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With Jayson Tatum potentially facing a season-ending injury and offseason trade rumors swirling, this may be the year the Boston Celtics roll the dice on a high-upside prospect in the NBA Draft.
Boston holds the No. 28 and No. 32 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Traditionally, the Celtics have leaned on a similar draft strategy, which is selecting experienced, multi-year college players. Their recent first-round picks in Baylor Scheierman, Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard fit that mold.
Those picks came during seasons when the Celtics were chasing a title and had little room to develop young talent.
In 2025, Boston has the chance to take a developmental approach. The Celtics also own their 2026 first-rounder, giving them a chance for a high selection in next year’s draft.
Young prospects projected to go around picks 28 and 32
- SG Jace Richardson, Michigan State (19)
- SF Drake Powell, North Carolina (19)
- PG Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (19)
- SF Hugo Gonzalez, Real Madrid (19)
- C Hansen Yang, Qingdao (19)
Among this group, Saraf is especially intriguing.
The 6-foot-6 Israeli guard has been turning heads in Germany’s Bundesliga, including a standout 20-point performance in Game 3 of the championship series against EuroLeague team Bayern Munich.
While the Celtics haven’t taken an international player in the first round in nearly a decade, Saraf could be worth breaking that trend.
International 2025 NBA Draft prospect Ben Saraf today #NBADraft
— 20 PTS
— 4 REB
— 4 AST
— 2 STL
— 9/15 FG
— 1/3 3P
— 1/3 FT
— 31 MIN pic.twitter.com/yPY4uLbIl8— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) June 21, 2025
Of course, Boston could stick to its usual blueprint by targeting seasoned collegiate talent.
Veteran prospects projected to go around 28 and 32
- PF Danny Wolf, Michigan (21)
- C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford (22)
- SG Chaz Lanier, Tennessee (23)
- C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton (23)
- G Kam Jones, Marquette (23)
With veterans Al Horford and Luke Kornet both set to enter free agency, Boston could prioritize an older big man like Wolf, Raynaud, or Kalkbrenner.
Ryan Kalkbrenner seems to increasingly be a name many draft analysts like for the #Celtics. #Hawks (#22) have worked him out and liked him, with Capela's departure likely opening minutes there. Some good notes from a coach who's worked with Ryan below.
I like him for Boston. pic.twitter.com/6Gc47KSHGn
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 23, 2025
The last two times Boston held picks within four spots of each other, the team dealt them on draft night.
As the Celtics head into one of their most uncertain and transitional seasons in recent memory, there’s no better time to take a swing for the fences.
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Report: Clubs scrambling for Tottenham sensation who has wowed Thomas Frank during pre-season
Ruben Amorim Gives Bad News On Manchester United’s Transfer Plan
Manchester United fans might need to brace themselves because Ruben Amorim has hinted that the club won’t be bringing in a big-name striker this summer. Instead, the Portuguese head coach is trusting new boys Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to lead the charge up front, with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee told they’ll have to earn their spot in the XI. It is a bold move from Amorim, especially when you see what clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal have been doing. While United’s rivals have splashed out on players like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Viktor Gyökeres to sharpen their attacks, United’s window has been decent, but still not ambitious enough to compete. Amorim Keeps Faith In New Signings So far, United’s major attacking signings are Cunha from Wolves and Mbeumo from Brentford, and they didn’t come cheap. The duo cost the club over £130 million combined, and Amorim is banking on them to take on a bigger role than many initially expected. While both are talented and could lift the team’s attack prowess to a whole new level, neither is a traditional No. 9, which is what makes this all the more interesting. Amorim addressed the media ahead of United’s preseason opener in the U.S. and didn’t hold back when discussing his plans. “They can play as a striker. We have Josh (Zirkzee), we have Rasmus,” he said. “Our focus is to improve the connection between them. I don’t know if the position is there for them. They have to work. They have other players who are fighting for that position. But again, I’m really pleased.” His confidence in Cunha and Mbeumo was not just about what they can do with the ball. He was just as impressed by their attitude off the pitch. “They proved the qualities that they have. They are really humble, that is really important, and the best thing is that they chose to be here,” Amorim explained. “They had other options, Champions League options, and they read everything people say about our club at the moment, but they chose to be here, which is a key point for me.” That last line stands out. In a time when Manchester United wasn’t quite the European powerhouse it once was, players who willingly chose to join, even without Champions League football, carried real value in Amorim’s eyes. Zirkzee and Højlund Must Step Up Amorim does not believe in automatic starters. Both Højlund, who was signed for £72 million, and Zirkzee, who was brought in for £36.5 million, now need to prove their worth all over again. Despite their price tags, they managed just seven Premier League goals last season, which was hardly the kind of return United had hoped for. Although Zirkzee did improve and showed glimpses of brilliance, Rasmus was shy of confidence all season and couldn’t hit the ground running. That internal competition might be what Amorim is banking on. By refusing to guarantee anyone a spot and backing versatile players like Cunha and Mbeumo, he’s trying to create a merit-based culture. United fans have watched their team struggle for goals in recent seasons, and this summer’s transfer approach doesn’t exactly scream “problem solved.” It does not help that teams like Arsenal and Liverpool seem to be pulling further ahead in the attacking department. With Wirtz, Ekitike, and Gyökeres joining their ranks, both clubs are willing to invest heavily in firepower. United, on the other hand, seems to be banking on internal solutions. MetLife Opener Will Reveal a Bunch United’s first friendly in the U.S. is just around the corner. They will face West Ham at MetLife Stadium this Sunday, and all eyes will be on how Amorim sets up his forward line. Will Cunha be pushed into a central role? Does Mbeumo get the nod? Or will Højlund and Zirkzee take their chance to impress and remind everyone why United spent big on them in the first place? One thing is for sure. Amorim will not change his mind anytime soon. Unless a world-class striker suddenly becomes available and affordable, United’s business up front is done. For better or worse, he’s going with what he’s got.
