The Boston Celtics have made a significant move in the 2025 NBA Draft by selecting forward Hugo Gonzalez from Real Madrid with the 28th overall pick. Despite the team’s recent trading of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, as well as swirling trade rumors concerning Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the Celtics opted to retain their first-round selection to invest in Gonzalez.
Over the last three seasons with Real Madrid, Gonzalez averaged 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in approximately 14.2 minutes per game. J. Kyle Mann’s analysis in The Ringer’s 2025 NBA Draft Guide highlights Gonzalez’s strong defensive effort and smooth dribble, although there have been some concerns regarding his pace on the court. He has been compared to notable players such as Nikola Djurisic, Ignas Brazdeikis, and Vasilije Micic.
With the Celtics committing to bringing Gonzalez to the team this season, there’s an opportunity for him to gain playing time, especially with Jayson Tatum potentially sidelined for a significant portion of the season. If Gonzalez performs well during the Summer League, Preseason, or with the G League affiliate, he may find opportunities for minutes in the rotation, similar to last year’s first-round pick Baylor Scheierman, who transitioned from the Maine Celtics to more playing time in Boston later in the season.
Notably, history shows that players chosen 28th overall can develop into impactful contributors; recent examples include Jordan Poole and Jaden McDaniels.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are also set to make a second selection in the draft, currently at the 32nd overall pick, acquired through previous trades. The anticipation surrounding the second round of the draft adds to the excitement for Celtics fans and the potential for further roster development. The draft is scheduled for June 26th at 8 PM on ESPN.