2026 NBA Draft (Part I)

[Hal14]

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

[redslastlaugh]

Celtics media hasnt really asked Brad what is his draft philosophy. Even the draft press conference last year, a lot of the Q's were about the 2nd apron & ownership change and not questions about the draft. The year before many of the questions were about the championship celebration and the post-draft presser in 2023 was a lot of questions about how Brad feels after trading Marcus Smart etc

Do we even need it spelled out though? It's obvious that the Celts rarely select centers. In the Brad era, I think C's have only taken two bigs in the 1st round -- Kelly O & Timelord (-ex overseas stashes) so it seems an organizational principle to not draft bigmen in the 1st round unless it's irresistible value. Kelly was the first pick after Brad was hired as coach & Olynyk's a shooting PF/C which are required in Brad's offense and then Rob was lottery talent available at #27

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

[djFan71]

Tankathon has us with the 16th pick right now.

A couple of bigs I like who could go in that range.Flory Bidunga and Patrick Ngongba..both players I've mentioned before but just reiterating that..

Those 2 and Steinbach if he lasts.

I'm a little lower on Steinbach..have him in the next tier down from Bidunga and Ngongba..I have Bidunga and Ngongba like 10-17 range..and Steinbach like 22-27 range.

Interesting. I'm the reverse if anything. But I've barely started looking. What puts him lower for you?

[djFan71]

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

Yeah, I'm prepping myself for another defensive wing, lol

[redslastlaugh]

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

Yeah, I'm prepping myself for another defensive wing, lol

Derek Parker of SI.com just released a mock and he has the Celtics taking Yaxel Lendeborg at #14... I know it's December, but Yaxel would not be a surprise if he's the pick

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2026-nba-mock-draft-first-round-projections-as-conference-play-nears

[Larry_Russell]

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

Yeah, I'm prepping myself for another defensive wing, lol

Derek Parker of SI.com just released a mock and he has the Celtics taking Yaxel Lendeborg at #14... I know it's December, but Yaxel would not be a surprise if he's the pick

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2026-nba-mock-draft-first-round-projections-as-conference-play-nears

If we are not able to net a top 6 pick, I would be more than thrilled with Yaxel, I was interested in Yaxel last draft prior him pulling out of it.


Highly switchable defender,
16ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, 40% from 3 on 4.7-3pta, 61.5% from the floor, 82% from the line

Senior drops his stock, but makes him more a plug and play guy in the NBA. Can legitimately start in his first year and spell Tatum from defending the more offensive threat at forward on the other team. Lets Tatum hide a bit defensively.


He is a very unique player. Great 3pt shooter, great rebounder, great defender, very nice athleticism.

6'9 Derrick White.

[Hal14]

Yeah, I'm prepping myself for another defensive wing, lol

Derek Parker of SI.com just released a mock and he has the Celtics taking Yaxel Lendeborg at #14... I know it's December, but Yaxel would not be a surprise if he's the pick

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2026-nba-mock-draft-first-round-projections-as-conference-play-nears

If we are not able to net a top 6 pick, I would be more than thrilled with Yaxel, I was interested in Yaxel last draft prior him pulling out of it.


Highly switchable defender,
16ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, 40% from 3 on 4.7-3pta, 61.5% from the floor, 82% from the line

Senior drops his stock, but makes him more a plug and play guy in the NBA. Can legitimately start in his first year and spell Tatum from defending the more offensive threat at forward on the other team. Lets Tatum hide a bit defensively.


He is a very unique player. Great 3pt shooter, great rebounder, great defender, very nice athleticism.

6'9 Derrick White.

Yaxel is a pretty good prospect. But I think you're overhyping him a bit. If he was really a 6'9" Derrick White, he'd be a top 10 pick..possibly even top 5.

He's on a stacked team with an awesome coach which helps make him look better than he is. Plus he's a 23 year old senior, playing against a lot of 18/19 yr old kids.

He's a senior yet this is the first season of his college where he's actually shooting 3's on decent volume yet we're only like 8 games into the season..let's see how he's shooting later in the season in this - his first season actually playing in a high major conference.

