There’s already a case to be made that Chris Cenac Jr. looks too ready for Boston to keep him buried for long.
The Celtics have plenty of bodies up front, which is why Cenac probably isn’t expected to play a major role right away. Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta and Luka Garza fill out the center group, while Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Hugo Gonzalez give Boston options at power forward. On paper, that makes it tough to see a clear opening for the rookie unless injuries start piling up.
But preseason has shown something more interesting than raw upside. Cenac hasn’t just flashed talent - he’s looked comfortable doing real NBA things right now.
The dunks are loud, sure, but the rest of his game has been even more eye-opening. He’s handled the ball with confidence, finished well around the basket and shown strong defensive instincts.
That’s a pretty good sign he’s got the basketball IQ to match the tools.
And that’s where the ripple effect starts.
If Cenac keeps trending up, Boston may eventually have no choice but to play him. That’s good news for the Celtics. It’s not such great news for Garza and Amari Williams.
Garza has been one of the pleasant surprises so far, to the point that it feels almost wasteful to keep him behind Robinson and Queta. He has stood out as one of the best offensive rebounders on the roster, which matters a lot in the style Boston wants to play. He’s also shown his touch near the rim, and that has only strengthened his case.
Still, he’s on an expiring deal, and if Cenac keeps climbing, Boston could end up staring at an uncomfortable decision. Garza has done plenty to earn more runway, but if the rookie is already pushing past him, it adds another layer to the idea that this could be Garza’s final season in Boston.
That wouldn’t mean he hasn’t earned a shot somewhere else.
Williams is in a different spot, but not a safer one. Since arriving in 2025, he’s been mostly fine in the chances he’s gotten.
He hasn’t looked lost, and he definitely hasn’t played himself out of the picture. Even so, if Cenac is already ahead of him, the comparison can start to get uncomfortable.
It would raise real questions about where Williams fits going forward, and whether his Boston run ends up resembling JD Davison’s path.
For now, it’s still preseason, and that matters. But Cenac’s stock has clearly moved in the right direction. If he keeps showing that he helps when he’s on the floor, it may become difficult to keep him behind Garza or Williams for much longer.
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Jayson Tatum Knows What Celtics Must Chase Again This Season
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Now the challenge is less about reliving that moment than getting back to a place where another one is possible. Boston enters the new season with plenty of uncertainty after trades and a deeper field of contenders, while Tatum also comes in after recovering from an Achilles injury. He has said he is optimistic about returning to a normal NBA season, and for the Celtics, that is where the focus has to start before they can think about another downtown celebration. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Defense Is Showing A New Edge Fans Will Notice
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There is still plenty to prove once the schedule toughens, but the early signs are hard to ignore for a team that wants its defense to travel when it matters most. The leagues preseason has also brought an unsettling reminder of how quickly things can change, with season-ending Achilles injuries to Otega Oweh and Ariel Hukporti adding to a worrying trend around the NBA. [Read more 🡒]
Payton Pritchard Just Showed Why Celtics Wanted Him Long Term
Payton Pritchard has gone from being a dependable reserve to a starter the Celtics can count on, and Boston rewarded that rise with a new two-year extension. After a season in which he averaged 17 points per game, Pritchard has made clear he sees the fit in Boston as more than just a basketball one, noting how much he values playing for an organization that demands a certain level every night.
For the Celtics, the move is about keeping a player who has grown into a larger role without changing the identity that helped him get there. Pritchards comments also hint at why the deal made sense from both sides, because Bostons expectations can be heavy but they also tend to reveal who is ready for them. [Read more 🡒]