Brad Stevens doesn't sleep much. At least, that’s the vibe you get when you look at the Boston Celtics' asset sheet. While most championship teams gut their entire future to win one ring, the Celtics have managed to keep a surprisingly deep chest of picks. It's kinda wild. Most fans assume the cupboard is bare because of the Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis trades, but honestly? They’re in a better spot than almost any other contender.
But there is a catch. Or a few catches.
The NBA’s "Second Apron" rules have turned the draft into a minefield. If you stay in that expensive tax tier for too long, your future picks get "frozen" at the end of the first round. Right now, the Celtics are walking that tightrope. Understanding the boston celtics draft picks in future isn't just about counting names on a spreadsheet; it’s about understanding how Brad Stevens is trying to outsmart a collective bargaining agreement designed to kill dynasties.
The 2029 First-Rounder: The One That Got Away
If you’re looking for the biggest hole in the Celtics' future, look at 2029. That pick is basically gone. It was a primary piece of the Jrue Holiday trade with Portland.
Here’s where it gets complicated. It isn't just a simple "Portland gets the pick" situation. Because of how the Blazers and Bucks did their business (remember the Damian Lillard chaos?), there are swap rights and "most favorable" protections involved. Basically, Portland gets the most favorable and the least favorable of their own, Boston’s, and Milwaukee’s 2029 first-rounders. Washington then gets the second most favorable.
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Essentially, the Celtics are almost guaranteed to not have a first-round selection in 2029.
Tracking the First-Round Assets (2026-2031)
Despite the 2029 hole, the Celtics actually own the vast majority of their own first-round capital. That is a massive win for a team that just won a title. Let’s look at how the next few years shake out for the primary picks.
- 2026: Boston owns their own first-round pick. No weird swaps here.
- 2027: Again, they own their own. This is huge for potentially trading for a veteran if the core needs a refresh.
- 2028: This is the "Spurs Swap." San Antonio has the right to swap their 2028 first-round pick for Boston’s, provided Boston’s pick isn't #1 overall. If it is #1, the swap doesn't happen.
- 2030: Boston owns their own first-round pick.
- 2031: This is the current "End of the Line" for tradeable assets. As of early 2026, the Celtics still control this pick, though trade rumors involving it are everywhere.
The 2028 swap with the Spurs is the one that keeps scouts up at night. San Antonio is building something terrifying with Victor Wembanyama. By 2028, the Spurs might be a juggernaut. If Boston is still a top-tier team, that swap might not even matter—San Antonio might actually have a lower pick than Boston.
The Second-Round Scavenger Hunt
Brad Stevens treats second-round picks like Pokémon cards. He collects them, trades them, and flips them for bench depth. The 2026 second-round situation is a great example of his "mad scientist" approach to the boston celtics draft picks in future.
In 2026, Boston is actually in line to receive the "most favorable" second-round pick from a pool that includes Orlando, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Think about that. Detroit has been rebuilding for a decade. If the Pistons are still bad in 2026, that second-rounder is basically a late first-round pick.
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However, they also owe some second-rounders. Their own 2026 second-rounder is headed to either Atlanta or Memphis. They also traded their 2029 second-rounder to Oklahoma City (because of course OKC is involved) and their 2030 second-rounder to Brooklyn via Houston.
It's a dizzying web of transactions. But the takeaway is simple: Boston has enough small assets to keep making "minor" trades for guys like Xavier Tillman or Luke Kornet-types without touching their core.
The "Frozen" Pick Problem
We have to talk about the 2032 pick. Under the new CBA rules, teams that are repeatedly over the Second Apron (which the Celtics are, thanks to the massive Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum contracts) have their first-round pick seven years out "frozen."
Currently, the 2032 pick is the one in the crosshairs. If Boston stays in the second apron for three out of five years, that 2032 pick gets moved to the very end of the first round (#30), regardless of how bad the team's record actually is.
This is the NBA’s way of saying: "You can keep your stars, but you can't keep your future." Brad Stevens is essentially gambling that by 2032, the team will have won enough rings that a #30 pick doesn't matter.
Why This Matters for the Tatum/Brown Era
The Celtics are in a unique position. Most "All-In" teams—think the Phoenix Suns or the old-school Brooklyn Nets—eventually hit a wall where they have no young talent and no picks. Boston is trying to avoid that by using their picks now.
Look at Hugo González. He was a 2025 first-rounder. By drafting international "stashed" players or high-floor college guys like Baylor Scheierman (the 2024 pick), the Celtics are trying to find cheap labor to surround their $300 million stars.
If they keep their 2026 and 2027 picks, they can continue to inject youth into an aging roster. Al Horford can't play forever. Jrue Holiday will eventually slow down. These future picks are the insurance policy for when the "Big Five" becomes the "Big Three" or "Big Two."
Strategic Next Steps for the Front Office
If you’re following the boston celtics draft picks in future, keep an eye on these three potential moves:
- The 2031 Trade: Expect rumors to intensify about trading the 2031 first-rounder for a defensive-minded big man. With the 2032 pick potentially frozen, 2031 is the last "clean" asset they have to move.
- Consolidating Seconds: Stevens loves to turn three second-rounders into one early second-rounder. Watch for them to move those 2026 "most favorable" picks to move up in a draft they really like.
- The Stash Strategy: To avoid immediate salary cap hits, the Celtics will likely continue drafting international players who stay in Europe for 1-2 years. This keeps the player off the books while they develop.
The Celtics aren't just playing basketball; they're playing a high-stakes game of Tetris with the NBA salary cap. So far, they're winning.
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To stay ahead, you should regularly check the "Stepien Rule" status of these picks, as the Celtics cannot trade back-to-back future first-rounders. This limits their flexibility but protects them from a "Brooklyn-style" collapse. Watching how they handle the 2027 trade deadline will be the ultimate tell for whether they're going for a decade-long run or just a three-year window.
Actionable Insights for Celtics Fans:
- Monitor the 2026 Detroit Pick: If the Pistons remain in the lottery, that 2026 second-rounder is a gold mine for a team that needs cheap talent.
- Watch the Second Apron Status: If the Celtics drop below the apron in 2027, their 2032 pick becomes "unfrozen," giving them a massive trade chip back.
- Draft Night Value: Don't expect "stars" from these picks. Expect high-IQ role players who can play 12 minutes a night without making mistakes.