I also don't think he's that good on defense. Just 1 example here at 2:48 when a random guy on North Texas (many on here have probably never even heard of that school) scores on him easily:

Watch on YouTube

There's many other plays last season I saw like that. Vs Memphis last season, Dain Dainja (yes, very cool name lol) had lots of plays where he scored so easily on Yaxel, it was like no one was even defending him. So yeah, I think it's a reach to compare him to a multi time all-defensive player..

I think he is worth a 1st round pick but a late 1st round pick (he's 27th on my board right now). Maybe he ends up being a starter in the NBA but i doubt he would start as a rookie - especially on a team with championship aspirations like we will have next season.

[brackdan70]

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

Yeah, I'm prepping myself for another defensive wing, lol

Derek Parker of SI.com just released a mock and he has the Celtics taking Yaxel Lendeborg at #14... I know it's December, but Yaxel would not be a surprise if he's the pick

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2026-nba-mock-draft-first-round-projections-as-conference-play-nears

I’d be stoked with that pick. He will be almost 24 yo but I think he can play right away.

[djFan71]

I'd be fine with Yaxel, not stoked. I feel like this is the part of year where guys from last year draft are higher than they'll eventually be just due to familiarity.

[Larry_Russell]

Derek Parker of SI.com just released a mock and he has the Celtics taking Yaxel Lendeborg at #14... I know it's December, but Yaxel would not be a surprise if he's the pick

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/2026-nba-mock-draft-first-round-projections-as-conference-play-nears

If we are not able to net a top 6 pick, I would be more than thrilled with Yaxel, I was interested in Yaxel last draft prior him pulling out of it.


Highly switchable defender,
16ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg, 1.4bpg, 40% from 3 on 4.7-3pta, 61.5% from the floor, 82% from the line

Senior drops his stock, but makes him more a plug and play guy in the NBA. Can legitimately start in his first year and spell Tatum from defending the more offensive threat at forward on the other team. Lets Tatum hide a bit defensively.


He is a very unique player. Great 3pt shooter, great rebounder, great defender, very nice athleticism.

6'9 Derrick White.

Yaxel is a pretty good prospect. But I think you're overhyping him a bit. If he was really a 6'9" Derrick White, he'd be a top 10 pick..possibly even top 5.

He's on a stacked team with an awesome coach which helps make him look better than he is. Plus he's a 23 year old senior, playing against a lot of 18/19 yr old kids.

He's a senior yet this is the first season of his college where he's actually shooting 3's on decent volume yet we're only like 8 games into the season..let's see how he's shooting later in the season in this - his first season actually playing in a high major conference.

I also don't think he's that good on defense. Just 1 example here at 2:48 when a random guy on North Texas (many on here have probably never even heard of that school) scores on him easily:

Watch on YouTube

I think he is worth a 1st round pick but a late 1st round pick. Maybe he ends up being a starter in the NBA but i doubt he would start as a rookie - especially on a team with championship aspirations like we will have next season.

He is a stat stuffer Like DWhite.

And he is a senior at almost 24 years of age, that is exactly why he is middle of draft and not a top 5 player. If he was 18 he would be.

[brackdan70]

I'd be fine with Yaxel, not stoked. I feel like this is the part of year where guys from last year draft are higher than they'll eventually be just due to familiarity.

He is really playing well so far this year against good competition.
Just based on his play he is arguably a top 5-10 guy.
He falls a bit because of his age

[Hal14]

I'd be fine with Yaxel, not stoked. I feel like this is the part of year where guys from last year draft are higher than they'll eventually be just due to familiarity.

He is really playing well so far this year against good competition.
Just based on his play he is arguably a top 5-10 guy.
He falls a bit because of his age

I mean, he's played just 4 games this season vs high major teams. Averaging 15 PPG in those 4 games which is decent but not great, especially for a 23 yr old senior..

Again, this is only his first season shooting 3's on decent volume and we're only 7 games into the season..And his defense is decent not that great.

In the top 15-20 or so picks, it's generally best practice to go with a younger, higher upside prospect..rather than a guy who will be 24 as a rookie.

[djFan71]

I'd be fine with Yaxel, not stoked. I feel like this is the part of year where guys from last year draft are higher than they'll eventually be just due to familiarity.

