As is well-documented, the Boston Celtics enter June's NBA Draft with picks No. 27 and No. 40. As is also well-documented, it's unclear if the Celtics will use both those picks. Those picks could be more valuable as trade commodities, especially if the C's want to make a run at an impact player like Giannis Antetokounmpo on the trade market.

However, those plans haven't come to fruition yet, so we need to operate like the Celtics are going to make both selections, and ESPN certainly did in its latest mock draft, which came out on Tuesday morning. 

Here's what you need to know:

An Arizona native who stands 6'8, Peat played just one season at his in-state university. He helped lead the Wildcats to the Final Four, where they were beaten by eventual champion Michigan. 

Peat started all 36 games for the Wildcats in 2025-26, averaging 14.1 ppg and 5.6 rebounds. He also had 2.6 assists and shot 52.8 percent from the floor. 

Why it would be a good pick: Brad Stevens has said that the Celtics need to get better around the rim, and Peat is a player who plays around the rim. Very athletic, he has the ability to bruise inside and could certainly help the Celtics get more balanced offensively.

Where there are questions: Sure, the Celtics want to get better inside, but do they want to completely ignore the outside? Peat attempted just 20 three-pointers in college, meaning he's not a real threat on the perimeter. And at 6'8, is he truly big enough to be a slasher/post player at the next level?

He may be willing to go inside, but will his size actually allow him to do it? ESPN cited shooting concerns at the NBA Combine, which could mean he's one-dimensional moving forward. That's hard to be when undersized. 

Kayil signed onto play college basketball at Gonzaga, but has elected to stay in the NBA Draft and won't go to Spokane. Listed at 6'5, he's currently playing professionally in Germany. He's 20 years old.

Per the Spokesman-Review:

Kayil was one of the top performers for Alba Berlin this season, averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game during Bundesliga play. In Basketball Champions League action, the guard averaged 11.9 ppg, 4.1 apg and 2.9 rpg while logging 20.4 mpg.

He’s shooting 40% from the field and 34.4% from the 3-point line in Bundesliga play and 37.4% from the field and 26.6% from 3 in the Champions League.

Why it would be a good pick: International players have helped take over the NBA in the last 15 years or so, and because Kayil comes in with professional experience, he should be significantly seasoned and ready to contribute right away, at least to some degree. Hugo Gonzalez was able to play a big role for the Celtics this season, especially early.

Where there are questions: Well, he's only 20 years old, and the Celtics have championship aspirations right now. Do they want to take on someone who is more of an unknown project, or do they want someone who they've seen play in the college game? Also, Kayil is 6'5. Does another guard really help the goals to improve the inside game?

2025: Hugo Gonzalez and Noah Penda (traded to Orlando)

2024: Baylor Scheireman and Anton Watson

2023: Julian Phillips (traded to Washington then Chicago)

2022: JD Davison

2021: Juhann Bagarin 

2020: Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard, Desmond Bane (traded to Memphis), Yam Madar

BOLD = on active roster

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