Boston Celtics take Crimson Tide forward in latest mock draft

As we approach the NBA offseason, Brad Stevens is expected to be busy reshaping the Boston Celtics roster. Joe Mazzulla's team squandered a 3-1 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers during the opening round of the postseason, eventually losing 3-4, following three straight defeats, two of which came on Boston's home floor. On paper, the easiest route to improvement will come via the trade market.

There is already sizable speculation regarding Jaylen Brown's future with the franchise. Derrick White and Sam Hauser are also candidates to be floated in trade talks throughout the summer. Nevertheless, Stevens will also get the opportunity to add another cost-controlled asset to the Celtics roster during the NBA draft.

In recent years, Stevens has prioritized players with multi-season collegiate careers due to their higher floor entering the league. However, in ESPN's latest mock draft, Jeremy Woo has predicted Stevens will take a slight change of direction, with Amari Allen being floated as the player Boston takes with the 27th pick in the first round. "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 of Allen's skill set.

"While he is not likely to create his own shot at a high level and shot a middling 34. 1 percent 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.