Boston will hold the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the front office is already weighing the prospect of adding Duke forward Isaiah Evans. The conversation centers on whether his skill set aligns with the Celtics’ long-term building plan and the depth chart that already features veteran wing talent.

Evans entered his sophomore season with the Blue Devils averaging 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 43.3 percent from the floor overall, 36.1 percent from three-point range, and 86.0 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers place him among the more efficient scorers at his position in college basketball and demonstrate a solid shooting touch that can stretch a defense.

The forward’s ability to score from the perimeter, mid-range and the paint makes him a three-level threat. A knock-down shooter from beyond the arc, he can also finish at the rim, giving a team the flexibility to run a spacing-oriented offense without sacrificing inside scoring. His free-throw percentage suggests he can be trusted in late-game situations when the clock winds down.

Defensively, Evans possesses the length and athleticism to guard multiple positions, a trait that dovetails with Boston’s switch-heavy defensive schemes. While his rebounding and playmaking numbers are modest, his willingness to use his size on the perimeter could allow the Celtics to deploy him in various roles, from spot-up shooter to occasional wing defender.

From a risk-reward perspective, a late first-round selection carries a modest contract and limited immediate expectation. Evans offers a low-risk, high-upside profile: a player who can develop into a reliable stretch forward while providing depth behind the core. The Celtics will need to balance his upside against the existing wing depth and the alternative prospects still on the board.

Ultimately, the decision at No. 27 will shape Boston’s roster flexibility for the next several seasons. Whether Evans earns a spot on the roster or becomes a movable asset in future trades, his selection would reflect the organization’s continued emphasis on versatile, floor-spacing talent.