The Boston Celtics, fresh off their 2024 NBA championship, made strategic moves in the 2025 NBA Draft to address a transitional offseason marked by a significant roster fire-sale. Selecting Hugo González, a 19-year-old Spanish guard/forward, at No. 28, and Amari Williams, a 23-year-old British center, at No. 46, the Celtics aimed to inject youth into a team reshaped by the departures of key big men Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. While González offers long-term two-way potential, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz argues Williams’ size and skills position him for a quicker impact in the 2025-26 season. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury, can these rookies help keep Boston competitive? Let’s explore their profiles, fit, and chances to shine in a thinned-out frontcourt.
The Celtics’ Offseason Reset: A New Reality
Boston’s 2024-25 season ended with a 61-21 record and a second-round playoff exit, but Tatum’s Achilles injury in Game 4 against the Knicks shifted the franchise’s trajectory. To dodge the NBA’s second apron and its restrictive luxury tax penalties, the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to Portland for Anfernee Simons and two future second-round picks, saving $40 million, and sent Porzingis to Atlanta in a three-team deal with Brooklyn, netting Georges Niang and another second-rounder while avoiding $180 million in potential tax penalties. These moves, per Sporting News, left Boston with only Neemias Queta and Luka Garza as centers, alongside Xavier Tillman, creating a glaring need for frontcourt depth. The team’s 2025 draft strategy—selecting González, Williams, and VCU guard Max Shulga at No. 57—reflects a pivot toward cost-controlled youth to complement stars like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White while staying financially flexible.
Hugo González: High-Upside Wing with Growing Pains
Selected 28th overall, Hugo González, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard/forward from Real Madrid, brings an intriguing skillset. Described by Sports Illustrated as having “one of the most intriguing skillsets in this entire draft class,” González combines a strong frame, athleticism, and a 6-foot-11 wingspan with guard-like ball-handling and shiftiness. His high basketball IQ and defensive versatility—capable of pressuring ball-handlers full-court—make him a fit for Joe Mazzulla’s system, which values relentless defense and off-ball movement. In 2024-25, González averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 14.2 minutes per game for Real Madrid, but his 29% three-point shooting raises concerns in a Celtics offense that led the NBA with 42.5 three-point attempts per game last season.
At 19, González is a long-term investment. Brad Stevens praised his toughness and competitiveness, noting, “He’s got all the intangibles of a winning basketball player.” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony called him “one of the biggest steals” at No. 28, citing his NBA-ready frame and potential as a two-way wing akin to Anthony Black or Christian Braun. However, his limited minutes in EuroLeague and raw offensive game—particularly his jumper—suggest he’s not ready for a major role. With Boston’s wing depth crowded by Brown, White, Simons, and Baylor Scheierman, González may struggle for minutes unless he refines his shooting and adapts to the NBA’s pace, likely spending time in the G League with Maine.
Amari Williams: Immediate Frontcourt Solution
Drafted 46th overall, Amari Williams, a 6-foot-10, 227-pound center from Kentucky, addresses Boston’s urgent need for bigs. A Nottingham, England native, Williams spent four seasons at Drexel, earning CAA Defensive Player of the Year three times, before transferring to Kentucky in 2024-25. There, he averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks on 56.1% shooting across 36 games. His 7-foot-6 wingspan, rim protection, and elite passing—third-best among Division I centers—drew praise from Celtics VP Mike Zarren, who called him “one of the best passing big men in college.” RotoWire compares him to Jakob Poeltl, projecting him as a “reliable rotational big” with defensive acumen and facilitating skills.
Williams’ two-way contract, per Drexel University Athletics, allows up to 50 NBA games while he develops with the Maine Celtics. In Summer League, he averaged 6.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over four games, showing promise as a rim-roller and rebounder. Greg Swartz argues Williams’ size and physical tools give him an edge over González for immediate impact, especially with Boston’s frontcourt thinned to Queta, Garza, and Tillman. His 115 assists at Kentucky tied for the team lead, and his 8.5 rebounds per game address Boston’s 20th-ranked rebounding (43.3 per game in 2024-25). However, his 25% three-point shooting limits his fit in Mazzulla’s spacing-heavy system, and he’ll need to add explosiveness to compete against NBA bigs like Nikola Jokić.
Impact Chances: Williams’ Edge in a Thin Frontcourt
Boston’s roster overhaul and Tatum’s absence create opportunities for rookies, particularly Williams. The Celtics’ frontcourt is critically short, with Queta (1.1 blocks per game last season) and Garza (limited NBA minutes) as the primary centers. Swartz notes, “Williams’ position makes it far more likely that the Boston Celtics will call on his services,” especially after losing Porzingis (7.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks in 2024), Horford (6.4 rebounds), and Kornet (4.1 rebounds). Williams’ rebounding and rim protection could earn him 10-15 minutes per game early, particularly in matchups against physical bigs. His passing aligns with Boston’s movement-heavy offense, which ranked second in assists (26.9 per game). If he excels in the G League, a standard contract is possible, per Swartz, especially if Boston consolidates its roster via trades.
González, while versatile, faces a tougher path. The wing rotation—Brown (26.6 points), White (15.2 points), Simons (22.6 points), and Scheierman (39.1% from three in college)—limits his immediate role. His defensive tools and off-ball cutting could add energy off the bench, but his 29% three-point shooting and inexperience (14.2 minutes per game at Real Madrid) suggest a developmental year. CelticsBlog highlights his fit with Williams as a potential bench duo, with González’s full-court pressure complementing Williams’ rim protection, but his rawness may keep him in Maine longer. Stevens’ decision to bring González over immediately signals confidence, but he’ll need to outshine veterans like Niang or Hauser to crack the rotation.
Risks and Outlook
Williams’ path hinges on translating his college production to the NBA. His Summer League showing was modest, and his lack of offensive polish—especially outside shooting—could cap his role if Boston prioritizes spacing. González’s youth and limited EuroLeague minutes raise questions about his readiness, and a crowded wing depth chart could relegate him to spot minutes or G League stints. Boston’s 2025-26 win projection, per Yahoo Sports, is uncertain without Tatum, with a worst-case scenario of missing the playoffs and landing a 2026 lottery pick. The best case sees Brown, White, and Payton Pritchard stepping up, with rookies like Williams providing depth to stay competitive in the East.
Amari Williams holds the edge for immediate impact in 2025-26 due to Boston’s dire frontcourt needs and his polished defensive and passing skills. His 6-foot-10 frame, rebounding, and rim protection could see him battle Queta and Garza for minutes, potentially earning a standard contract. Hugo González, with his high-upside two-way potential, is a long-term bet but faces stiffer competition and needs to develop his shot to contribute meaningfully as a rookie. As Boston navigates a transitional season, Williams’ readiness and positional scarcity give him a clearer path, but González’s versatility could surprise if he adapts quickly. Celtics fans, who do you see making the bigger splash this season—Williams or González?