7 Stars the Celtics missed drafting by a single pick

4. Kenny Sears

The Celtics were no strangers to the playoffs but did not win their first championship until 1957. Red Auerbach just finished his fifth year as head coach in 1955. Boston was building, but still a few pieces short.

They had the fourth overall pick in the 1955 NBA Draft and selected Jim Loscutoff out of Oregon. He was part of seven championship teams, but far from a star. He averaged more than 23 minutes per game just twice in his nine-year career and was mostly a reserve. There were only eight teams at this point, and the Celtics missed on a two-time All-Star who played the same position as Loscutoff.

Sears went fifth overall and instantly impacted the Knicks. He played nearly 30 minutes per game as a rookie and was an All-Star by year three. He scored 21 points per game during his best season and twice led the league in field goal percentage.

Boston was winning championships during Sears’ prime. Loscutoff served as an enforcer for the Celtics, but Sears was the more talented on-court option. Having another elite scorer and rebounder would have only made Boston’s dynasty that much stronger. Kenny Sears is a Knicks legend, and the Celtics just missed out on drafting him.