The Celtics have become one of the NBA’s most debated teams, and a big part of that conversation starts with the roster choices they’ve made. Trading Jaylen Brown drew plenty of criticism, but the logic behind Boston’s approach under Joe Mazzulla has been pretty clear: this group was built to fit what he wants, and the catch is that every piece has to pull its weight.
Bill Simmons says two of those pieces are already making noise this summer.
On his latest podcast, the longtime Boston voice said the organization has been blown away by the work Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman have put in during the offseason.
“Celtics tidbit: Hugo and Scheierman, phenomenal shape... The enitre organization has been stunned by all the work they put in this summer.
From my mouth to God's ears... You know who doesn't have baby fat anymore?
Hugo.”
That’s notable for a few reasons. Gonzalez and Scheierman were the two players Boston reportedly would not include when discussions turned to a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a stance that has already sparked backlash because of how little they’ve proven compared with a future Hall of Famer like the Greek Freak.
Still, nuggets like this are exactly why the Celtics may feel comfortable with the path they chose. Nobody is pretending Gonzalez or Scheierman are on Antetokounmpo’s level, now or probably ever. But if their development ends up helping Boston chase Banner 19, then the decision starts to look a whole lot smarter.
This season also hands both players a real opening.
Boston may have swapped Brown for Paul George, but the Celtics know George is older and has usually needed time off because of injuries. That creates chances for younger players to step in, earn trust, and show Boston was right to keep them around rather than use them in a deal for Giannis.
There’s also recent evidence that this roster can survive stretches without one of its biggest names. Boston went 9-2 in games Brown missed last season, and plenty of those came without Jayson Tatum as well. That kind of run speaks to the depth the Celtics had then, and still believe they can lean on now.
If Boston ends up looking just as effective - or even better - without Brown, it could be because Gonzalez and Scheierman took real steps forward. That doesn’t mean they have to replace Brown outright. It means they need to impact winning enough to help cover for his absence.
That’s the bar now. And for the Celtics, it’s why this summer buzz matters.
In Other News...
Celtics Have A Low-Risk Point Guard Option Worth Watching
Ryan Nembhard has popped onto the Celtics radar as a possible low-risk point guard addition, the kind of move that often surfaces around this part of the roster cycle. The 23-year-old was recently traded to the Charlotte Hornets and is expected to be waived, which could open the door for Boston to take a closer look at a player who already has some NBA experience and a track record as a distributor.
Nembhard spent time with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract and made enough of an impression to set a rookie assist record, a useful calling card for a team that could use added depth at point guard behind its main group. Boston already has several players tied up on two-way deals, so any decision here would have to fit the teams flexibility and its appetite for another developmental guard worth monitoring. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Face A Costly Payton Pritchard Decision Soon
Payton Pritchard is entering a stretch that could shape both his future and Bostons rotation planning, with the guard eligible to sign an extension starting Oct. 1. After a breakout season that stood as the best of his NBA career, Pritchard has become a far more important piece for the Celtics, and the price of keeping him around has moved well beyond the bargain-bin range.
Boston has already extended contracts to other players recently, and there is an expectation around the team that Pritchard will get serious consideration as well. The question now is whether the Celtics are ready to commit to a deal that could reach roughly three years and $67 million, a costly number for a player they clearly view as part of the next stretch of their roster. [Read more 🡒]
Jayson Tatum Put On Blast As Celtics Loyalty Debate Heats Up
The Celtics long-running image as a tight-knit core has taken a small but messy hit in the court of opinion, with DeMarcus Cousins taking aim at Jayson Tatum on a podcast over what he sees as a lapse in loyalty toward Jaylen Brown. Cousins criticism centered on the idea that Tatum did not contact Brown after Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a move that naturally marked a difficult stretch in Browns career and put their relationship under the microscope.
Tatum has publicly spoken highly of Brown, but Cousins suggested those comments came off more like polished public relations than a reflection of real support. For Boston, the debate lands in familiar territory: the franchise has spent years selling the strength of its stars' bond, and any hint of distance between the faces of the team tends to draw outsized attention, especially when it comes from a former NBA veteran willing to say the quiet part out loud. [Read more 🡒]