The Boston Celtics have a problem. It’s not a bad problem — but it’s a problem nonetheless.
Their starting center, Kristaps Porzingis, is a unicorn when healthy. Their backup, Neemias Queta, had a career year in 2025-26 and earned legitimate rotation minutes. On paper, the center position looks solid.
But here’s the thing about the NBA: you can never have too many big men. Especially big men who can protect the rim, rebound, and do the dirty work in the paint.
And according to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor — one of the most respected draft analysts in the business — the Celtics could be adding exactly that kind of player with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
His name? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn.
Let me break down why this pick makes sense, how Reed could fit alongside Boston’s core, and why he might just be the steal of the entire draft.
The O’Connor Prediction: Reed to Boston at No. 27
Let’s start with the source.
Kevin O’Connor knows the NBA Draft. He’s been doing this for years. He’s connected. He’s accurate. And in his latest mock draft on Monday, he projected that the Celtics will select Tarris Reed Jr. , the 6-foot-10 center from UConn, with the 27th overall pick.
Here’s what O’Connor wrote, and it’s worth reading closely:
“As good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center. Maybe Reed could be that choice. Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker.
But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he wasn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. That story might have changed at the Draft Combine, though, since on multiple occasions Reed looked more nimble moving his feet outside, which could be the key to unlocking his potential.”
Let me translate that: Reed is old-school. He’s not a stretch-five. He’s not going to stand at the three-point line and launch threes. He’s going to be in the paint, banging bodies, grabbing boards, and blocking shots.
But if he showed improved footwork on the perimeter at the combine — the ability to switch onto guards and hold his own — that changes everything. That turns him from a “backup big” into a potential “playoff rotation piece.”
Who Is Tarris Reed Jr.? A Four-Year College Veteran
Let me give you some background on Reed, because he’s not a one-and-done freshman. He’s a grown man.
College career:
First two seasons: Michigan Wolverines
Final two seasons: UConn Huskies
Total games played: 35 last season for UConn
2025-26 stats at UConn:
14.7 points per game
9.0 rebounds per game
Elite shot-blocking numbers (though exact figures vary)
Led UConn to the national title game
Reed is a classic “back-to-the-basket” center. He’s not going to wow you with athleticism. He’s not going to posterize anyone. But he’s going to do the little things — the screens, the box-outs, the hustle plays — that winning teams need.
He’s also a four-year college player. That’s important because it means he’s mature. He’s been through the wars. He’s not going to be overwhelmed by the NBA game. He knows who he is and what he does well.
The Celtics’ Center Situation: Where Does Reed Fit?
Let me break down Boston’s current center depth chart so you understand the landscape.
Kristaps Porzingis – When healthy, he’s an All-Star caliber player. He spaces the floor, protects the rim, and gives the Celtics a unique dimension. But “when healthy” is doing a lot of work. Porzingis has a long injury history. The Celtics can’t rely on him for 82 games.
Neemias Queta – The breakout story of 2025-26. Queta played well enough to earn rotation minutes. He’s a physical presence. He rebounds. He blocks shots. But he’s also limited offensively and can be exposed on the perimeter.
Luke Kornet – A serviceable third-stringer. Not a long-term answer.
Al Horford – He’s 40 years old. He’s still effective in spurts, but Father Time is undefeated. The Celtics need to plan for life after Horford.
The need: A young, physical center who can develop behind Porzingis and Queta, learn the system, and eventually take on a larger role. Someone who can do the dirty work. Someone who doesn’t need plays called for him. Someone who just plays.
That’s Tarris Reed Jr.
The Queta Comparison: Why Reed Could Steal Minutes
Let me address the headline directly.
Neemias Queta had a great year. He proved he belongs in the NBA. But he’s not untouchable. The Celtics’ front office — led by Brad Stevens — is always looking to upgrade. If Reed shows he can do some things better than Queta, he’ll get minutes.
Here’s how they compare:
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The Celtics are always thinking about the future. Reed is five years younger than Queta. He’s on a cheaper contract. And if he develops as hoped, he could be the long-term answer at backup center — or even a starter if Porzingis moves on.
That’s not a knock on Queta. That’s just smart roster management.
What Reed Does Well (The Strengths)
Let me give you a scouting report on Reed’s game.
Rebounding: This is his calling card. Reed averaged 9 rebounds per game in college against high-level competition. He has a nose for the ball. He boxes out. He uses his body. He’s not just tall — he’s strong.
Shot-blocking: Reed is a legitimate rim protector. He averaged over 2 blocks per game at UConn. He has good timing and excellent length. He changes shots even when he doesn’t block them.
Finishing around the rim: Reed shot over 60% from the field at UConn. Most of his baskets came within five feet of the rim. He’s not fancy, but he’s effective. He catches lobs. He finishes through contact. He gets second-chance points.
Screen-setting: Reed is a physical screener. He doesn’t just “fake” screen — he actually makes contact. That’s a lost art in today’s NBA. Guards love playing with big men who actually hit someone.
Durability: Reed played 35 games last season. He’s been healthy throughout his college career. In an era of load management, having a big man who can actually play is valuable.
Where Reed Needs to Improve (The Weaknesses)
Let me be honest about Reed’s limitations, because every draft prospect has them.
Perimeter defense: This is the big one. Reed was not comfortable defending on the perimeter at UConn. He got beaten by quicker players. He struggled to close out on shooters. In the NBA, where every team runs pick-and-roll, that’s a problem.
