The Boston Celtics are already looking ahead to the 2026 NBA Draft after an earlier-than-expected first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers. While they hold the 27th overall pick, that doesn't mean they can't find a hidden gem to bolster their roster for next season.

According to Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, the Celtics are projected to select North Carolina center Henri Veesaar—a 7-foot, 17-point-per-game scorer who could step into the role currently held by Luka Garza. "The Celtics prefer filling the floor with shooting threats. Their offense can be especially hard to handle when they deploy a stretch big," Buckley wrote in a recent mock draft. "But they might need new candidates for the role, since Nikola Vučević is a free agent. Luka Garza hasn't proven capable of handling a consistent rotation role."

Buckley sees Veesaar as a perfect fit for Boston's system. "Veesaar, a 7-footer who just buried 42.6 percent of his perimeter shots, could be a suitable stand-in. He might be a lot more than that, since he has shown good agility, smart passing, and enough bounce to make plays above the rim on both ends."

The 22-year-old center brings a wealth of college experience, having played four seasons—three at Arizona and one at North Carolina. After redshirting in 2023-24, he transferred to the Tar Heels for his final season, where he appeared in 31 games and averaged an impressive 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Over his 97-game college career, he posted averages of 9.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

For a Celtics team that values floor spacing and versatility, adding a stretch big who can shoot from deep and protect the rim could be a savvy move. If Veesaar can transition his game to the NBA level, he might just be the missing piece Boston needs to reload for another championship run.