Paul George is already talking like a player ready to be dropped into the Celtics’ spotlight.
With the NBA season only a couple of months away, Boston’s offseason move to bring in George has been one of the biggest talking points around the league. The trade came last month, and while plenty of fans have pushed back on the decision to move on from Brown and add George plus picks, the veteran forward’s latest comments should at least soften some of that frustration heading into the 2026-27 season.
In a recent video posted on the Celtics YouTube channel, George made his mindset clear: “I’m gonna give y’all everything... It’s surreal.
I’m ecstatic. I’m looking forward to the journey.
I’m looking forward to wearing that green and representing for Boston” (via Daniel Donabedian).
That doesn’t mean Boston is expecting George to step in and fully replace the production Brown delivered in previous seasons. But there is a role for him here, and if he handles it the right way, it can still turn into a strong season for both sides.
What Celtics fans can reasonably hope for is simple: George fitting cleanly alongside Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and the rest of the group while helping Boston stay in the mix.
And the mix should be crowded. The East looks like it’s going to be a grind all year, with several teams upgrading their rosters. Even so, there’s no reason the Celtics shouldn’t be in the conversation for one of the top spots in the conference.
In Other News...
Celtics Fans Just Got Their First Look At Bostons New Core
Bostons new-look core is already starting to take shape, and the first public glimpse came with Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley all stopping by the Celtics training facility. The trio, brought in for the 2026-27 season after the Jaylen Brown trade, was featured in an official team video that gave fans their first real sense of how the group will look together in green.
Brad Stevens has already weighed in on the fit, pointing to what each player can add as Boston reshapes its roster around a different mix of talent and experience. For Celtics fans, the visit offered more than just a welcome photo-op - it was an early look at how the organization plans to move forward after one of its biggest roster swings in years. [Read more 🡒]
Jayson Tatums New Celtics Role Is Already Coming Into Focus
Jayson Tatum is already back in offseason training as he eyes the 2026-27 NBA season, and the early shape of his return says plenty about where the Celtics are headed next. After the torn Achilles tendon that limited him to 16 games last season, Tatum has been easing back into work, including boxing sessions with head coach Joe Mazzulla, a small detail that still speaks to a bigger point about how Boston wants him engaged and conditioned.
The change in the roster has only sharpened that picture, with Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia and the Celtics needing Tatum to shoulder more of the offense. The numbers from past seasons back up that direction, too, since Boston has generally fared well when Tatums usage climbs above 33%, which suggests the team is not just hoping for a bigger load from him but building toward one. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Rookies Face Very Different Paths To Early Playing Time
The Celtics brought in two rookies with development in mind, but their early paths look very different. Chris Cenac Jr. has the cleaner runway to crack the rotation sooner, while Dillon Mitchell is working from a more complicated spot in the roster picture. Boston has a pair of young players who are still viewed as projects, yet both carry the kind of long-term upside that can matter once a team starts looking for cheap, useful minutes.
Mitchells challenge is especially tricky because he is battling for attention behind more established wings, and the first step is sharpening his jump shot enough to make the staff trust him in game action. Cenac, meanwhile, has the benefit of a standard rookie deal and the kind of contract status that can make it easier for the Celtics to give him a look when opportunities open up. For a team that values growth as much as fit, these next few months should say plenty about how quickly either rookie can turn promise into a real role. [Read more 🡒]