The Boston Celtics have a decision to make with the 27th overall pick. Do they use it to add a ready-now contributor? Do they package it in a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Or do they take a swing on a high-upside prospect who might need a few years to develop?
According to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, the Celtics should consider the third option — and the name he’s watching is Allen Graves of Santa Clara.
Graves is a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward who projects as a “strong power forward” in the NBA. He shoots threes. He crashes the offensive glass. He disrupts defensively. He lights up analytic models.
He’s not a finished product. He has athletic limitations. He didn’t test well at the combine. But scouts see something in him — something that could make him a perfect frontcourt partner for Jayson Tatum.
Let me break down why Graves is rising up draft boards, what he would bring to Boston, and why the Celtics should take a flier on him at No. 27.
The Wasserman Prediction: A First-Round Look for Graves
Let me start with the expert analysis.
Jonathan Wasserman is one of the most respected draft analysts in the business. He’s been doing this for years. He knows what he’s talking about.
Here’s what he wrote:
“Scouts are anticipating first-round looks for Allen Graves based on his feel, analytics and specific versatility. He was never going to perform well at the NBA combine, as his athletic limitations are well-documented and mostly accepted. Graves will earn consideration from teams that see value in a strong power forward who shoots threes, thrives under the offensive glass, disrupts defensively and lights up analytic models.”
Let me translate that: Graves isn’t a workout warrior. He’s not going to blow anyone away with his vertical leap or his sprint times. But he’s a basketball player — a smart, productive, versatile forward who does the little things that winning teams need.
The Graves Profile: A Strong Power Forward with Range
Let me give you the full scouting report.
Allen Graves is a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward who played one season at Santa Clara. He appeared in 35 games (starting only four) and averaged:
11.8 points per game
6.5 rebounds
Impressive shooting from three
He’s a true freshman — meaning he’s young. He’s raw. He has room to grow. But he’s confident in his abilities and believes he can develop his skills in the NBA rather than in college.
What he does well:
Three-point shooting. Graves can stretch the floor. He’s a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Defenses have to respect him.
Offensive rebounding. Graves crashes the glass. He’s strong. He’s physical. He fights for second-chance points.
Defensive disruption. He’s not an elite athlete, but he has good instincts. He gets steals. He blocks shots. He makes life difficult for opponents.
Analytics. According to Wasserman, Graves “lights up analytic models.” That means the numbers love him — even if the eye test isn’t always perfect.
What he needs to improve:
Athleticism. This is the big one. Graves is not an explosive athlete. He’s not going to jump over anyone. He’s not going to blow past defenders off the dribble.
Consistency. He started only four games at Santa Clara. He needs to prove he can produce over extended minutes against high-level competition.
Defense on the perimeter. He can guard power forwards, but quicker wings might give him trouble.
The Fit: Why Graves Makes Sense for Boston
Let me talk about the basketball fit.
The Celtics have Jayson Tatum. They have Jaylen Brown. They have Kristaps Porzingis (when healthy). They have Derrick White and Jrue Holiday (if he’s still there).
What they don’t have is a young, physical, floor-spacing power forward who can develop alongside Tatum for the next decade.
Graves could be that player.
Imagine a frontcourt of Tatum and Graves. Tatum draws double-teams. He kicks it out to Graves in the corner. Graves knocks down the three.
Or: Tatum drives. The defense collapses. Graves crashes the offensive glass for a put-back dunk.
That’s the vision.
The Development Path: A Few Years Away
Let me be honest about Graves’s timeline.
He’s not ready to contribute immediately. He’s a project. He needs time to develop his body, his skills, and his understanding of the NBA game.
The Celtics have the luxury of patience. They have Porzingis, Al Horford (if he returns), and Luke Kornet to hold down the frontcourt while Graves develops.
Graves could spend his rookie season in the G League, getting reps and building confidence. He could emerge as a rotation player in Year 2 or Year 3.
That’s the path for most late-first-round picks.
The Giannis Scenario: What If the Celtics Trade the Pick?
Let me address the elephant in the room.
The Celtics are one of the teams pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo. If they land him, the No. 27 pick will almost certainly be part of the package sent to Milwaukee.
In that case, Graves won’t be a Celtic. He’ll be a Buck (or a member of whatever team gets the pick in a three-team deal).
But if the Giannis pursuit falls short — and it might — the Celtics could keep the pick and take a swing on a prospect like Graves.
The Analytic Darling: Why the Numbers Love Him
Let me talk about the analytics.
Wasserman specifically mentioned that Graves “lights up analytic models.” That’s not an accident.
Advanced metrics love players who do the little things: rebound, defend, space the floor, avoid turnovers. Graves does all of that.
His shooting efficiency, his rebounding rates, his defensive impact — they all grade out well.
For a Celtics front office that values analytics (Brad Stevens is a known numbers guy), that’s a huge selling point.
The Athletic Limitations: Acknowledging the Flaw
Let me be honest about the downside.
Graves is not a great athlete. He’s not going to be a highlight-reel dunker. He’s not going to blow by defenders.
In today’s NBA, that’s a concern. The league is faster and more athletic than ever.
But there are plenty of successful NBA players who aren’t elite athletes. They succeed because they’re smart, skilled, and tough.
Graves has those qualities.
The Comparison: A Poor Man’s Al Horford?
Let me make a comparison.
Al Horford was never a freak athlete. He was never the fastest or the highest jumper. But he was smart. He was skilled. He was tough. He could shoot, defend, and pass.
Horford became a five-time All-Star and a beloved Celtic.
Graves is not Horford. He’s not going to be a five-time All-Star. But he could be a poor man’s version — a reliable, two-way power forward who does the little things that help teams win.
That’s valuable in the late first round.
Final Verdict: Take the Swing
Here’s my honest take.
The Boston Celtics should consider taking Allen Graves with the 27th pick — if they keep the pick.
He’s not a sure thing. He has athletic limitations. He needs time to develop.
But he’s a strong, floor-spacing power forward who can rebound and defend. He fits a need. He has upside. And the analytics love him.
In the late first round, that’s all you can ask for.
The Celtics have a history of finding gems in the late first round: Payton Pritchard, Grant Williams, Robert Williams III. Graves could be the next one.
One thing’s certain: If the Celtics take Allen Graves, don’t expect him to contribute right away. But in a few years, he might be a key part of Boston’s frontcourt rotation.