The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is set for June 23, and the Boston Celtics currently hold the No. 27 pick, giving them plenty of options to consider.
If the Celtics decide to part ways with Jaylen Brown this offseason, they may look to draft a guard. Alternatively, they might choose to bolster their frontcourt to pair Jayson Tatum with a strong teammate. And according to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Celtics have a specific player in mind for that role.
Buckley published a mock draft on Sunday and had the Celtics taking Santa Clara forward Allen Graves with the 27th pick.
“Graves offers far more feel and skill than physical tools, but being good at basketball feels pretty helpful in this profession, right? And analytics say he was way more than good this past season, when he posted the fifth-highest box plus/minus in college basketball.”
That’s an eye-opening statistic. The fifth-highest box plus/minus in all of college basketball. Not just among freshmen. Not just among players from smaller conferences. Among everyone.
Graves played just one season at Santa Clara, averaging 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds over 35 games. It was somewhat surprising that Graves decided to enter the draft process, as he is only a freshman. However, he still has the option to withdraw his name from the draft and return to college basketball for another season.
But if he stays in the draft, the Celtics could have a chance to land a player who might be one of the biggest steals of the entire draft.
Let’s break down who Allen Graves is, why the advanced analytics love him, and whether he’s the right fit for the Celtics at No. 27.
The Graves Profile: Who Is This 6-Foot-9 Forward?
Let’s start with the basics.
Allen Graves is a 6-foot-9 forward from Santa Clara University. He played just one season of college basketball. He averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Those numbers are solid, but they’re not eye-popping. They’re not the kind of numbers that typically scream “lottery pick.”
But here’s what makes Graves intriguing: the advanced analytics.
According to Buckley, Graves posted the fifth-highest box plus/minus in all of college basketball. That’s a metric that measures a player’s overall impact on the court. It accounts for scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defense. And Graves was elite in that category.
He also shot efficiently from every level. He filled the stat sheet. He was a glue guy who made winning plays.
The question is whether that production translates to the NBA.
The Analytics Case: Why Advanced Stats Love Graves
Let’s talk about the numbers.
Box plus/minus is a reliable predictor of NBA success. Players who excel in this metric in college tend to be productive in the pros. It’s not a perfect science, but it’s a strong indicator.
Graves ranked fifth in the entire country. That means he was more impactful than almost every other player in college basketball.
What does that look like on the court? Graves is a forward who can do a little bit of everything. He can score inside. He can step out and shoot. He can pass. He can defend. He’s not a superstar in any one area, but he’s solid in all of them.
That’s the profile of a glue guy. A player who makes his teammates better. A player who does the little things that don’t show up in the box score.
The Santa Clara Question: Level of Competition
Let’s address the elephant in the room.
Santa Clara is not Duke. It’s not Kentucky. It’s not Gonzaga. The West Coast Conference is a mid-major league. The competition is not as strong as the ACC or the Big Ten.
Graves put up his numbers against so-so competition. That’s a fair criticism. Some players dominate against weaker opponents and then struggle when they face elite talent.
But Buckley addressed this directly:
“Granted, this production came in a reserve role against so-so competition at Santa Clara, but maybe he’s just an uber-valuable glue guy hiding in plain sight.”
That’s the million-dollar question. Is Graves a product of weak competition, or is he a legitimate NBA prospect who happens to play at a smaller school?
The analytics suggest the latter. Box plus/minus is adjusted for competition. It accounts for the strength of the opponents. And Graves still ranked fifth in the country.
The Celtics’ Frontcourt Need: What Boston Is Looking For
Let’s talk about the Celtics’ roster.
Boston has Jayson Tatum, one of the best wings in the NBA. They have Kristaps Porzingis, who is a free agent but could return. They have Al Horford, who is 40 years old. They have Neemias Queta, who is a solid backup.
What they don’t have is a young, versatile forward who can grow alongside Tatum.
That’s where Graves fits.
He’s 6-foot-9, which is ideal size for a modern power forward. He can play next to Tatum or behind him. He can be a contributor off the bench or develop into a starter.
The Celtics don’t need a superstar at No. 27. They need a rotation player. They need a glue guy. They need someone who can come in and contribute without demanding the ball.
Graves fits that profile.
The One-and-Done Risk: Will Graves Stay in the Draft?
Let’s talk about the uncertainty.
Graves is only a freshman. He has the option to withdraw his name from the draft and return to Santa Clara for another season. That’s a real possibility.
If he returns, he could improve his stock. He could become a first-round lock. He could prove that his freshman season wasn’t a fluke.
But if he stays in the draft, he could be available at No. 27. And the Celtics could be the team that benefits.
It’s a gamble. But it’s a gamble that could pay off.
The Zach Buckley Comparison: What Other Scouts See
Let’s go back to Buckley’s scouting report.
Buckley didn’t just praise Graves’s analytics. He also noted that Graves “offers far more feel and skill than physical tools.” That’s an important distinction.
Some prospects are drafted based on their athleticism. They jump high, run fast, and have long arms. But they don’t always have the basketball IQ to match.
Graves is the opposite. His physical tools are not elite. He’s not a freak athlete. But he has feel. He has skill. He knows how to play the game.
That’s the kind of player who often outperforms his draft position.
The Celtics’ Draft History: Finding Gems at No. 27
Let’s look at Boston’s track record.
The Celtics have had success drafting at the end of the first round. They selected Baylor Scheierman at No. 26 in 2024. They selected Hugo Gonzalez at No. 30 in 2025. Both have become rotation players.
Brad Stevens has a type: players with multiple years of college experience, high basketball IQ, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
Graves doesn’t have the multiple years of experience. He’s a one-and-done freshman. That’s not typical for a Stevens pick. But his skill set and feel for the game might outweigh his age.
What Graves Would Bring to Boston
Let’s imagine Graves in a Celtics uniform.
He would be a forward who can play either the three or the four. He would stretch the floor with his shooting. He would crash the boards. He would make the extra pass. He would defend multiple positions.
He wouldn’t be a star. He wouldn’t be a primary scorer. But he would be a valuable rotation piece.
In a playoff series, when the game slows down and every possession matters, a player like Graves can make a difference. He’s the kind of guy who gets a steal, grabs an offensive rebound, or hits a timely three.
That’s the value of a glue guy.
The Comparison: Who Does Graves Remind You Of?
Let’s talk about player comparisons.
Graves isn’t a superstar. He’s not going to be the next Kevin Durant or LeBron James. But he could be the next Jae Crowder or P.J. Tucker – a tough, versatile forward who does the little things and earns the respect of his teammates.
He could also be a poor man’s Draymond Green – not as good defensively, but with a similar feel for the game and ability to impact winning without scoring.
If Graves reaches that ceiling, he’ll be a steal at No. 27.
The Boston Celtics hold the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They have needs in the frontcourt. And according to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, they could target Santa Clara forward Allen Graves.
Graves is a 6-foot-9 freshman who posted the fifth-highest box plus/minus in all of college basketball. He’s not an elite athlete, but he has feel, skill, and basketball IQ.
The analytics love him. The question is whether his production translates to the NBA.
He could return to Santa Clara for another season. Or he could stay in the draft and be available for the Celtics at No. 27.
If Brad Stevens believes in the analytics, Graves could be the pick.
And if he is, Celtics fans might be looking at their next great frontcourt find.