He is really playing well so far this year against good competition.
Just based on his play he is arguably a top 5-10 guy.
He falls a bit because of his age

I mean, he's played just 4 games this season vs high major teams. Averaging 15 PPG in those 4 games which is decent but not great, especially for a 23 yr old senior..

Again, this is only his first season shooting 3's on decent volume and we're only 7 games into the season..And his defense is decent not that great.

In the top 15-20 or so picks, it's generally best practice to go with a younger, higher upside prospect..rather than a guy who will be 24 as a rookie.

Yeah, agreed. I'm not knocking him, but we kinda know who he is and he SHOULD be dominant this year due to his age/physique. But other guys at his position that aren't as well known yet are going to start rising. I feel like he'll drop to the 20s or lower. If we end up there and grab him, great. That NOP 2nd round pick could be a spot for him as well. But, teens or better, we're probably looking at somebody else.

[Hal14]

Those 2 and Steinbach if he lasts.

I'm a little lower on Steinbach..have him in the next tier down from Bidunga and Ngongba..I have Bidunga and Ngongba like 10-17 range..and Steinbach like 22-27 range.

Interesting. I'm the reverse if anything. But I've barely started looking. What puts him lower for you?

Mainly:

a) Bidunga and Ngongba have popped more on film

b) certainty of role and what the player can bring to the table. With Bidunga, it's pretty clear what he can do and what his role would be. He's an athletic, bouncy, high motor, lob catcher/rim protector/rim runner type of big..also has some switchability out on the perimeter. Can see him being perhaps a blend of time Lord and Capela..and this season he's showing improved touch, moves to attack the basket and passing

Ngongba is the starting C for Duke, a top 5 team in the country as a sophomore. That right there is generally enough to warrant top 20 pick consideration..then you add in that his passing is about as good as any big in this draft, he is a pretty good defender and shows flashes of hitting 3's and he's possibly a lottery pick.

With Steinbach, I just have less certainty though about what he can do at an NBA level and what his role would be in the league. I don't really buy the shooting. His size is decent but not great..athleticism is just ok. Passing is ok. Rebounding is very good but I see rebounding as more of like a table stakes thing with bigs. You have to rebound but being a really good rebounder doesn't move me a lot. He cna kind of catch lobs and can kind of protect the rim..he can kind of put the ball on the floor and drive. His defense is decent..

He's good and he's kind of young..I mean, all 3 of these guys are in the same ballpark age-wise..but I just see Steinbach as more of a late 1st rounder, maybe early 2nd rounder..just need to see more..especially vs good teams. I'm very curious to see how he looks when conference play gets rolling..

[brackdan70]

I'd be fine with Yaxel, not stoked. I feel like this is the part of year where guys from last year draft are higher than they'll eventually be just due to familiarity.

He is really playing well so far this year against good competition.
Just based on his play he is arguably a top 5-10 guy.
He falls a bit because of his age

I mean, he's played just 4 games this season vs high major teams. Averaging 15 PPG in those 4 games which is decent but not great, especially for a 23 yr old senior..

Again, this is only his first season shooting 3's on decent volume and we're only 7 games into the season..And his defense is decent not that great.

In the top 15-20 or so picks, it's generally best practice to go with a younger, higher upside prospect..rather than a guy who will be 24 as a rookie.

I am not sure what you are looking at that suggest his defense is “decent”
Advanced metrics are pretty elite.
Mich has had the 5th strongest SOS.
Yes it’s fair to say it’s only 7 games.
And yes he will turn 24 his first NBA season which is certainly worth considering and why he isn’t likely a lotto pick.
If he is around 18-20, which is where the Cs likely pick. Then I think that would be a great pick.
As a top 10 guy…No. in between it’s probably arguable.

[Hal14]

He is really playing well so far this year against good competition.
Just based on his play he is arguably a top 5-10 guy.
He falls a bit because of his age

I mean, he's played just 4 games this season vs high major teams. Averaging 15 PPG in those 4 games which is decent but not great, especially for a 23 yr old senior..

