The NBA Draft has concluded, and the Boston Celtics welcomed three new players to the organization. After drafting Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez with pick No. 28, Brad Stevens decided to move the teams No. 32 selection for two picks later in the second round, Nos. 46 and 57. In the deal, the Orlando Magic also sent over its 2026 and 2027 second-round picks to Boston.
At No. 46, the Celtics selected Amari Williams, a center out of Kentucky who led the Wildcats in rebounds this past season. To conclude their draft at No. 57, the team selected Max Shulga, a shooting guard by way of Utah State and VCU. Shulga was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year this past season and shot 39.2% from three during his collegiate career.
Brad Stevens went in a smart direction in this draft, ultimately trading for future draft assets instead of trading them away to gain win-now players (Porzingis and Holiday trades). It will allow the team to remain competitive while also having draft picks in future years. As we know, next season will sort of be an "experiment" year with Tatum sidelined and a bunch of new faces added into the fold, so setting up for success when Tatum returns is Stevens' main mission.
In terms of this year's offseason, one pending free agent likely won't be brought back by the Celtics in free agency. Given the draft selection of Hugo Gonzalez, paired with the youth at the wing position in Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh, veteran Torrey Craig has likely played his final game in Boston.
Celtics Likely Won't Bring Torrey Craig Back in Free Agency
Craig, 34, signed with the Celtics after being waived by the Chicago Bulls in February. His playoff experience, paired with his "three and D" playstyle appealed to the Celtics, who took a flier on the veteran after the team traded Jaden Springer at the deadline.
The Columbia, SC native would play in 17 games (3 starts) for Boston, averaging 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds across 11.8 minutes per game in the regular season. Despite being a 35% three point shooter over his career, that number would drop to 29% on 1.8 attempts per game.
In the playoffs, Craig didn't see much playing time outside of coming in for the conclusion of already decided games. When Jayson Tatum went down in Game 4 of the Knicks series, he still wasn't a factor, only playing a combined 13 minutes between Games 5 and 6 as the Celtics season ended.
Torrey Craig back in the C’s facility again today w/ his son.
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 11, 2025
Not unusual for guys to return to their team’s gym ahead of free agency, but was clear how much he enjoyed Boston & built a bond w/ teammates like Tatum. pic.twitter.com/89Py0Itopq
Outside of being a veteran presence, there is no reason to bring Craig back in free agency. With Tatum sidelined this upcoming season, now is the time to see what you have in young wings Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez, if he joins the Celtics this season.
As mentioned before, this is a retool year for Boston. Evaluate your young guys with an increased role in the rotation, as they have failed to get the chance to do with Tatum in the lineup. Craig is in the latter years of his career and his potential is known, unlike Scheierman, a first-round pick in 2024, and Walsh, a second-round pick in 2023.
Hugo Gonzalez is only 19 and remains an unknown, but chances are that he'll be brought over to play for the Celtics next season. If he is, he's another player in a crowded forward room that will need to be evaluated next season or down the line.
Not to mention Sam Hauser, who is still in trade talks after the NBA Draft. He's another wing player that the Celtics would like to play up to his increasing contract extension for next season.
As much as Craig seemed to be a fun teammate to be around, he won't give the Celtics what they need on the court at this point in his career. Much like how Payton Pritchard emerged once given the chance on a nightly basis, the Celtics need to do the same with Scheierman, Walsh and Gonzalez.
Bringing back Craig would not align with the team's timeline, given they just traded Jrue Holiday (34) and Porzingis (29) to get younger players and future draft assets back. If the mission is to get younger, Brad Stevens need to let Craig move on to his next team in July.