The Boston Celtics are less than a month from training camp, and that means the guessing game is about to end. Soon enough, we’ll see what this team really looks like and which parts of the roster are going to carry the load.
For now, though, the broad outline is pretty clear: Boston has a chance to be elite in the places that matter most. Rebounding should be the headliner.
With Jayson Tatum back and Mitchell Robinson in the mix, the Celtics could be one of the league’s best teams on the glass, maybe even the best. Robinson is a force on the offensive boards and should hold his own defensively, while Neemias Queta brings balance in that area.
Baylor Scheierman finished last season showing real growth as a rebounder, and Boston has more crashers than people might realize - Hugo Gonzalez, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard all made a habit of helping extend possessions. Add Luka Garza off the bench, and the Celtics look built to cover both ends of the rebounding battle.
And no, Robinson’s lack of shooting doesn’t automatically shrink Boston’s three-point attack. The Celtics should still fire away at a huge rate, because Robinson and Queta can pull defenders toward the paint and open up the perimeter.
The extra possessions from defensive rebounds should feed transition threes, and the offensive boards should create kick-out looks. Boston is still set up to be one of the highest-volume three-point teams in the league, if not the highest-volume team.
That same structure gives the Celtics a real chance to be a top-five defense. The rim protection from the centers, the work on the boards, and the individual defense from White, Gonzalez, and Jordan Walsh all point in that direction.
Scheierman and Sam Hauser have also held their own, and that should allow Tatum to play more as a roamer on that end. Expect him to jump passing lanes, get deflections, and create some steals because of the support around him.
The Celtics have never been a big turnover-forcing team, and they may not need to be. The way this roster is built, they can live with certain shots if it means steering opponents into tough, late-clock attempts.
That’s the tradeoff. Boston already ranked third in turnover percentage last season, and this group should be even steadier with the ball.
The roster is full of players who make clean decisions. Losing Jaylen Brown matters, but he was also one of the team’s higher-turnover players.
Tatum will still give it away some, but he looks more naturally suited to making the right read before things get messy.
That said, this is where the most uncertainty lives. I’m ranking it fifth because I’m not fully sold that White will bounce back or that Tatum will adjust enough to push his three-point percentage up.
If both of them get to 38% or better from deep, this area becomes a much bigger weapon. There’s also room for Luka Garza and Scheierman, Boston’s two best shooters statistically last season, to cool off a bit.
Pritchard had some rough stretches too, and Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez could still find more touch.
If those shots start falling, this could climb fast. But even if the shooting comes and goes, the Celtics should have enough rebounding and defense behind it to keep the cold spells from hurting them too much.
In Other News...
Jayson Tatums New Jordan Release Says Everything About His Celtics Status
Jayson Tatums latest signature shoe is being introduced with a clear basketball-first message, built around control and responsiveness rather than flash for flashs sake. The Jordan Tatum 5 includes a dynamic utility strap, a 10mm forefoot Air Zoom unit and a herringbone traction pattern, while its design nods to Bostons skyline and Tatums No. 0, tying the release directly to the Celtics stars place in the city.
The rollout begins in China on Sept. 24 before a global launch, with several colorways and pricing tiers already set. For Boston fans, the shoe is another reminder of how firmly Tatum sits at the center of the franchise's present and future, with even his signature line reflecting the identity he has built in green. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Cheap Flier Worth Watching Closely
The Celtics are always watching the margins of the roster, and Walter Clayton Jr. has become one of the more interesting names to surface as Memphis works to get down to the NBA limit. The Grizzlies have to waive four players, and that kind of squeeze can turn a lesser-known prospect into a possible bargain for a team looking to add a cheap flier with some upside. Claytons path and past production have made him a player worth monitoring, especially for a Boston front office that is never shy about looking for value where other teams are forced to make cuts.
Still, the fit is not automatic, and there are reasons to be cautious before penciling in any move. Claytons career trajectory suggests there is something to work with, but the Celtics would need to weigh whether he is simply a speculative add or someone who can actually carve out a role in their environment. For now, the intrigue comes from the situation in Memphis as much as from Clayton himself, with Boston positioned to see whether roster pressure elsewhere creates an opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Could Face A Tough Trust Call On Former Lakers Guard
DAngelo Russell is suddenly back in the mix as a possible name to watch for Boston, at least if Memphis decides its roster logjam makes him expendable before the season starts. The Celtics would have to weigh the appeal of a guard with real shot-making skill against the reality that his career has often been defined by flashes rather than steady, dependable production, which is why any possible fit would likely be viewed through the same lens as other scoring guards on the market.
For Boston, the conversation is less about a sure thing than about another potential backcourt option if the right opening appears. Russells game draws some comparison to Anfernee Simons in the sense that he can create offense and handle pressure on the ball, but the bigger question is whether he would be a priority or simply a fallback if the Celtics decide they need one more veteran guard for the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]