams and 1 or 2 others is the most amount of prospect I would want to see on the team.  The first rounder has to be on the roster (unless he is a stash).  The second rounder can start on a 2-way.

I think we're on the same page in terms of salary concerns not being the reason Brad wouldn't add 2 rookies -- the likely reasons he wouldn't add 2 are (1) wanting to add a proven vet over second rookie and (2) wanting to accrue more draft picks by trading for future second rounders