Grading the Celtics’ first-round draft picks of the last decade

The Celtics hold picks No. 27 and 40 in this year’s NBA Draft, which begins with Tuesday night’s opening round. Although Boston will not be positioned to snag a franchise-altering talent, it has added some key pieces outside the lottery thanks to savvy decision-making and some luck.

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Here, with the benefit of hindsight, are grades for the Celtics’ first-round picks of the last 10 seasons, based on draft position.

2016

Jaylen Brown, (3), Guerschon Yabusele (16), and Ante Zizic (23)

B

The Celtics selected Brown with the second of the three first-round picks they received from the Nets in the seismic 2013 trade that sent Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn. If the 2016 draft were redone today, Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP and five-time All-Star, would be taken first overall.

There is a deduction for the other two picks. Yabusele spent a year playing in China and failed to crack the regular rotation during his first two seasons with the Celtics. He spent the next five years overseas before parlaying a powerful run at the Paris 2024 Olympics into an NBA return.

Zizic, a 6-foot-10-inch center from Croatia, remained stashed overseas for one season before being traded to the Cavaliers in the 2017 trade that brought Kyrie Irving to Boston. He played 27 games over three seasons in Cleveland but lacked the foot speed or shooting to stick in the NBA.

The Celtics’ overcrowded roster factored into the decisions to draft Yabusele and Zizic, but the fact that stars Pascal Siakam (27th pick), Dejounte Murray (29) and Ivica Zubac (32) were all chosen soon after makes Boston’s choices sting a bit.

2017

Jayson Tatum (3)

A+

We’re handing out this lofty grade partly because the Celtics once again chose the player who would be taken first overall if the draft were held today, and partly because of the route then-president of basketball operations Danny Ainge took to get to that point.

The Celtics swapped first-round picks with the Nets as part of the 2013 trade and subsequently won the lottery, giving them the first overall choice. For months, most observers pegged Washington star Markelle Fultz as the top pick, but Ainge was captivated by Tatum.

But first, he convinced the 76ers to trade the third overall pick and a future first-round choice in exchange for No. 1 overall. The 76ers chose Fultz, who has played just 260 games over nine seasons and is not currently on an NBA roster. The Celtics were confident that the Lakers would take Lonzo Ball second, and once they did, Ainge swooped in and grabbed Tatum, a four-time first-team All-NBA selection.

2018

Robert Williams (27)

B

If Williams had stayed healthy, he would be viewed as one of the top 10 players in this draft, an impressive result for a player taken near the end of the first round. He showed tantalizing glimpses with the Celtics, particularly during the 2021-22 season, when he averaged 10 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in just 29.6 minutes per game and helped Boston to the brink of an NBA title, all while recovering from a torn meniscus.

But those knee issues have persisted. In October 2023, the Celtics traded Williams to the Trail Blazers in the deal that brought Jrue Holiday to Boston, and he has appeared in just 85 games over three seasons in Portland. Still, Williams was a solid choice at that draft slot, even if Jalen Brunson was taken by the Mavericks six picks later.

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2019

Romeo Langford (14), Grant Williams (22)

C

Langford was just 19 when he was drafted with the pick the Celtics acquired in the 2017 draft trade with the 76ers. Even as he struggled early in his career, Ainge believed he could become a key contributor, thanks to his size and defensive versatility. The leap never arrived. Still, the pick ultimately had value because in 2022, with Langford’s potential still visible, Boston traded him to the Spurs in the Derrick White deal.

Williams was a strong pick at No. 22. He stepped in immediately as a key rotation piece and became a tough, physical defender while also shooting 37.9 percent from the 3-point line during his four seasons with the Celtics. The big miss in this weak draft, in retrospect, was passing up on Nickeil Alexander-Walker at No. 14.

2020

Aaron Nesmith (14), Payton Pritchard (26)

A

The Celtics may have given up too early on Nesmith. The wing was known as a knockdown shooter at Vanderbilt, but after he hit just 27 percent of his 3-pointers during his second NBA season, Boston traded him to the Pacers in the Malcolm Brogdon deal. Nesmith has shot 39.6 percent from the arc over four seasons in Indiana and he helped the Pacers reach the NBA Finals in 2025. But he has been susceptible to injuries, too.

Pritchard will go down as one of the biggest draft steals in Celtics history. The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year was forced to be patient and even requested a trade while he waited for his chance, but now he is a key part of the team’s present and future. The 28-year-old guard averaged 17 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds this season, all career highs. These were two excellent picks at their draft positions.

2021-2023

The Celtics did not have any first-round selections during this three-year stretch. They used second-round selections on Juhann Begarin and JD Davison.

2024

Baylor Scheierman (30)

B

This was president of basketball operations Brad Stevens’s first first-round pick since stepping into this role in June 2021. At 24, Scheierman was an older rookie when he made his NBA debut, and he struggled to make an impact in scattered opportunities.

This past season, he emerged as a dependable part of the regular rotation, and coach Joe Mazzulla’s faith in Scheierman swelled. He made 60 percent of his two-pointers, 39.9 percent of his 3-pointers, was a fearless rebounder, and became a trusted defender, all while playing with a visible swagger.

2025

Hugo Gonzalez (28)

B+

When the Celtics added the then-19-year-old Spaniard last June, it was logical to assume that he might stay stashed overseas for another year to develop. But Stevens made it clear that Gonzalez would join the roster immediately.

The 6-6 wing is already one of the team’s strongest players, and Mazzulla frequently called on him to pester opponents’ stars. If Gonzalez can consistently hit corner 3-pointers, he will become a true weapon for Boston. In a re-draft, he would likely be a lottery pick.

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