New NBA mock draft has Celtics taking ‘brick-house’ center

Celtics

“The Celtics need to start thinking about the future of the center position, and Sorber could absolutely be a steal at this part of the draft.”

Brad Stevens and the Celtics have several tough decisions to make this offseason when it comes to shedding payroll and potentially dealing away impact starters.

But the 2025 NBA Draft is also approaching on June 25, with Boston holding the 28th and 32nd overall picks.

It remains to be seen if Stevens and Co. can identify an impact talent near the end of the first round, but one mock draft has Boston adding some much-needed size up front. 

NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor put together a new 2025 mock draft this week on Yahoo! Sports Monday, with O’Connor predicting that the Celtics will take center Thomas Sorber out of Georgetown with the 28th pick. 

“The Celtics need to start thinking about the future of the center position, and Sorber could absolutely be a steal at this part of the draft,” O’Connor wrote. “Sorber is unlikely to participate in on-court workouts due to a foot injury that ended his freshman year at Georgetown after just 24 games, but he still projects as a first-round pick due to his brick-house frame and the throwback skill-set to match.

“He sets strong screens, scores with soft-touch finishes, and has gritty drop-coverage instincts.”

Sorber’s injury might hurt his draft stock, but it could also present a chance for a team like the Celtics to pounce on a player whose skillset could translate to the NBA ranks. During his freshman season with the Hoyas, Sorber averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game over 24 contests. 

During an earlier scouting report on Yahoo! Sports, O’Connor compared Sorber to NBA big men Jonas Valančiūnas and  Jusuf Nurkić.

The Celtics could overhaul a majority of its frontcourt this offseason. Not only is Luke Kornet a pending free agent, but veteran forward/center Al Horford has also been noncommittal about his future following his 18th season in the NBA.

Boston does have star center Kristaps Porzingis under contract in 2025-26. But he has dealt with injuries and illness over the last two seasons, while his contract could potentially be moved in order to alleviate the Celtics’ looming luxury-tax penalties.

Conor Ryan

Sports Writer

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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