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Boston Celtics' Brad Stevens prior to a game against the Miami Heat in May 2022

The Boston Celtics continue to deal with the fallout from their disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers.

While head coach Joe Mazzulla is expected to remain in place next season, the roster itself could look noticeably different.

Attention has already started turning toward the changes Boston may need to make in order to return to championship contention next season.

Boston Celtics Could Prioritize Center Position in NBA Draft

Much of the offseason discussion has already centered, and likely will continue to center, around the Celtics’ center rotation.

When Nikola Vucevic arrived in a midseason trade, the expectation was that Boston had found a veteran solution to stabilize an inexperienced and thin frontcourt during another title push.

Instead, there is increasing belief that the veteran big man could depart following an inconsistent spell with the franchise.

Although free agency and the trade market could provide frontcourt options, Boston’s difficult financial situation may place even greater importance on the NBA Draft as a pathway toward maintaining roster balance and long-term sustainability.

The Celtics retain control of their future draft capital and will likely pick toward the back end of the first round.

In his latest mock draft, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie projected Boston to select North Carolina center Henri Veesaar with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“Veesaar is projecting like he prefers to stay in the 2026 draft, and he’d be a pretty excellent fit as a complement for Neemias Queta with the Celtics,” Vecenie wrote. “At 7-foot, Veesaar moves very well for his size and also has a high-end skill set that involves both passing and shooting from distance.”

“For a Celtics organization that really values shooting from the center position — especially as a counter to Queta — Veesaar would tick a lot of boxes as a strong developmental big man who could play minutes as soon as he gets a bit stronger and tougher on the interior.”

Henri Veesaar Emerging as Intriguing Fit

Across 31 games this season, Veesaar averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks, while shooting 60.8% from the field and an impressive 42.6% from three-point range on 3.0 attempts per game.

The Estonian center scored 20 or more points in nine games this season, highlighted by a 28-point outing against Clemson in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

During that performance, he shot 10-of-16 from the field and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, while also recording 17 rebounds, five offensive boards, and two blocks in a dominant all-around showing.

Veesaar enjoyed a breakout junior campaign during his first season at North Carolina following his transfer from Arizona.

His blend of size, mobility, and perimeter shooting as a seven-footer has quickly elevated his standing among NBA scouts.

“He has above-average athleticism and offensive skill for his size and should also be able to hold up defensively in drop coverage,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo recently wrote. “The functionality he offers on both ends should allow him to plug into a rotation next season.”

With the Celtics potentially searching for a long-term answer at center after years of inconsistency in the frontcourt, Veesaar appears to be a natural fit.

At 22-years-old, he projects as a player capable of contributing relatively early in his NBA career while still offering meaningful long-term upside as a late first-round prospect.