However… O’Connor noted that Reed looked “more nimble moving his feet outside” at the Draft Combine. That’s huge. If he can develop into a switchable big man — or even just hold his own on the perimeter — his value skyrockets.
Three-point shooting: Reed is not a shooter. He attempted very few threes at UConn. He’s not going to space the floor like Porzingis. In the modern NBA, that’s a limitation. But not every center needs to shoot threes. Rudy Gobert doesn’t. Jarrett Allen doesn’t. Reed can be effective without a three-point shot.
Post moves: Reed is not a polished post scorer. He’s not going to give you 20 points on isolations. He scores off rebounds, lobs, and dump-offs. That’s fine — the Celtics don’t need him to be a scorer. They need him to be a glue guy.
Free throw shooting: Reed shot around 65% from the line at UConn. That’s not terrible, but it’s not great either. It means he can’t be on the court at the end of close games if the opponent is fouling intentionally.
The Development Path: How Reed Fits Boston’s Timeline
Let me paint a picture of how Reed’s career could unfold in Boston.
Year 1 (2026-27): Reed spends most of the season as the third-string center. He gets minutes in garbage time, practices with the starters, and learns from Porzingis, Horford, and the coaching staff. He plays in 40-50 games, mostly in low-leverage situations. He works on his perimeter defense and conditioning.
Year 2 (2027-28): Horford retires. Queta is still the primary backup, but Reed starts to eat into his minutes. He becomes the first big off the bench in certain matchups. He plays 15-18 minutes per night. He shows he can hold his own on defense.
Year 3 (2028-29): Porzingis is 34 years old and showing signs of decline. Reed and Queta split the backup minutes, but Reed starts to separate himself. He’s now a legitimate rotation piece. The Celtics have to decide whether to re-sign Queta or let Reed take over.
Year 4 (2029-30): Porzingis’s contract expires. Reed is now 26 years old — entering his prime. He’s ready to be a starter. The Celtics have their center of the future.
That’s the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario? Reed never develops his perimeter defense, gets exposed in the playoffs, and becomes a career third-stringer. But for the 27th pick in the draft, that’s still a decent outcome.
The Steal Potential: Why No. 27 Could Be a Bargain
Here’s the thing about the NBA Draft: the difference between the 10th pick and the 27th pick is often not as big as people think.
Every year, there are players drafted in the 20s who become quality starters. Every year, there are lottery picks who bust. The key is finding players who fit your system and have a clear path to development.
Reed fits Boston’s system. He’s a big, physical center who can rebound and block shots — exactly what the Celtics need behind Porzingis. He’s mature. He’s coachable. He’s been on the biggest stage (national title game with UConn) and didn’t shrink.
If Reed hits his ceiling, he’s a 14-point, 10-rebound, 2-block center who plays physical defense and does all the dirty work. That’s a starting-caliber player in the NBA. Getting that at No. 27 is an absolute steal.
What the Experts Are Saying
Let me pull in a few more perspectives.
Kevin O’Connor (Yahoo Sports): As quoted above, O’Connor sees Reed as a player who could upgrade Boston’s center position. He notes that Reed’s improved perimeter footwork at the combine is “the key to unlocking his potential.”
Draft scouting reports: Most analysts agree that Reed is a “high-floor, low-ceiling” prospect. He’s not going to be an All-Star. But he’s almost certainly going to be a productive NBA player for 8-10 years. For a team picking at No. 27, that’s exactly what you want.
UConn’s coaching staff: Reed was the heart and soul of UConn’s frontcourt. His coaches rave about his work ethic, his toughness, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. That’s the kind of player Brad Stevens loves.
The Neemias Queta Question: What Does This Mean for Him?
Let me address the elephant in the room: if the Celtics draft Reed, what happens to Queta?
The honest answer: nothing immediately. Queta is still under contract. He’s still the backup center. He’s still a valuable player.
But Reed is five years younger and on a cheaper contract. If he develops, he could eventually surpass Queta on the depth chart. That’s not a threat — that’s competition. And competition makes everyone better.
Queta will have the 2026-27 season to prove he’s the long-term answer. Reed will have the same season to prove he’s the future. May the best man win.
Either way, the Celtics win. They have two young, physical centers competing for minutes. That’s a good problem to have.
Final Verdict: Reed Is the Right Pick
Here’s my honest take.
The Boston Celtics have a clear need at center. Porzingis is great but fragile. Queta is good but limited. Horford is ancient. The Celtics need to add a young big man who can develop into a reliable rotation piece.
Tarris Reed Jr. is that player.
He’s not flashy. He’s not going to sell jerseys. He’s not going to make SportsCenter highlights. But he’s going to rebound, block shots, set screens, and do all the dirty work that winning teams need.
At No. 27 in the draft, you’re not looking for a superstar. You’re looking for a rotation player who can contribute for a decade. That’s exactly what Reed projects to be.
And if he develops his perimeter defense? If he becomes even an average shooter from 15 feet? Then he’s an absolute steal.
The Celtics have a history of finding gems in the draft. Robert Williams was a late first-rounder. Grant Williams was a late first-rounder. Payton Pritchard was a late first-rounder. All of them became key contributors on championship teams.
Tarris Reed Jr. could be the next one.
One thing’s certain: If Kevin O’Connor’s mock draft comes true, Celtics fans should be excited. Not because Reed is a household name. But because he’s exactly what Boston needs.