The Boston Celtics are entering a fascinating new chapter.
Boston remains a contender in the Eastern Conference, but the roster surrounding Jayson Tatum looks considerably different from the championship-caliber groups Celtics fans became accustomed to watching over the past several seasons.
The biggest change is impossible to overlook: Jaylen Brown is gone.
Boston traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason and brought veteran star Paul George to the Celtics. The move officially shifts the franchise into a new version of the Tatum era, with George, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard forming the veteran core around him.
The Celtics also strengthened their interior defense by signing Mitchell Robinson, added veteran point guard Mike Conley, retained several important young players and used the 2026 NBA Draft to bring more frontcourt potential into the organization.
Boston isn’t rebuilding.
The Celtics are retooling with the expectation that they can remain among the best teams in the East.
Looking Back at the 2025-26 Celtics
Boston finished the 2025-26 regular season 56-26, an impressive accomplishment considering Jayson Tatum missed the first 62 games while recovering from his Achilles injury.
However, the postseason produced a much different story.
The Celtics were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round after surrendering a 3-1 series advantage.
For an organization that expects to compete for championships, another early playoff exit created questions about whether Boston needed to change the formula around Tatum.
The front office answered that question aggressively.
Instead of simply bringing back the same group, Boston made one of the biggest trades of the 2026 offseason.
Jayson Tatum Is Back at the Center of Everything
The most important development for Boston isn’t a trade or free-agent signing.
It’s having a healthy Jayson Tatum.
Tatum’s return during the second half of last season provided the Celtics with their franchise player again, but 2026-27 gives him the opportunity to enter a season healthy and establish himself once again as Boston’s unquestioned centerpiece.
The dynamics are different now.
For years, Boston basketball was built around Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That partnership produced an NBA championship and several deep postseason runs.
Now Tatum becomes the clear face of the next version of the Celtics.
His scoring will obviously remain essential, but his ability to create opportunities for George, White, Pritchard and Boston’s collection of shooters and big men could determine the team’s offensive ceilingo.
Paul George Arrives in Boston
Boston’s blockbuster offseason move was trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and future draft compensation.
George gives Boston an experienced two-way wing who can score from multiple areas, create his own shot, defend different positions and play without dominating the basketball.
At 36 years old, however, he represents a very different investment than Brown.
The Celtics aren’t acquiring George for what he might become. They’re betting on what he can still provide right now.
Playing alongside Tatum should prevent Boston from having to ask George to carry the offense every night. Ideally, he can operate as the No. 2 option while White and Pritchard provide additional scoring.
The key will be keeping George healthy and productive through the postseason.
If Boston gets a strong season from George, a Tatum-George combination remains extremely difficult to defend.
Mitchell Robinson Gives Boston a Defensive Presence
One of Boston’s most interesting additions is Mitchell Robinson.
The former New York Knicks center gives Joe Mazzulla a legitimate rim protector and rebounder who doesn’t need offensive touches to influence games.
Robinson should be particularly valuable against teams with size.
Boston can pair or alternate him with Neemias Queta depending on matchups, giving Mazzulla two physical centers capable of controlling the paint.
Robinson’s biggest question has traditionally been availability. If Boston can keep him healthy, he could become one of the Celtics’ most important additions.
Mike Conley Adds Veteran Leadership
Boston also signed veteran point guard Mike Conley to a one-year contract.
At 38, Conley isn’t being brought in to carry the Celtics for 35 minutes every night. His value comes through experience, decision-making, shooting, leadership and his ability to organize an offense.
Conley gives Boston another ball-handler behind White and Pritchard while providing an experienced presence for the Celtics’ younger guards.
His impact could become especially valuable during the postseason when possessions become more important and mistakes are magnified.
Derrick White Remains One of Boston’s Most Important Players
The roster may be changing, but Derrick White remains one of the Celtics’ constants.
White’s combination of perimeter defense, shot blocking from the guard position, three-point shooting and playmaking makes him one of Boston’s most versatile players.
His responsibilities could increase following Brown’s departure.
There will be nights when Tatum or George receives most of the attention, leaving White with opportunities to attack defenses.
Boston doesn’t necessarily need White to become a traditional second superstar. The Celtics need him to continue doing the things that make winning easier.
Payton Pritchard Could Have an Expanded Role
Payton Pritchard has steadily become an increasingly important part of Boston’s rotation.
The 2026-27 season could provide another opportunity for his role to expand.
Pritchard brings shooting range, toughness, energy and the ability to create offense. Boston can use him as a starter or continue utilizing him as an offensive weapon off the bench.
Regardless of his official role, expect Pritchard to receive major minutes.
Neemias Queta Earned His Opportunity
One of Boston’s biggest success stories last season was Neemias Queta.
Queta averaged approximately 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while starting 75 games, establishing himself as a legitimate NBA center.
Boston rewarded him with a four-year contract during the offseason.
