BREAKING: After being selected 46th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2025 NBA Draft, Kentucky’s Amari Williams is on the move—traded to the Boston Celtics in a surprise draft-night deal.
The NBA Draft is always full of surprises, and the 2025 edition was no exception. One of the more intriguing developments came in the second round, when Kentucky standout Amari Williams was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 46th overall pick, only to have his rights traded shortly thereafter to the Boston Celtics. The move, while unexpected by many, sent shockwaves across both fan bases and added an extra layer of intrigue to Boston’s already strategic offseason. As teams scrambled to position themselves for the future, Boston’s acquisition of Williams could prove to be one of the under-the-radar steals of this draft.
Amari Williams, a 6-foot-10 forward known for his defensive versatility and high basketball IQ, made a name for himself during his collegiate tenure at Kentucky. Despite flying somewhat under the radar in terms of national spotlight compared to some of his flashier teammates, Williams consistently demonstrated the kind of poise, maturity, and skill set that NBA teams crave—especially teams looking to fortify their interior depth without sacrificing agility and modern defensive coverage. Williams wasn’t just a solid player; he was often the glue that held Kentucky’s frontcourt together, providing crucial rim protection, hustle plays, and a reliable presence on both ends of the floor.
The Orlando Magic’s decision to pick him at No. 46 made sense for a franchise that has been stockpiling versatile talent and emphasizing player development. But shortly after his name was called, reports began circulating that the pick would not be staying in Orlando. Instead, the Magic had agreed to a trade that would send Williams to the Boston Celtics, a team coming off a deep playoff run and already boasting one of the NBA’s most formidable lineups. For Celtics fans, the move was unexpected, but quickly seen as a strategic addition to an already loaded roster.
What makes this trade especially fascinating is the context in which it occurred. The Celtics, known for their savvy front office led by Brad Stevens, have been calculated in their approach to roster building. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in back-to-back years and eventually capturing the NBA championship in 2024, Boston entered the 2025 draft without any glaring roster holes. However, that didn’t stop them from leveraging opportunities to bolster their depth, particularly in areas where youthful energy and low-cost contracts can make a long-term difference.
By acquiring Williams, the Celtics are adding a player who fits perfectly into their defensive identity. His length, lateral movement, and shot-blocking instincts align well with Boston’s switch-heavy defensive schemes. More importantly, Williams provides insurance behind veteran bigs like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, both of whom have dealt with injuries and age-related limitations in recent seasons. Williams’s ability to play the four or the five makes him a plug-and-play option, someone who could seamlessly slide into a second-unit role and potentially grow into a more prominent contributor down the line.
On the offensive end, Williams doesn’t project to be a primary scoring option, but that’s not what Boston needs from him. His game is built on intangibles—setting solid screens, making smart passes out of the post, and crashing the boards with intensity. He’s also shown flashes of a mid-range jumper and a developing three-point shot, suggesting that with the right coaching and development, he could become more of a stretch big than originally anticipated. In a Celtics system that values floor spacing and ball movement, those attributes could unlock another level to his game.
For Orlando, the decision to part ways with Williams likely stems from their own logjam of young frontcourt talent. With players like Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac, and Franz Wagner already on the roster, there may not have been a clear developmental path for Williams to get consistent minutes. By trading him to Boston, the Magic may have acquired future draft compensation or a complementary asset better aligned with their immediate roster needs. While full details of the trade package have yet to be publicly confirmed, the transaction appears to be a win-win on paper.
As with any draft-night trade, the true outcome won’t be clear for years. But from a stylistic and cultural standpoint, Williams seems like an excellent fit in Boston. His defensive instincts, team-first mentality, and hard-nosed approach to the game mirror the ethos that has defined Celtics basketball for decades. He comes from a Kentucky program that emphasizes accountability and preparation, two traits that translate well at the NBA level and are especially valued in Boston’s system.
Off the court, Williams brings a humble but driven demeanor. Teammates and coaches at Kentucky often spoke about his leadership qualities and relentless work ethic. He was the kind of player who stayed after practice to get extra reps, studied film obsessively, and made it a point to mentor younger players. Those traits are critical in the NBA, where mental discipline and self-motivation often separate rotational players from those who struggle to find consistency.
For Celtics fans, the addition of Williams may not be the blockbuster headline they were expecting on draft night, but history has shown that the franchise knows how to identify talent outside the lottery. From Jayson Tatum to Jaylen Brown to more recent additions like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser, Boston has a track record of maximizing value with their selections and trades. If Williams continues that tradition, this trade could be viewed in hindsight as a major coup.
The Celtics’ coaching staff, led by Joe Mazzulla, will play a significant role in shaping Williams’s rookie experience. With a culture rooted in defense and accountability, Boston is an ideal landing spot for a player whose game is grounded in those very principles. Mazzulla’s staff has been praised for their player development efforts, particularly with big men, and Williams now has the opportunity to learn from some of the league’s best minds and most experienced veterans.
In the larger picture, this trade also represents a continuing trend in the NBA where second-round picks are being valued more strategically. Gone are the days when late picks were merely developmental fliers; teams like Boston are treating them as opportunities to find hidden gems who can contribute early, especially given the rising costs of max contracts and luxury tax concerns. With roster construction becoming more financially complex, players like Williams—who offer upside, versatility, and affordable contracts—are invaluable.
The Celtics’ front office likely sees Williams not just as a depth piece, but as a long-term investment. In an era where injuries, load management, and roster fluidity dictate rotations, having a player like Williams who can fill multiple roles adds a layer of flexibility to the team’s plans. Whether he begins the season in the G-League, as many rookies do, or earns a spot on the active roster, his development will be closely monitored.
For Amari Williams, this draft-night twist could be a blessing in disguise. While being selected is always a dream come true, landing with the right organization can make all the difference in how a player’s career unfolds. Boston provides him with the infrastructure, mentorship, and competitive environment necessary to thrive. With the support of a passionate fan base and a locker room full of experienced winners, he’ll have every opportunity to grow into the kind of player who makes meaningful contributions for years to come.
Only time will tell what kind of impact Williams will have in Boston, but the early signs point to a well-considered move by one of the league’s most forward-thinking franchises. In the high-stakes chess game that is NBA roster building, the Celtics have made another quiet but potentially impactful move, one that could pay dividends far beyond draft night. For now, Amari Williams is headed to Boston, and the future looks bright for both player and team.
