Celtics trade down in NBA Draft after Suns swoop in and take Rasheer Fleming at No. 31 overall

With their second-round choice, the Boston Celtics reportedly had their sights set on a talented forward. However, Boston decided to trade down after the Phoenix Suns moved up a spot and selected Rahseer Fleming with the 31st overall pick.

Before the Suns traded up to acquire Fleming, the Celtics were prepared to pick him, according to NBA source Shams Charania of ESPN during the draft. A second-round pick in 2027 and picks 46 and 57 were acquired by Boston from the Orlando Magic in exchange for pick No. 32, it was confirmed moments later.

Fleming has a huge wingspan of 7 feet 5 inches and is a 6-foot-8 forward. He developed his offensive arsenal throughout three years in the NCAA, and in 2024, he averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game at St. Joseph’s.

Reporting on the club that intended to choose Rasheer Fleming of Saint Joseph before the Phoenix Suns jumped to grab No. 31 on the second night of the NBA draft:www.twitter.com/MPlDu6bzb4 photo

There aren’t many legitimate big men on the Celtics’ roster right now. The lone center under contract is Neemias Queta, while Boston’s largest forwards, excluding Jayson Tatum, are all 6′ 7″ or shorter.

Fleming would have probably started playing right away in Boston, eschewing the team’s custom of easing its rookies into the NBA through time in the G League, given the condition of the Celtics squad going into the 2025–26 campaign.

Brad Stevens chose to select an additional second-round pick in this year’s draft over one of the seven-footers or large forwards available at No. 32, even though other players could have satisfied the Celtics’ need for depth at wing and center.

Boston’s starting lineup for 2025 is still up in the air, particularly if the team needs to make another deal to keep Al Horford, a potential free agency. The Celtics may need a little more success at the conclusion of the round, though, if they still want to get a player who can contribute in 2025 after missing out on Fleming early in the round.

Hugo Gonzalez, a first-round pick, is still available to Boston, and it will be much simpler for him to join the squad without having to compete for playing time with a forward like Fleming.