On the night of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected Noah Penda, a promising young forward from Le Mans Sarthe Basket in France, with the 32nd overall pick. However, his draft rights were quickly traded to the Orlando Magic, marking a significant moment for both franchises. The Celtics, focused on immediate championship contention, chose to leverage this late first-round pick as an asset, while the Magic seized an opportunity to add a European prospect with notable defensive skills and considerable upside. This draft-night transaction is more than a simple swap; it signals the Magic’s intent to build a versatile, international roster primed for long-term growth, and highlights the Celtics’ continued strategy of balancing short-term success with smart asset management.
Noah Penda entered the draft as one of the more intriguing international prospects in 2025. At 6-foot-9 with a sturdy 230-pound frame and a wingspan approaching 7 feet, he boasts the physical tools to be a disruptive presence on both ends of the court. Having developed his game within the French professional system, Penda brings a level of experience rare for a player his age. Le Mans Sarthe Basket, one of the prominent clubs in the French LNB Pro A league, provided a competitive environment where Penda refined his defensive instincts and improved his offensive skills against seasoned professionals.
What immediately stands out about Penda is his defensive versatility. He is capable of guarding multiple positions—from power forwards to smaller centers—thanks to his mobility, size, and high basketball IQ. Coaches and scouts alike have praised his ability to switch on pick-and-rolls effectively, hold his ground in post defense, and protect the rim with timely shot-blocking. In France, he averaged roughly 1.2 blocks per game while often taking on the challenge of defending the opposing team’s best frontcourt player. His defensive positioning and anticipation allow him to be impactful without relying purely on athleticism, making him a fundamentally sound defender who fits well within team-oriented defensive schemes.
Offensively, Penda is a work in progress but shows encouraging signs. His skillset is marked by a smooth shooting stroke from mid-range and an emerging ability to knock down three-pointers at a respectable clip—around 34 percent from beyond the arc during his latest European season. This shooting touch, combined with solid footwork, makes him a credible stretch-four candidate. Additionally, Penda’s passing ability stands out for a player his size. He frequently operates as a facilitator in pick-and-roll sets and can find cutters with precise passes, adding a valuable dimension to his offensive repertoire.
One of Penda’s strengths that bodes well for his NBA transition is his experience playing within a structured professional system overseas. Unlike many collegiate players who come from fast-paced, sometimes chaotic offenses, Penda understands spacing, timing, and movement at a high level. His patience and decision-making are advanced for his age, indicating a maturity that often accelerates international players’ adjustment to the NBA style. Furthermore, his conditioning and stamina, developed through the European season’s grind, should allow him to handle the physical demands of the NBA with proper development.
From the Magic’s perspective, acquiring Penda aligns perfectly with their current rebuilding philosophy. Orlando has been in a multi-year rebuild focused on youth, versatility, and athleticism. They have invested heavily in wings and bigs who can defend multiple positions, stretch the floor, and contribute across various facets of the game. Penda fits this mold perfectly, offering a combination of length, defensive savvy, and a budding offensive game that can flourish under the right coaching staff.
The Magic’s front office likely sees Penda as a long-term project with a relatively high floor. While he may not make an immediate impact in his rookie season, his skillset and professional experience suggest a smooth developmental path. The team’s coaching staff, led by head coach Jamahl Mosley, is known for its ability to nurture young players, emphasizing defense and team basketball—areas where Penda already excels. Additionally, Orlando’s G League affiliate offers an ideal environment for Penda to refine his shooting, improve his strength, and adjust to the NBA’s pace without the pressure of instant production.
One factor that could influence Penda’s rookie season timeline is his international contract status. Often, players drafted from European leagues have buyout clauses or contractual obligations that delay their arrival to the NBA. While Penda’s situation is expected to be resolved relatively quickly, the Magic may opt to allow him to continue developing in France for another season or two before bringing him stateside. This “draft-and-stash” approach has become a common strategy for teams looking to maximize a player’s readiness while managing roster flexibility.
