With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching on June 25, the Boston Celtics find themselves in an intriguing position. Holding the No. 28 pick in the first round, they’re outside the range of the draft’s elite prospects like Cooper Flagg, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a major splash. After all, NBA history is filled with late-first and second-round gems, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, famously taken 41st overall in 2014—while a Taco Bell commercial aired on the broadcast, no less.
This year, a name that’s starting to generate buzz in connection to Boston is Michigan’s Danny Wolf. According to Jack Simone of Hardwood Houdini, Wolf could be a perfect fit for what the Celtics might need. Standing at an impressive 6’10.5” barefoot (per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony), Wolf isn’t your traditional big man. In fact, he was one of the most unconventional and creative playmakers in college basketball during the 2024–25 season.
Simone draws an exciting comparison, writing that “Danny Wolf passes like Rondo,” a nod to former Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo—known for his dazzling court vision and unique ability to control the tempo of a game. That’s high praise for any draft prospect, let alone one playing the center position. Wolf was often used as a primary playmaker for Michigan, a rare role for someone of his size. Whether initiating the pick-and-roll as a handler or acting as a dynamic screener who could pass or roll to the rim, Wolf demonstrated an elite feel for the game that’s hard to teach.
“He dominates pick-and-rolls as both a screener and ball-handler, but questions of defense and turnovers loom,” Simone notes. That caveat is important. While Wolf’s offensive skillset is tantalizing, especially his ambidextrous finishing and ability to ignite fast breaks, his defense and decision-making under pressure are areas of concern. Still, his versatility and basketball IQ could make him one of the most interesting prospects in this draft class.
Wolf’s ability to function almost like a 7-foot point guard makes him a potential steal if he falls to the Celtics at No. 28. However, that’s far from guaranteed. Analysts like Givony suggest that Wolf’s stock is rising, and he could be off the board before Boston even gets a chance to make their first selection.
Fortunately for the Celtics, they aren’t limited to just one pick. They also hold the No. 32 overall selection in the second round, which gives them added flexibility. If Wolf slips, they could potentially snag him there. If not, they might consider packaging both picks to move up or target another playmaking big.
Ultimately, Danny Wolf presents a rare blend of size, vision, and creativity that could make him an ideal fit for Boston’s system—especially under head coach Joe Mazzulla, who values ball movement and positional versatility. Whether it’s at No. 28 or via another route, don’t be surprised if the Celtics seriously consider making Wolf part of their future. After all, in today’s NBA, finding a big man who can think—and pass—like a guard is a luxury few teams can afford to ignore.