The Boston Celtics have done more than change the names on the back of the jerseys this offseason. With new uniforms now unveiled, the team is also setting the stage for a very different kind of rollout before training camp, one that will include introductions for Paul George, Mike Conley and Mitchell Robinson.
Those moves were part of CelticsBlog’s Sept. 12 news roundup, and they point to a franchise that is clearly stepping into a new phase. Uniform reveals can’t win games, but they do serve as a marker when a team is about to look and feel a lot different.
George is the headliner, and for good reason. His arrival changes Boston’s identity in a real way.
He brings nine-time All-Star status, scoring punch and defensive versatility, and that means the Celtics are no longer just tweaking around the edges of a familiar core. Conley adds steadiness and organization to the backcourt, while Robinson gives Boston more size and rim protection.
That makes the upcoming introductions more than just a formal meet-and-greet. They will be the first chance for these players to explain why Boston made sense for them and how they see their roles fitting together. George’s remarks figure to draw the most attention, especially with the Celtics having moved on from Jaylen Brown.
The questions that matter most are the basketball ones. How will George divide the shot creation?
In what ways can he help Jayson Tatum? And how will Boston handle veterans who have dealt with extensive injury histories?
The clock is already ticking. Training camp opens Sept. 28, which leaves little time for Joe Mazzulla to turn a talented group into a team that actually clicks.
Boston still has enough talent to be in the mix, but the challenge is obvious: make accomplished players work together without expecting each of them to recreate the exact role he had somewhere else. The new uniforms give the change a visual cue. The real test starts once those jerseys hit the practice court together.
In Other News...
Celtics Could Put A Fan Favorite On The Table Again
The Celtics have another familiar name sitting in the middle of roster talk, as Sam Hauser is again being mentioned as a possible trade candidate because of the clubs luxury tax concerns. Hauser still has three years left on his deal, worth $35 million, and his shooting and spacing have made him a useful piece in Bostons rotation, not to mention a player head coach Joe Mazzulla has clearly valued.
Even so, moving him is not as simple as opening a salary slot and finding a clean replacement. The problem is that Boston may not be able to land a player of equal value back in a deal, which makes the idea feel more theoretical than imminent for now. For a team balancing talent, fit and finances, Hausers name is one to watch, even if the market does not seem likely to deliver an easy path forward. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Brown Is Already Facing A Familiar Question In Philadelphia
Jaylen Brown is barely settled in Philadelphia and already the conversation has turned to the same sort of star-driven questions that tend to follow him wherever he goes. The 76ers brought in a player who can change the look of a roster in a hurry, but also one whose voice and presence can shape the room just as much as his production on the floor.
Philadelphia is now trying to sort out how multiple stars fit together, from roles to minutes to the general pecking order that comes with a big-market rebuild. Browns fit will matter as much as his performance, because if the arrangement starts to wobble, the same trade chatter that brought him there in the first place could surface again before long. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics May See A Familiar Opportunity In One Risky Roster Bet
Devin Carter has popped up as a name to watch for the Celtics after Atlanta waived him, and it is the kind of low-cost roster swing Boston has not been shy about making. The team has built a real track record of finding value in players who arrive without much fanfare, then turning those opportunities into something larger once the player proves he can fit the system and handle the role.
Ron Harper Jr. is the clearest recent example, going from a two-way flier to a standard contract and then a long-term extension with Boston. Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta have followed similar paths from overlooked or waived status into useful rotation pieces, which is why Carters availability stands out as more than a procedural transaction. The Celtics have seen this movie before, and the next chapter could depend on whether Carter can force his way into the same kind of conversation. [Read more 🡒]