Again, this is only his first season shooting 3's on decent volume and we're only 7 games into the season..And his defense is decent not that great.

In the top 15-20 or so picks, it's generally best practice to go with a younger, higher upside prospect..rather than a guy who will be 24 as a rookie.

I am not sure what you are looking at that suggest his defense is “decent”

The film.

I posted a clip earlier in this thread this morning where a random guard from a small school blows by him off the dribble and scores and mentioned in that post how Dain Dainja from Memphis (who didn't sniff the NBA) scored easily on him many times last season..was almost like he wasn't even there defending.

I've watched quite a bit of his film over the past 2-3 yrs..defensively he's just decent..especially considering how old he is, and level of competition (he played 0 games last season vs high major teams and has only played 4 games this season vs high major teams).

Decent is not bad. I'm not saying he's a bad player or a bad defender. I'm saying he's a 1st round pick..

[djFan71]

I'm a little lower on Steinbach..have him in the next tier down from Bidunga and Ngongba..I have Bidunga and Ngongba like 10-17 range..and Steinbach like 22-27 range.

Interesting. I'm the reverse if anything. But I've barely started looking. What puts him lower for you?

Mainly:

a) Bidunga and Ngongba have popped more on film

b) certainty of role and what the player can bring to the table. With Bidunga, it's pretty clear what he can do and what his role would be. He's an athletic, bouncy, high motor, lob catcher/rim protector/rim runner type of big..also has some switchability out on the perimeter. Can see him being perhaps a blend of time Lord and Capela..and this season he's showing improved touch, moves to attack the basket and passing

Ngongba is the starting C for Duke, a top 5 team in the country as a sophomore. That right there is generally enough to warrant top 20 pick consideration..then you add in that his passing is about as good as any big in this draft, he is a pretty good defender and shows flashes of hitting 3's and he's possibly a lottery pick.

With Steinbach, I just have less certainty though about what he can do at an NBA level and what his role would be in the league. I don't really buy the shooting. His size is decent but not great..athleticism is just ok. Passing is ok. Rebounding is very good but I see rebounding as more of like a table stakes thing with bigs. You have to rebound but being a really good rebounder doesn't move me a lot. He cna kind of catch lobs and can kind of protect the rim..he can kind of put the ball on the floor and drive. His defense is decent..

He's good and he's kind of young..I mean, all 3 of these guys are in the same ballpark age-wise..but I just see Steinbach as more of a late 1st rounder, maybe early 2nd rounder..just need to see more..especially vs good teams. I'm very curious to see how he looks when conference play gets rolling..

Yeah, I gotta watch more, but I've been impressed with Hannes' D in the little I've seen. Better than I expected at least. I gotta watch the other 2 more, but I probably have Bidunga last of the 3 for now. But, again, super early for me.

[redslastlaugh]

Indie draft outlet Swish Theory releases their first 2026 Big Board today, and it's wonderfully swishy!
https://theswishtheory.com/2026-nba-draft-articles/2025/12/2026-nba-draft-big-board-1-0/

They have Hal favorite Pat Ngongba in the top 10!

[djFan71]

Indie draft outlet Swish Theory releases their first 2026 Big Board today, and it's wonderfully swishy!
https://theswishtheory.com/2026-nba-draft-articles/2025/12/2026-nba-draft-big-board-1-0/

They have Hal favorite Pat Ngongba in the top 10!

No Ceilings too.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2026-nba-draft-big-board-v2
Just a list though, no info.
#23 there for Ngongba.

[brackdan70]

I feel like Brad just hates drafting bigs..unless it's very late in the draft.

So I feel like I should adjust my expectations for this pick lol.

Right!!!
I always focus on bigs. It seems like I always want a big and seems like we always need a big.
I have been with the upcoming draft as well…but it strikes me that Queta is legit, and we really just need a serviceable 2nd big ( someone better than Garza/Tillman). Maybe the draft is t the best place to find that guy though I like a lot of dudes that might be there in that 18-30 range.
If Simons is moved or we don’t bring him back it feels like we are light on ball handlers.
Philon, Acuff, Stirtz , De Larrea…seem like some ball handlers that might be there when we pick.
I feel we are all set in wings.