Celtics' $14.3 Million Forward Predicted to Have Breakout Season image
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Hugo González could be one of the Boston Celtics' biggest breakout candidates heading into the 2026-27 NBA season.
The 20-year-old forward signed a four-year, $14.3 million rookie contract after Boston selected him No. 28 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. While González didn't put up eye-catching scoring numbers as a rookie, he made a notable impact in other areas of the game.
According to Cleaning the Glass, González posted a plus-9.3 swing rating last season, ranking in the 93rd percentile. That number climbed to plus-27.8 when he played small forward, which ranked in the 100th percentile.
Now, González could have an expanded role after Boston traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. With more opportunities on the wing, the Celtics will need González to turn his defensive impact and relentless energy into more offensive production.
Celtics Wire recently identified González as having the highest ceiling among Boston's young players, while noting that his second season could be the beginning of him growing into that potential. One potential step forward would be improving his 3-point shooting to around 38% while increasing his volume.
González isn't necessarily expected to become a 20-point scorer overnight. But if his offense catches up with the defensive impact he already showed as a rookie, he could establish himself as a key part of Boston's rotation and one of the Celtics' most intriguing young players.
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