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Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens during a game against the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025
The Boston Celtics have shown little sign of slowing down, even without Jayson Tatum in the lineup, improving to an impressive 41-20 on the season and reinforcing their standing among the Eastern Conference elite.
On Monday, Boston delivered one of its most complete performances of the year, cruising past the Milwaukee Bucks 108-81 to secure a third straight victory.
The win came without Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined due to illness, further underlining the depth of the roster.
In Brown’s absence, rookie Hugo Gonzalez seized the opportunity with a career-best showing, posting 18 points, 16 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
His breakout night served as a timely reminder of the value of high-upside, cost-controlled youth on a championship-caliber team.
Boston Celtics Salary Structure Makes Draft Pipeline Increasingly Vital
With Brown, Tatum, and Derrick White already commanding substantial portions of Boston’s long-term payroll, and Nikola Vucevic potentially joining them should he re-sign in unrestricted free agency, the Celtics’ financial maneuverability could tighten in the coming years.
That reality elevates the importance of the 2026 NBA Draft.
For a team intent on contending annually, the draft offers a sustainable pathway to infuse affordable talent without sacrificing flexibility.
Boston maintains control of its future draft capital and is currently slotted towards the back end of the first-round.
In his latest mock draft, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie projected the Celtics to select Michigan center Aday Mara with the 27th overall pick.
The 7-foot-3 junior is averaging 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks across 29 games while shooting an efficient 67.7% from the field.
After two limited seasons at UCLA, Mara transferred to Michigan via the NCAA transfer portal and has since developed into a legitimate NBA prospect.
“Mara has worked his way back into draft consideration by being one of the best shot blockers in college basketball while also being arguably the best passing 7-footer,” Vecenie wrote. “He’s swatting nearly three attempts per game, contesting everything on the interior when he’s set.”
“Michigan uses his creativity and intelligence on offense well by having him sometimes initiate sets out high or on the wing as a passer, where he’s elite at finding cutters from all sorts of fun looks.”
Mara’s Rim Protection and Skill Set Offer Long-Term Upside
Mara’s defensive presence has been particularly eye-catching. His 76 total blocks rank sixth nationally, while his 2.6 blocks per game sit fourth in the country.
Offensively, he has shown flashes of scoring touch, surpassing 18 points in five games this season, including a 24-point performance in a February win over Ohio State.
In that outing, he also contributed six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks while shooting 11-of-16 from the field.
The Spanish center has secured double-digit rebounds in six contests and owns a season-high of six blocks, recorded in a victory over Penn State.
He has also swatted five shots in a game twice, reinforcing his interior impact.
Vecenie added that the Michigan big “has the makings of a great NBA big man,” though questions around his athleticism remain.
While late first-round picks inherently carry some risk, Boston’s track record suggests confidence is warranted.
Recent successes, including Gonzalez as a 2025 late first-round selection and Amari Williams as a second-round pick in the same draft, highlight the front office’s ability to extract value beyond the lottery.
For a Boston Celtics franchise striving to compete now while safeguarding its future, prospects like Mara represent more than depth. They symbolize a strategic bridge, one that connects immediate championship aspirations with sustainable long-term success.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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