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Big Pre-Draft Trade Just Threw Wrench in Celtics' Plans

One of Boston's Eastern Conference rivals made a trade on Tuesday that will affect the latter half of the first round in the NBA draft.
ByJovan Alford|
May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla coaches against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla coaches against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

With the Boston Celtics possibly shaking up their roster this offseason, their first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is important, as that player could become an instant contributor.

Last year, the Celtics took Baylor Scheierman with the No. 30 overall pick. Scheierman didn’t play much with the C’s (31 games), as he saw extended minutes in the NBA G League with their affiliate in Maine.

That said, Scheierman could see a bigger role if the roster undergoes significant change. The Celtics currently hold the No. 28 overall pick in this month’s draft, which could get them a player of need.

However, their draft plans may or may not have been altered, thanks to a small trade happening on Tuesday.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Indiana Pacers are trading the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 draft and the rights to Mojave King to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for their own 2026 first-round pick, which New Orleans had.

Instead of the Pacers sitting five spots ahead of the Celtics, it will be the Pelicans. New Orleans is in a weird position after a rough 2024-25 season. 

That said, whoever the Pelicans choose at No. 23 will likely not have a major impact on what Boston does in the first round. 

According to Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo’s latest mock draft on ESPN, the Celtics are projected to take wing Drake Powell out of the University of North Carolina. With Tatum likely out for all of next season, Boston taking a young wing with upside to develop isn’t a bad idea.

If the Celtics don’t take a wing at No. 28, they could also look to address the frontcourt. Boston needs to get younger and more athletic there, with Al Horford being an unrestricted free agent and uncertainty around Kristaps Porzingis’ future with the club.

That said, whatever the Celtics do in the first round, the fanbase hopes that player can be part of the rotation for years to come.

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