Reds starting pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery
Reds right-hander Carson Spiers will undergo Tommy John surgery that will end his 2025 season and cost him all or virtually all of the 2026 season, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reports. Spiers hasn’t pitched since April due to a shoulder impingement, and a minor league rehab assignment that began in early July was cut short when Spiers experienced some biceps soreness. However, an MRI revealed the much worse news of UCL damage, and the righty now faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Spiers has at least been amassing Major League service time while on the Reds’ IL, and he’ll continue to do so during his time on the 60-day injured list in 2026. Given the usual 13-15 month recovery timeline for Tommy John patients, the timing of the surgery makes it unlikely that he’ll be back on a big league mound until the 2027 season, unless Spiers can perhaps get back in time for a peace-of-mind outing or two at the very end of the 2026 campaign. Now in his third MLB season, Spiers was an undrafted free agent from the 2020 class of players who were somewhat left in limbo when the pandemic reduced the 2020 draft to just five rounds. He made it to the Show for a few appearances for Cincinnati in September 2023, and then played a larger role for the Reds last year, tossing 90 2/3 innings while starting 10 of 22 games. His abbreviated 2025 campaign consisted of two starts in three appearance, and 13 1/3 innings. When not starting, Spiers has also operated as a long reliever, bulk pitcher, and a piggyback type of pitcher, so his ability to eat innings was helpful even if the results were shaky. Spiers has a 5.69 ERA over his 117 career frames in the majors, as well as a 19.3% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate. His career Triple-A numbers are a little better, and inflated by the 5.94 ERA he posted in 16 2/3 frames with Triple-A Louisville this year during his rehab assignment, when Spiers was naturally focused on getting comfortable and healthy rather than pure performance.
Packers send subtle message they're not satisfied with competition at key position after latest roster decision
The Green Bay Packers want to let training camp play out to see how their depth at cornerback is before making significant additions to the group. But after three days of practice, general manager Brian Gutekunst decided to sign another depth piece to create extra competition. On Saturday, beyond confirming the previously reported addition of running back Israel Abanikanda, the Packers also signed rookie cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. He is a 6-0, 199-pound player. Undrafted, Hollis played three seasons at Northwestern before transferring to West Virginia before his final college season in 2024. Throughout his college career, the defensive back had 124 tackles (including five for loss), two interceptions, 12 passes defended, and one forced fumble. He spent some time with the Tennessee Titans after the draft. "I like our depth there," Gutekunst had told Cheesehead TV back in June. "I do think between Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, and Micah Robinson, there's going to be some really good competition for the back end into that roster. I'm excited to give those guys that opportunity to see." Bleacher Report's Cory Giddings projected Hollis as a fifth-round prospect, highlighting his aggressive and physical presence in the run game. "Garnett Hollis Jr. projects as a developmental prospect who will likely find his role as a physical outside cornerback in zone-heavy schemes. His size, length, and aggression make him an asset against bigger-bodied receivers and in run support, but his movement limitations and inconsistent tackling could cap his ceiling as a backup or rotational player. Hollis will need to refine his technique and improve his consistency to carve out a role at the next level." — Cory Giddings Competition on the roster In the first week of camp, the Packers have played with Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs outside, and safety Javon Bullard primarily in the slot. Carrington Valentine has also had significant time with the ones. The roster has Bo Melton, recently converted from wide receiver, Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, and Micah Robinson with more chances. The bottom of the depth chart has veteran Gregory Junior, Isaiah Dunn, and undrafted rookie Tyron Herring. Johnathan Baldwin is also officially listed as a cornerback, but he's practiced mostly at safety so far.
Seattle Mariners Trade Acquisition Wore Awesome Jacket to First Game with Team
The Seattle Mariners lost on Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels, falling 3-2 in 10-innings. It was a tough loss for Seattle, as they fell to 4-4 since the All-Star break, but they remain in the second wild card spot in the American League, 0.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. However, optimism for the organization remains high, especially after acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor in a pre-trade deadline deal on Thursday. The slugging first baseman made his team debut on Friday, going 1-for-4 with a single and two strikeouts. However, he certainly ingratiated himself to M's fans before he even stepped onto the field, as he wore an awesome jacket, complete with a nod to Gary Payton and the Seattle SuperSonics. There's almost no quicker way to make yourself likable to Seattle fans than to show appreciation for the Sonics. Now, he'd take it to the next level if he'd take some shots at the Oklahoma City Thunder, but one step at a time. Naylor is hitting .292 this season with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs. He's stolen 11 bases and owns an .804 OPS for the Diamondbacks and Mariners. An All-Star last season, he helped lead the Cleveland Guardians to the American League Championship Series. They dealt him to Arizona in the offseason. The Mariners are back in action on Saturday night against the Angels with first pitch coming at 6:38 p.m. PT. George Kirby will take the mound against left-hander Tyler Anderson, who will get the ball for the Halos. The series concludes on Sunday.
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