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The 2026 NBA Draft begins on June 23 and the Boston Celtics currently have pick No. 27 in the first round. Now, reports have indicated that the Celtics are trying to move up in the first round, though it's unclear if they want to move for a certain player, or if they are trying to move up to build a better trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Assuming the Celtics actually use their picks (also No. 40) on players, there is one potential draft target that is starting to stand out above the rest - at least for me - and that's Henri Veesaar of North Carolina.
Veesaar just wrapped up his junior season at North Carolina, where he helped lead the Tar Heels back to the NCAA Tournament. A 7-footer from Estonia, Veesaar averaged 32 minutes a game for the Heels, scoring 17.0 ppg and averaging 8.7 rebounds.
He shot 60.8 percent from the floor and 42.6 percent from three-point range. He took three 3-pointers a game. He played his first two seasons at Arizona, where he averaged 9.4 ppg as a sophomore.
Henri Veesaar participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. David Banks-Imagn Images. David Banks-Imagn Images
Because he seems like the perfect combination player for the Celtics.
1) The Celtics were a completely three-point dominant team in 2025-26. They need to find more balance in 2026-27. Veesaar allows them to have their foot in both camps. He has the ability to shoot the three and succeed in the pick-and-pop game like Al Horford did, but he also has the size to play the pick-and-roll game, allowing him to get to the rim and not just be a jump shooter.
2) Furthermore, at his size, he can help serve as a rim protector and a rebounder. The Celtics don't need him to be a gamechanger at the rim, but someone who is phyiscal enough to mix it up in the paint is important for this group. Especially as the Eastern Conference continues to have dynamic big men like Joel Embiid.
We recently heard the Celtics connected to Meleek Thomas of Arkansas in a mock draft at ESPN. We covered why that would be a good move - and why it would be a questionable move - at the link above.
On Wednesday, 'The Ringer' ranked Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as the No. 13 player in the NBA.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon's edition of 'The Herd,' FOX Sports radio host Colin Cowherd said he had no problem with Tatum's ranking, citing several reasons why he thinks that Tatum is not the player that some people think that he is.
Cowherd called Tatum "really talented," but said "there are times he doesn't lead, he doesn't initiate, and way too often he doesn't close.'
We took a look at Cowherd's claims and decided if they were true here.
Remember to join our CELTICS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Celtics fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Continue reading...
Assuming the Celtics actually use their picks (also No. 40) on players, there is one potential draft target that is starting to stand out above the rest - at least for me - and that's Henri Veesaar of North Carolina.
About Veesaar
Veesaar just wrapped up his junior season at North Carolina, where he helped lead the Tar Heels back to the NCAA Tournament. A 7-footer from Estonia, Veesaar averaged 32 minutes a game for the Heels, scoring 17.0 ppg and averaging 8.7 rebounds.
He shot 60.8 percent from the floor and 42.6 percent from three-point range. He took three 3-pointers a game. He played his first two seasons at Arizona, where he averaged 9.4 ppg as a sophomore.
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Henri Veesaar participates in the 2026 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. David Banks-Imagn Images. David Banks-Imagn Images
Why is he standing out?
Because he seems like the perfect combination player for the Celtics.
1) The Celtics were a completely three-point dominant team in 2025-26. They need to find more balance in 2026-27. Veesaar allows them to have their foot in both camps. He has the ability to shoot the three and succeed in the pick-and-pop game like Al Horford did, but he also has the size to play the pick-and-roll game, allowing him to get to the rim and not just be a jump shooter.
2) Furthermore, at his size, he can help serve as a rim protector and a rebounder. The Celtics don't need him to be a gamechanger at the rim, but someone who is phyiscal enough to mix it up in the paint is important for this group. Especially as the Eastern Conference continues to have dynamic big men like Joel Embiid.
Other options
We recently heard the Celtics connected to Meleek Thomas of Arkansas in a mock draft at ESPN. We covered why that would be a good move - and why it would be a questionable move - at the link above.
Also in the news for the C's
On Wednesday, 'The Ringer' ranked Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as the No. 13 player in the NBA.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon's edition of 'The Herd,' FOX Sports radio host Colin Cowherd said he had no problem with Tatum's ranking, citing several reasons why he thinks that Tatum is not the player that some people think that he is.
Cowherd called Tatum "really talented," but said "there are times he doesn't lead, he doesn't initiate, and way too often he doesn't close.'
We took a look at Cowherd's claims and decided if they were true here.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Remember to join our CELTICS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Celtics fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Continue reading...
