The Boston Celtics may have pulled off the steal of the 2025 NBA Draft - and they did it with the 28th pick.
Enter Hugo Gonzalez, a 19-year-old wing out of Real Madrid who came into the draft cycle with lottery-level buzz - some even had him projected as high as the top five early on. But inconsistent minutes overseas and questions about his readiness caused his stock to slide, and slide hard.
By the time draft night rolled around, Gonzalez had tumbled out of the lottery altogether. Now?
He’s making 11 teams look like they blinked at the wrong time.
Let’s be clear: Gonzalez wasn’t some unknown prospect. He had the physical tools, the defensive instincts, and the upside that usually gets teams excited.
But when Real Madrid didn’t give him a consistent role, the narrative shifted. The Celtics, sitting near the end of the first round, didn’t hesitate - and they’re reaping the rewards.
A Rookie Making a Veteran Impact
Through the early stages of the season, Gonzalez has emerged as a key piece in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation. His defense has been nothing short of elite, especially for a teenager adjusting to the NBA pace.
And the numbers back it up - he leads all rookies in total plus/minus this season. Not just among bench guys or wings - all rookies.
In 341 minutes, Gonzalez sits at a staggering +132. The next closest rookie?
Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe, who’s played more than double the minutes (842) and sits at +94. That’s not just a statistical quirk - it’s a sign of real, on-court impact.
Gonzalez isn’t just surviving in Boston’s system - he’s thriving in it.
Only 20 rookies across the league currently boast a positive plus/minus. Gonzalez’s mark stands out like a beacon. He’s not padding stats on a rebuilding team - he’s contributing meaningful minutes on a contender.
Who Missed? A Long List of Regrets
Let’s run through the 11 teams that had a shot at Gonzalez post-lottery and chose someone else. Some picks made sense at the time.
Some were swings on upside. But all of them are now watching as Gonzalez blossoms in Boston green.
- San Antonio Spurs (No. 14): They went with Carter Bryant.
Right now, there’s a strong argument they’d rather have Gonzalez’s two-way presence.
- **Oklahoma City Thunder (No.
15):** Thomas Sorber was the pick, but he’s missed the entire season due to injury. Gonzalez would’ve fit beautifully in OKC’s defensive-minded, high-IQ system.
- **Portland Trail Blazers (No. 16) & Minnesota Timberwolves (No.
17):** Yang Hansen and Joan Beringer went back-to-back. Both teams could use the defensive intensity and versatility Gonzalez brings nightly.
- Utah Jazz (No. 18): Took Walter Clayton Jr.
- Brooklyn Nets (Nos. 19, 22, 27): Selected Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf.
- Miami Heat (No. 20): Picked Kasparas Jakucionis.
- Washington Wizards (No. 21): Went with Will Riley.
- Atlanta Hawks (No. 23): Chose Asa Newell.
- Sacramento Kings (No. 24): Took Nique Clifford.
- Orlando Magic (No. 25): Selected Jase Richardson.
- Brooklyn Nets (again at No. 26): Added Ben Saraf.
That’s a long list of teams - some rebuilding, some retooling - all of whom could have used a 6'6" wing with elite defensive instincts and a growing offensive game.
Boston’s Eye for Talent Strikes Again
The Celtics didn’t need Gonzalez to be a star right away. With a deep, championship-caliber roster, they could afford to be patient.
But Gonzalez didn’t need time - he came in ready to contribute. His defensive feel, ability to guard multiple positions, and willingness to play within the system have made him an instant fit.
And while his scoring numbers haven’t jumped off the page, he doesn’t need to be a 20-point guy in Boston. He’s giving them exactly what they need: energy, defense, smart decision-making, and a spark off the bench.
It’s still early, but the signs are all there. Gonzalez looks like a player who fell in the draft for all the wrong reasons - and the Celtics were the team smart enough to see through the noise.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes the draft is about upside. Sometimes it’s about fit.
And sometimes, it’s about not overthinking it. Hugo Gonzalez had the tools, the pedigree, and the potential.
Boston saw it. Eleven other teams didn’t.
Now, as the Celtics push toward another deep playoff run, they’ve got a 19-year-old rookie making winning plays - and making a lot of front offices wonder how they let him slip through their fingers.