If the Boston Celtics want to nail the 2025 NBA Draft, they may have to seriously consider trading up. Draft expert Tyler Rucker of [No Ceilings](https://www.noceilingsnba.com/) told Hardwood Houdini that moving up would help the Celtics secure one of the top big men in the class, as they could be looking to add some depth at that position this summer.
“I honestly think they need to go up,” Rucker said. “They should probably try to package 28 and 32 to go up into the early 20s. You can probably find a good big there. After 25 it can drop off pretty rapidly.”
That concept spawns two questions: What teams could the Celtics trade with, and who should they target in the draft?
**What teams could the Celtics trade with?**
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Rucker noted that the Celtics should try to get into the early 20s of the draft. This year, those selections belong to the Miami Heat (20), Utah Jazz (21), Atlanta Hawks (22), Indiana Pacers (23), Oklahoma City Thunder (24), and Orlando Magic (25).
Of those teams, the Jazz, Hawks, and Magic make the most sense as potential trade partners.
If the Celtics want to package picks, Utah may like the opportunity to add two young pieces instead of just one, but that would depend on how much they want someone at pick 21.
Atlanta has some TPEs that they could use to take in salary, so if they wanted someone like Sam Hauser, the Celtics could attach him to their later first and move up (or keep their own pick and add a second first-rounder).
The Magic are in a similar situation. They need to add three-point shooting this summer, and bringing in Hauser would be ideal. They also own the No. 16 pick, which could be more appealing to the Celtics if Orlando wanted Hauser in a deal.
**What draft prospects could the Celtics target?**
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There are some solid big men in the class, and a few could fall to the Celtics at 28. However, there’s also a chance most of them are off the board by then.
[Michigan big man Danny Wolf](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-2025-nba-draft-big-board-danny-wolf-next-rajon-rondo-center-scouting-report-need-al-horford-kristaps-porzingis) is an elite passer who spent most of this past season in a primary facilitator role for the Wolverines. He has good size and has shown some shooting flashes, but there are questions surrounding his defensive identity.
Asa Newell out of Georgia would also be an intriguing prospect. He’s a bit undersized for a center, but he’s a hard-nosed defender who can shoot the ball pretty well.
Guys like Maxime Raynaud, Thomas Sorber, and even Derik Queen (if he falls) could be available to the Celtics, too, depending on how far they trade up.