This trade also underscores the Celtics’ ongoing commitment to balancing championship windows with asset management. By selecting Penda at 32, they acquired a valuable draft asset that they could move to a rebuilding team in exchange for future picks or trade exceptions—resources critical for maintaining their roster’s competitiveness. The Celtics have demonstrated a savvy approach to the draft in recent years, often drafting international or developmental players late in the first round and then packaging those assets in trades that better fit their immediate goals.
For Celtics fans, this trade may initially feel anticlimactic given Penda’s potential upside. However, the move reflects the realities of a championship-contending team needing flexibility to chase proven talent and maintain salary cap health. For the Magic, it’s an exciting addition that signals a willingness to invest in potential and embrace the global nature of basketball talent.
Noah Penda’s playing style and attributes remind many scouts of NBA players like Pascal Siakam and Alperen Şengün—players who blend size, mobility, and skill to become versatile contributors on both ends of the court. While Penda is not expected to reach star status immediately, his profile suggests he could become a valuable “3-and-D” player with additional playmaking ability, a coveted archetype in today’s league. His shooting and passing skills offer the possibility of playing as a secondary ball-handler or facilitator, roles increasingly important for big men in modern offenses.
Defensively, Penda’s potential impact is arguably even greater. The NBA’s trend toward switch-heavy defensive schemes requires players who can guard multiple positions effectively. With his wingspan and instincts, Penda is well-equipped to meet these demands, which will allow the Magic to experiment with versatile defensive looks and increase their team defensive rating. Such flexibility could be crucial in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.
Beyond the court, Penda’s character and professional experience give him an advantage in adapting to the NBA lifestyle. European prospects often face cultural and linguistic challenges when transitioning to the United States, but Penda’s mature demeanor and prior exposure to international basketball environments should ease this transition. Orlando’s player development staff will be vital in providing support, but initial reports indicate that Penda is both coachable and motivated to succeed.
The Magic also benefit from Penda’s potential marketing and fan engagement appeal. With the NBA’s expanding global reach, having promising European players on the roster opens up new markets and broadens the team’s international profile. Penda’s presence can attract French basketball fans and create additional buzz around Orlando’s rebuilding project.
In terms of immediate impact, expectations must be tempered. The Magic’s roster still features more experienced players who will handle primary roles, and Penda will need to compete for minutes behind established forwards and big men. His time in the NBA G League will be crucial to gaining confidence and adjusting to NBA defenses and offenses. However, his defensive versatility and ability to stretch the floor could earn him spot minutes early, especially in games where matchup flexibility is essential.
In the long term, if Penda continues to develop his shooting consistency, ball-handling, and strength, he could evolve into a multi-dimensional starter or a key rotation piece. Orlando’s front office likely views him as a building block for their young core, capable of growing alongside other emerging talents on the roster.
The trade between the Celtics and Magic on draft night, involving Noah Penda, serves as a microcosm of the NBA’s evolving draft and roster-building strategies. Contending teams often prioritize short-term roster construction and salary flexibility, while rebuilding teams embrace international talent and developmental projects with patience. Penda’s selection and subsequent trade illustrate how these differing philosophies can intersect to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
Noah Penda’s arrival in Orlando represents a promising addition to a young, athletic, and defensively-minded roster. His blend of size, length, and skill makes him an intriguing project who fits the modern NBA mold. While it may take time for him to reach his full potential, the foundation is strong, and the Magic’s developmental system provides a nurturing environment for growth.
Ultimately, Penda’s journey from Le Mans Sarthe Basket to the NBA encapsulates the increasingly global nature of basketball talent and the complex calculus teams engage in during the draft. His progress will be closely watched by both Magic fans hopeful for the future and Celtics supporters confident in their franchise’s strategic acumen.
In a league where positional flexibility, defensive capability, and shooting ability define value, Noah Penda embodies the prototype of the next wave of NBA forwards. His story is just beginning, but the Orlando Magic have taken an important step toward shaping their future by bringing him into the fold.
