Simple Draft takes for 2026

[CFAN38]

Slightly biased bias fans' recent post  https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=110013.msg3349705#new


Has me reflecting on the 2020 draft. That year I had some strong feelings on players and like always I built a board based on multiple factors but had clear guys in each range that I was just really high on. That yeah I was big into RJ Hampton, Maxey, Bane, and Tillman. Last year I was high on Kalkbrenner and Raynaud.


As a break from my normal board and for posterity sake I am just going to leave here a list of guy I really like in this class and who I think outperform where they are projected.

Lottery:
Morez Johnson, my guy for much of this draft cycle who has done from a projected late 1st to now a likely lottery pick. Just a great option as a future 5th starter.

Brayden Burries, not the flashy lottery pick but a guy I trust to be a long term starter on playoff teams.

Mid/Late first

Meleek Thomas, underrated combo guard. Defends on the ball and shoots the 3. I will not be shocked if he goes in the 20s three years from now is going top 10 in a redraft.

Zuby Ejifor, he hearkens back to my past draft loves Tillman and TJD. As an athletic, strong, and versatile big man he will find a role on a good team and return great value in the late 1st.

2nd round

Baba Miller, Writen alot about him but he brings a physical profile and skill set that is typically found in lottery picks. Worth the gamble

Richie Saunders, just an NBA player. Will not be shocked to see him carve out an 8+ year career as a 7th/8th man on good teams

Otega Oweh, Strong, athletic and productive these guys find ways to carve out careers. If he goes in the second round the team drafting him will get instant value on the pick.

Late 2nd/UDFA

Nate Bittle, giant blue chip big man who will never be a starting 5 but has a real chance to stick as a long term back up.
 

[Celtics2021]

I am not on the same page with you on Morez Johnson.  I see the talent and the physical attributes, but either he just loses focus at times or his BBIQ is low.  I watched a lot of his games start to finish, and he would very reliably make some truly boneheaded plays every game.  With the talent disparity in college, and with his team in particular, he could get away with it, but in the NBA I think it will cause him a lot of trouble. 

He is pretty young, and maybe, probably even, he will grow out of it, but he seems like a guy to monitor in a couple of years when his first team is ready to move on.