The Boston Celtics could go in a few different directions in the 2025 NBA Draft. This offseason will be a crucial one for the future state of their roster, and nailing their selections in the draft would go a long way. There are plenty of holes to be filled all over the roster.
With questions plaguing the center room, they could scour the class for a new project at the five. Simultaneously, with Jrue Holiday’s [name being thrown around in trade conversations](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/jrue-holiday-next-team-celtics-clearer), adding a guard would be a smart idea, too. All the while, drafting the best player available always seems to be a sound strategy, regardless of team or need.
That’s where Drake Powell could come into play.
**Celtics NBA Draft watch: Drake Powell**
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Powell was born in Durham, North Carolina, and attended Northwood High School. The 6-foot-6 guard choose North Carolina over offers from lots of other top schools (including Florida, Tennessee, and NC State).
In his freshman season with the Tarheels, Powell appeared in 37 games, starting 24 of them, and playing 25.6 minutes per contest. He averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from deep.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Powell measured in at 6-foot-5 and 0.25 inches without shoes. He has a 8-foot-7 standing reach and a 7-foot wingspan. It was the second-longest wingspan of any player his height or shorter, behind only Washington State’s Cedric Coward. Powell weighed in at 200.4 lbs.
**Offense**
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Offensively, Powell projects to be a primarily off-ball threat. At least, that’s what his time at North Carolina taught. He can shoot the ball well off the catch and is capable of putting the ball on the floor in a catch-and-drive role.
Powell seems more comfortable dribbling into the mid-range and shooting from there than he is at taking threes. His form seems a lot smoother when taking pull-ups in the mid-range area than when he’s pulling up from three-point land. The deeper he gets, the more rigid his form begins to look.
Any team that selects Powell will have to be confident that they can smooth out his jumper, and based on his mid-range profile, that should be possible. But in its current state, Powell may not be the three-point threat his numbers say he is.
At the same time, Powell is more than comfortable driving to the lane. He keeps the ball high in the air to avoid getting blocked and does a great job at finishing around the basket with his long, athletic frame.
He’s also a solid passer, but nothing more than a connector, if anything. Putting the ball in his hands leads to more scoring chances than opportunities for others, but in a connector role, he’s more than capable of making the extra pass and finding cutters or open shooters at the three-point line.
Powell’s numbers and role at UNC scream ‘ideal 3-and-D role player,’ but the hint of shot creation and driving ability in the mid-range leave some hope for additional development.
**Defense**
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Just as his wingspan indicates, Powell is a pest on the defensive end. He’s a complete nuisance on the ball, but he poses even more of a threat when he’s playing off the ball.
Powell is extremely adept at helping over in the paint and blocking shots in a variety of different situations. Whether it’s big men working in the post, players driving from the top of the key, or guys cutting in from the wings, he finds a way to send their shots packing.
His long arms also help him as a pickpocket, pestering ball-handlers and stripping them if they fail to keep their handles tight. And as soon as he finds a stray passing lane, he’s off and running in transition.
Though he has a slightly frail frame, his length helps him stick with larger defenders if needed, and his quickness keeps him comfortable against smaller players, too.
Despite that, Powell didn’t manage to rack up stocks at the collegiate level. While there could be some cause for concern there, his measurements and flashes of ability should be enough to have confidence in his defense in the NBA.
**Fit with Celtics**
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Boston already has a packed wing group. Even with Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of next season, they’ll still have Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh on the wing, and that’s without mentioning the likes of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard at the guard position.
Powell would have to fight through some hefty competition in Boston, especially under Joe Mazzulla, who historically doesn’t play rookies much. Still, if the Celtics are hoping to take the most talented player available, Powell has to be on their radar.
He’s a lanky wing who can shoot, drive, and defend at a high level. If they can smooth out his jumper, he could be a legitimate contributor within a few seasons, especially if Tatum’s injury leads to some extra minutes for younger players.
There’s a high chance that Powell doesn’t fall to Boston at pick No. 28, and they may prefer to take a center in that spot, but if he’s available, Powell should absolutely be on the Celtics’ draft board.