The Boston Celtics saw their season come to a disappointing end on Saturday night, falling in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia secured a 109-100 victory, winning three straight games to complete a stunning comeback from a 3-1 deficit.
It marks the first time in franchise history that the 76ers have overturned a 3-1 series deficit and just the 14th instance in NBA history of such a comeback.
For Boston, attention now quickly turns to what could be a defining offseason.
Boston Celtics Face Key Offseason Decisions Amid Cap Pressure
With Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White already occupying significant portions of the salary cap, and Nikola Vucevic potentially joining that group if he re-signs in unrestricted free agency, Boston’s financial flexibility could soon become increasingly restricted.
That situation places added importance on the NBA Draft as a vital tool for maintaining roster balance and long-term competitiveness.
The Celtics retain control of their future draft capital and are currently projected to select toward the back end of the first round.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN analyst Jeremy Woo has Boston selecting Alabama forward Amari Allen, 20, with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“Allen’s positional versatility and ability to augment lineups on both sides of the ball give him a path to finding a long-term NBA role,” Woo wrote. “While he is not likely to create his own shot at a high level and shot a middling 34.1% from 3, his playmaking flashes and defensive instincts give him a good role-player baseline to build on if his scoring ability can catch up.”
“Whether he can work up the board from here or ultimately winds up back in college remains to be seen, as an older freshman who was unheralded to begin the season.”
Across 32 games this season, Allen averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and just under a block per game, while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.1% from three-point range on 4.3 attempts per contest.
Amari Allen Offers Versatility and Two-Way Potential
The 6-foot-8 freshman scored 20 or more points in three games, highlighted by a 25-point performance against Vanderbilt in January.
In that outing, he shot 6-of-11 from the field, converted one three-pointer, and went a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line, while adding 11 rebounds, four offensive boards, and four assists.
Allen also recorded double-digit rebounds on nine occasions this season, showcasing the hustle and physicality that could translate well to the Celtics’ frontcourt.
He consistently contributed defensively, with multiple games featuring both blocks and steals, underlining his two-way upside.
“The Celtics value taller perimeter players in Allen’s mold who can fit in alongside their stars, and they could afford him time to develop,” Woo added.
For a Celtics team navigating the balance between immediate title contention and long-term sustainability, a prospect like Allen represents more than just depth.
He profiles as a versatile, team-first contributor who could grow into a valuable piece alongside Boston’s established core while fitting seamlessly into the franchise’s long-term vision.
If needed, he could also benefit from time in the G League to further accelerate his development.
The Boston Celtics’ recent success in developing contributors such as Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman has only reinforced the importance of identifying and nurturing cost-controlled talent within a championship-caliber roster.
Celtics Tipped to Add Versatile 6-Foot-8 Forward After Playoff Collapse