5 Jrue Holiday replacements for Celtics in 2025 NBA Draft
By Jack Simone
2. Kylan Boswell, Illinois
The last four players on this list are all projected to go undrafted, but their skill sets look like they could match up beautifully with Holiday’s. Boston should prioritize that over general draft ranking.
Kylan Boswell spent his first two collegiate seasons with Arizona but transferred to Illinois for the upcoming year. He’s on the smaller side at 6-foot-2 but makes up for it with impressive defensive instincts.
This past year, Boswell appeared in 36 games for the Wildcats, playing 26.9 minutes per contest. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 39.6% from the floor and 37.9% from beyond the three-point line.
3. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
This may be the most intriguing option on this list, as Bruce Thornton is an ideal build to play a role similar to Holiday’s in the NBA. That said, he’s not projected to be picked in the upcoming draft by most outlets.
He’s heading into his third season at Ohio State and last year, he appeared in 35 games, playing 33.6 minutes per contest. Thornton averaged 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 42.7% from the floor and 33.3% from behind the three-point line.
At 6-foot-2, Thornton is on the shorter side, but he’s also 215 lbs. He’s a big, bulky guard who throws his size around on the defensive end, and that’s a great place to start.