When he reported last week that the Celtics interviewed projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and probable top-10 pick Tre Johnson at the draft combine in Chicago, Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports (Twitter video link) cautioned not to read too much into it.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens confirmed as much at his end-of-season media session on Monday, explaining that those meetings don’t mean the team is thinking about trying to acquire a top draft pick, as Khari A. Thompson of Boston.com relays.
“We can rank who we want to talk to and the people we know we can’t get in to work out is how we decide who we want to talk to at the combine,” Stevens said. “Otherwise, we may never get to talk to them again. So, the only people that will come in and work out for us are the people in our range or maybe they’re at the bottom end of our range or whatever the case may be.
“… Will there be fireworks on draft night? I can’t imagine, but again, who knows? I wouldn’t guess with us, no.”
As O’Connor notes, teams are permitted a limited number of interviews with prospects at the combine, so Stevens and the Celtics determined it didn’t make sense to use that opportunity to talk to prospects who will likely be willing to visit Boston in the coming weeks anyway. The Celtics hold the 28th and 32nd overall picks in this year’s draft.
Here are a few more draft-related notes:
- Which NBA players do some of this year’s top prospects model their games after? Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic passes along answers from 13 draft-eligible players, including Rutgers’ Dylan Harper comparing himself to “big guards like Cade Cunningham, James Harden, and Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander)” and UConn’s Liam McNeeley likening his game to that of Gordon Hayward.
- Using player measurement data from this year’s combine, including height, standing reach, wingspan, and more, Frank Urbina and Alberto de Roa of HoopsHype take a look at which current and former NBA players are the best points of comparison for this year’s top prospects.
- After testing the draft waters this spring, junior Vanderbilt forward Devin McGlockton plans to withdraw from the draft and return to school for his senior year, tweets Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. McGlockton, who wasn’t on ESPN’s list of 2025’s top 100 prospects, averaged 10.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game on .568/.338/.667 shooting for the Commodores in 2024/25.
- NCAA early entrants in this year’s draft pool have until next Wednesday to decide whether or not to withdraw. While the NBA’s withdrawal deadline is June 15, college players who withdraw between May 29 and June 15 would forfeit their remaining NCAA eligibility. The full list of draft-related dates and deadlines for 2025 can be found here.
Don’t get it twisted. Stevens is legally tampering with Flagg and playing the long game. “You’re the next Larry Bird. We will sign you to a max contract when eligible for free agency in five years and provide you with X, Y and Z amenities.” That’s what he means when he says he may not get the opportunity to talk to Flagg again. He found a loophole.
It’s the same kind of bull s**t that the Knicks pulled when they hired Rick Brunson so they could tamper with Jalen.
Don’t disrespect Bird like that
Well really after 8 years because of restricted free agency but fair points.
I believe he grew up a Celtics fan. His hometown is not far away from Boston. Yes man absolutely the long game for Stevens.
Of course McNeely was comped to Gordon Hayward.
You know Cooper Flagg is a more athletic Keith Van Horn.
McNeely comped himself to Gordon Hayward. Read slower.
As a long time mavs fan, i can certify van horn was nowhere in flagg’s realm as a defender
Brown for FVV, a few draft picks, Reed and Jabari. Celtics cut FVV.
That’ll for sure cut that tax bill down.
Out of the box thinking: Mavs trade Cooper Flagg to Lakers for Luca Doncic and fix the mess they made
Nico would also have to send himself in the deal outta dallas, as Pelinka’s assistant , or marketing guy … to make Luka want to play in dallas
Steven’s may be gone with new owner
I see Blake Griffin as a comp for Flagg, which would be a very solid outcome.
Boogie Fland is going to Florida. With NIL money now. He can wait till next yr and raise his value to top ten pick or better. Most boards have him as late first rd even 2nd rd. Too bad for Nets. I think they would have taken him with one of their late picks. Over five yrs the difference in $$ is over 35 mill.
Florida is probably a Final 4 team…….