The Boston Celtics have made it clear this season: they’re not here to tank, they’re here to compete. Despite some offseason chatter from parts of the fanbase about embracing a down year-especially with Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury casting a shadow over the summer-Boston stayed the course.
And so far, that decision’s paying off. At 18-11 and holding the third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are firmly in the playoff picture, not the lottery.
That means when the 2026 NBA Draft rolls around, Boston will likely be making their selection somewhere in the late 20s. They still own their own first-round pick, and while that doesn’t guarantee a home run, it does give the front office a shot to add another piece to an already deep rotation.
According to a recent mock draft from draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman, the Celtics could be eyeing Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson-a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward who’s turning heads with his all-around game. Jefferson isn’t just a big body with upside; he’s showing real polish, particularly as a shooter and playmaker.
Wasserman highlighted Jefferson’s improved shooting stroke, especially from beyond the arc, where he’s knocking down spot-up threes with confidence and fluidity. That’s a big deal for a player his size.
Add in his natural passing instincts-something scouts have long admired-and you’ve got a forward who can keep the ball moving, stretch the floor, and even create a bit off the dribble. His 24-point outing against Iowa was a prime example of what he can do when the offense runs through him.
Confident pull-up threes, decisive drives, smart passes-he was in full control.
The comparison Wasserman draws is to Kyle Anderson-“Slo-Mo,” as he’s known around the league. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
Anderson carved out a 12-year (and counting) NBA career by playing smart, unselfish basketball with a versatile skill set. If Jefferson can follow that blueprint, he could be a valuable long-term piece in any rotation.
Jefferson’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. He’s in his fourth collegiate season, having spent two years at St.
Mary’s before transferring to Iowa State. That experience seems to be paying off.
This season, he’s averaging 17.7 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 55.3% from the field and a scorching 43.3% from three. Those are the kind of numbers that get NBA front offices paying attention-especially when they come from a player with size and versatility.
Of course, if Boston does end up selecting Jefferson, he’ll be stepping into a crowded forward room. Between Tatum, Josh Minott, Hugo Gonzalez, and Jordan Walsh, there’s already a logjam at the four.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Depth is a luxury in today’s NBA, and if Jefferson proves to be the best player available when Boston is on the clock, you take the talent and sort out the minutes later.
The Celtics have shown they’re not afraid to develop young players while chasing wins. If Jefferson ends up in green, he won’t be handed anything-but he’ll have a chance to earn it. And if his current trajectory continues, he just might be ready for that challenge.