The end of May is rapidly approaching, meaning the Boston Celtics have had enough time to put their elimination at the hands of the New York Knicks behind them. The Celtics have a big offseason ahead of them as they prepare to trim some fat off what will be the NBA's biggest payrolls next season, leaving time to tell how the front office will make things work.
One way the Celtics can lessen their financial responsibilities is by replacing expensive veterans with members of the incoming rookie class. Boston owns the 2025 NBA draft's No. 28 overall selection, and the latest mock draft has the C's going international with their first-round pick.
Celtics Select France's Joan Beringer at No. 28 in Latest NBA Mock Draft
In their latest 2025 NBA mock draft, The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann and Danny Chau are projecting that the Celtics will use next month's 28th overall selection on France's Joan Beringer. The 6-foot-11 frontcourt prospect most recently helped Cedevita Olimpija win the 2024-25 Slovenian Basketball Cup.
The Ringer duo describes Beringer as a "rim-running screener and a lurker in the short corner," potentially making him a solid addition if pending free agent Luke Kornet leaves town. Even though his shot efficiency and strength need improvement, his performance between the 2024-25 EuroCup and ABA season has Mann and Chau confident that the promising Frenchman can transition to the NBA level.
"Beringer is already shuttling with full-grown ball handlers and blocking their shots at the high point with either hand," Mann and Chau wrote. "He’s a longer-term project but one well worth undertaking."
With Kornet and Al Horford's futures uncertain, and Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a mystery illness that left him depleted throughout the postseason, rolling the dice on Beringer is something the Celtics must consider.
Despite owning a lot less experience than most of his fellow prospects, the 18-year-old big man averaged a solid 4.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 59.7% shooting on 3.3 field-goal attempts per game in 47 outings split between the EuroCup and ABA. With the right coaching, he could be an important part of Boston's bench within the next three or four years.
Having said that, the Celtics' recent international drafting track record hasn't been the best. Boston drafted Yam Madar and Juhann Begarin in the second round of the 2020 and 2021 drafts, respectively, only for neither to ever play with the Celtics, let alone in the NBA at all.
Would things be different with Beringer? Only time will tell, but a winning environment like the one the Celtics have built could be the perfect spot for the French prospect to realize his full potential.