Boston Celtics Add Duke Forward with 27th Pick in Latest Mock Draft: Is Isaiah Evans the Next Hidden Gem?

The Boston Celtics are no strangers to finding gold in the late stages of the NBA Draft. While other franchises swing for the fences on raw, unproven prospects, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has quietly built a reputation for unearthing polished, plug-and-play contributors with picks in the 20s. From Baylor Scheierman’s steady playmaking to Hugo Gonzalez’s defensive tenacity, the Celtics’ bench has been fortified by players who entered the league with a veteran’s composure.

Now, with the 27th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Boston is once again positioned to add a piece that fits their championship puzzle. According to the latest mock draft from The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the Celtics are projected to select Isaiah Evans, a 6-foot-6 wing out of Duke. Evans, who just wrapped up his sophomore season with the Blue Devils, offers a tantalizing blend of shooting, versatility, and experience that aligns perfectly with Boston’s long-term vision.

But is Evans truly the answer for a team that needs immediate depth? Let’s break down the fit, the scouting report, and what this pick could mean for the Celtics’ bench unit.

Why the Celtics Love Longer-Tenured College Players

One of the most underrated trends in Boston’s recent draft strategy is Stevens’ willingness to target players who have spent three, four, or even five years in college. This approach has paid off handsomely. Baylor Scheierman (four years at Creighton) and Hugo Gonzalez (three years overseas with Real Madrid) both entered the NBA with a higher floor than most one-and-done prospects. They understood spacing, defensive rotations, and how to play without the ball—skills that often take years to develop at the professional level.

Isaiah Evans fits this mold perfectly. While he is only a sophomore, he started all 38 games for Duke this season, logging heavy minutes in a high-pressure program. His 15 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game might not jump off the page, but his growth trajectory tells a different story. Vecenie highlighted that Evans “had a strong close to the season,” averaging 16.5 points while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three over his final 15 games. That kind of late-season surge is exactly what scouts look for in a player who is ready to contribute.

For the Celtics, a team that relies on ball movement and floor spacing, a wing who can shoot off movement and play within a system is invaluable. Evans isn’t a project; he’s a ready-made rotation piece.

Scouting Isaiah Evans: A Dynamic Shooter with Off-Ball Savvy

What makes Evans such an intriguing prospect for Boston? It starts with his shooting versatility. Vecenie described him as a “dynamic shooter off movement,” a skill that is increasingly rare in college basketball. Evans thrives in actions that require him to read defenses on the fly—whether he’s coming off a pin-down screen, relocating after a drive, or acting as a screener in ball-screen actions.

At Duke, Evans worked exceptionally well with star freshman Cooper Flagg (who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in 2026), using his gravity to create space. But Vecenie also noted that Evans “worked really well with Boozer both in ball screens and as a screener, then also ran off many off-ball screens himself.” This dual-threat capability makes him a nightmare for defenses. He can spot up, relocate, or even initiate a secondary action.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Evans’ key attributes:

• Shooting off movement: 39.7% from three over his final 15 games on over eight attempts per game.
• Size and length: At 6-foot-6 with a reported 7-foot wingspan, he can guard multiple positions on the perimeter.
• Basketball IQ: Two years in Jon Scheyer’s system at Duke have prepared him for complex NBA sets.
• Improved efficiency: His field goal percentage jumped from 41% as a freshman to 43% as a sophomore, with a significant uptick in three-point accuracy.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign is his year-over-year improvement. Evans didn’t just maintain his production; he elevated it. That kind of growth suggests he has a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt—a critical trait for a late-first-round pick.

How Evans Fits into Joe Mazzulla’s System

Joe Mazzulla’s offense is built on pace, space, and player movement. The Celtics ranked in the top five in three-point attempts per game last season, and they love to run actions that free up shooters for catch-and-shoot opportunities. Evans is tailor-made for this system.

Boston’s bench unit, which includes Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet, often relies on off-ball screens and quick decision-making. Evans can slot in as a wing who doesn’t need the ball to be effective. His ability to run off screens and shoot with a quick release will create gravity, opening up driving lanes for Pritchard and others.

Defensively, Evans has the tools to be a solid team defender. He’s not an elite athlete, but his length and instincts allow him to contest shots and stay in front of his man. In a Mazzulla system that emphasizes switchability and help-side rotations, Evans’ ability to guard 2s and 3s will be an asset. He won’t be asked to guard the opponent’s best player every night, but he can hold his own against most wings.

One potential concern is his on-ball creation. Evans is not a primary playmaker. His assist numbers are modest, and he struggles to create his own shot against elite defenders. However, the Celtics don’t need him to be a creator. They need him to be a catch-and-shoot threat who can move the ball quickly and make the right read. That’s exactly what he did at Duke.

Predictions: What to Expect from Evans in Year One

If the Celtics do select Evans with the 27th pick, don’t expect him to be a rotation staple from day one. Boston’s roster is deep, and Mazzulla typically prefers to let rookies earn their minutes. However, Evans has a clear path to playing time if he can prove himself in training camp and summer league.

Here are three realistic predictions for his rookie season:

1. He will spend significant time in the G League. The Maine Celtics have become a vital development tool for Boston. Evans will likely see a mix of NBA and G League minutes, allowing him to adjust to the speed of the professional game without the pressure of a deep playoff run.
2. He will carve out a role as a spot-up shooter. By midseason, expect Evans to earn 10-15 minutes per game as a floor spacer. His shooting numbers in the G League—projected around 37-38% from three—will translate to the NBA level.
3. He will be a key contributor by the 2027 playoffs. If his development curve continues, Evans could be a reliable rotation player by the time the Celtics make another deep postseason run. His experience at Duke in high-stakes games (Elite Eight) will serve him well.

Vecenie’s mock draft has drawn praise for its accuracy, and this pick makes too much sense for Boston to ignore. The Celtics don’t need a star at No. 27. They need a high-floor role player who can contribute immediately and grow into a larger role over time. Isaiah Evans checks every box.

Conclusion: A Quietly Brilliant Pick for the Celtics

In a draft class that is loaded with talent at the top, the Boston Celtics are once again proving that value can be found in the late first round. By targeting Isaiah Evans, Brad Stevens is doubling down on a strategy that has already yielded dividends. Evans brings proven shooting, off-ball intelligence, and a winning pedigree from Duke—a program that churns out NBA-ready players year after year.

The 27th pick may not generate headlines on draft night, but it could be the kind of move that keeps Boston’s championship window wide open for years to come. If Evans continues his upward trajectory, he will join the ranks of Scheierman and Gonzalez as another late-round gem who helped the Celtics hang Banner 19.

As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, all eyes will be on Boston’s front office. But if the latest mock draft is any indication, the Celtics have already found their man.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.