The Boston Celtics have taken plenty of heat this summer, but the idea that they’ve suddenly fallen apart feels premature.
Yes, there’s real frustration around the Jaylen Brown trade. Yes, the failed Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit stung.
And yes, the lack of a major upgrade at center left a lot of fans wanting more. Those are fair complaints.
But even with all that noise, Boston still looks like a team that should be good next season.
That doesn’t mean title talk is back on the table. The Celtics probably weren’t true championship contenders before the offseason started, and nothing they’ve done since has changed that. Still, this is the same team that finished as the No. 2 seed in the East, and the roster remains interesting enough to matter.
A big part of Boston’s case comes down to internal growth. There are several players who could be stepping into larger roles, starting with Payton Pritchard, who might move into the full-time starting group and see his usage climb.
Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Ron Harper Jr. also appear set to move up the depth chart. And to some degree, Jayson Tatum could be looking at the biggest role of his career so far.
That doesn’t make the Celtics a finished product, and it doesn’t suddenly turn them into a team built to win a title right now. But there is still plenty of talent here, and the next step is clear: keep developing the group and try to turn more of these players into championship-caliber pieces down the road.
Boston has also earned some benefit of the doubt when it comes to getting production out of its roster. In recent years, the team has repeatedly found ways to squeeze value out of players, and last season Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Josh Minott all had career years with the Celtics, even if Minott’s run was brief. That track record matters, especially with the way this offseason has unfolded.
And while Brown has dominated the conversation, the Celtics did make additions that deserve attention. Paul George may not have arrived in the cleanest way, but he can still play and should be a strong sidekick for Tatum whenever he’s on the floor.
Mitchell Robinson gives Boston more rebounding and physicality at center. Mike Conley brings veteran leadership.
And in summer league, rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell have both looked solid.
So even if the offseason has been messy, the roster isn’t empty of promise. Boston addressed several needs, and on paper the team still has enough to make the short-term and long-term outlook worth watching closely.
In Other News...
Celtics May Be Leaning Toward A Center Choice Fans Wont Expect
Bostons center picture is suddenly one of the more interesting questions on the roster, with Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson both in the mix to open next season. Queta has the advantage of continuity after three years in the system, and his steady improvement has made him a real candidate rather than a placeholder, while Robinson brings the kind of defensive presence that can change a game when he is on the floor.
The choice still feels like it could come down to how much Boston values familiarity versus upside, especially with Luka Garza available as another option if the rotation gets thin. The Celtics are still expected to be competitive next season, so this is less about finding a stopgap and more about deciding which center best fits a team trying to keep its edge without taking unnecessary risks. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Linked To Another Massive Post Jaylen Brown Swing
Bostons post-Jaylen Brown roster picture is already being scrutinized, and the latest chatter around the league centers on how aggressive the Celtics might want to get if they decide to keep swinging big. Any pursuit of a premium wing would have to be weighed against the kind of asset haul that has defined recent blockbuster trades, the sort of market where front offices have to decide whether the fit is worth the future cost.
There is at least some reason to understand why the speculation has traction, since the player in question still has three years and $88 million left on his deal, which gives any acquiring team a clean runway if it wants to chase him. Even so, the skepticism is obvious, because comparisons to the Desmond Bane and Mikal Bridges deals only underline how expensive this kind of move can get, and why Bostons next major step may be easier to imagine than to actually pull off. [Read more 🡒]