The arrival of Robinson creates competition at center, but that doesn’t mean Queta’s role disappears.
Mazzulla now has options.
Queta could retain the starting position, Robinson could start, or Boston could rotate the two depending on matchups.
Either way, Boston suddenly has substantial size in the middle.
Celtics’ Young Wings Have an Opportunity
One of the most intriguing storylines of training camp will involve Boston’s young perimeter players.
Hugo González, Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh should all have opportunities to earn larger roles.
Brown’s departure creates minutes that someone must absorb.
González brings defensive energy and physicality and could compete for a starting position. Scheierman’s shooting and offensive versatility make him another possibility.
Walsh continues developing into a long, athletic defender with the potential to handle multiple positions.
Boston doesn’t necessarily need all three to break out.
If even one develops into a reliable two-way rotation player, the Celtics become significantly deeper.
Chris Cenac Jr. Headlines Boston’s 2026 Draft Class
Boston used the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Chris Cenac Jr., a 6-foot-11 forward/center from Houston.
Cenac brings size, athleticism, rebounding potential and defensive upside.
He’s only 19 years old, so expectations should remain realistic.
With Robinson, Queta and Luka Garza already available, Boston doesn’t have to rush Cenac into major minutes. He can develop while learning the professional game.
Long term, however, Cenac could become an important frontcourt piece.
Boston also selected Dillon Mitchell with the No. 40 pick.
Mitchell is a 6-foot-8 athletic forward who can defend, rebound and create havoc with his physical tools. He later signed a two-way contract, giving Boston another developmental player to watch.
Boston Celtics 2026-27 Current Roster
Guards/Wings
- Jayson Tatum
- Paul George
- Derrick White
- Payton Pritchard
- Sam Hauser
- Baylor Scheierman
- Hugo González
- Jordan Walsh
- Ron Harper Jr.
- Max Shulga
- Mike Conley
Forwards/Centers
- Mitchell Robinson
- Neemias Queta
- Luka Garza
- Chris Cenac Jr.
Two-Way/Developmental Player
- Amari Williams
- Dillon Mitchell
Training Camp/Exhibit 10 Players
- Milos Uzan
- Tucker DeVries
The final regular-season roster remains subject to change before opening night.
Celtics’ Major 2026 Offseason Additions
Paul George
The centerpiece of Boston’s offseason. George gives the Celtics another high-level scorer and two-way wing next to Tatum.
Mitchell Robinson
Robinson brings rebounding, interior defense and rim protection to a frontcourt that needed additional size.
Mike Conley
Conley adds veteran point guard depth, leadership and another reliable decision-maker.
Chris Cenac Jr.
Boston’s first-round pick provides long-term frontcourt upside.
Dillon Mitchell
The second-round selection brings athleticism and defensive potential while developing on a two-way contract.
Boston also brought Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries into the organization on Exhibit 10 deals.
Players Boston Retained
The Celtics made several important decisions to maintain continuity.
Neemias Queta received a four-year contract after his breakout season.
Ron Harper Jr. agreed to a three-year deal, giving Boston another young wing who can compete for rotation minutes.
Jordan Walsh received a three-year extension, showing that the organization continues to believe in his development.
Those moves are important because Boston needs affordable young contributors around its expensive veteran stars.
Who the Celtics Lost
The biggest departure was unquestionably Jaylen Brown.
Brown was more than simply Tatum’s running mate. He was one of the defining players of Boston’s recent era and an essential piece of its championship team.
Replacing everything Brown provided won’t be easy.
Paul George may replace some of his scoring and defensive versatility, but Boston will need several players to collectively compensate for Brown’s production.
The Celtics also lost Nikola Vučević, who left in free agency for Orlando.
Dalano Banton was waived during the offseason after finishing the previous season with Boston.
The result is a roster that looks considerably different from the one that entered last year’s playoffs.
Boston Celtics Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Joe Mazzulla
Boston enters another season under Joe Mazzulla, whose approach will be tested by a reshaped roster.
His current staff includes assistants:
- Sam Cassell
- Amile Jefferson
- Tony Dobbins
- D.J. MacLeay
- Matt Reynolds
Trainer: Drew Moore
Mazzulla now faces the challenge of integrating George, Robinson and Conley while finding meaningful opportunities for Boston’s younger players.
How he balances the veteran core with the developing talent could become one of the biggest stories of the season.
Potential Celtics Starting Lineup
A possible opening lineup could feature:
PG – Derrick White
SG – Hugo González or Payton Pritchard
SF – Paul George
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Neemias Queta or Mitchell Robinson
There are numerous combinations available.
Boston could start Pritchard alongside White to maximize shooting and ball handling, or Mazzulla could prefer González’s size and defensive potential.
The center competition between Queta and Robinson should also be worth watching throughout training camp.
Biggest Strength: Two-Way Versatility
Boston can still put several excellent defenders on the floor simultaneously.
White, George and Tatum give the Celtics three experienced perimeter defenders. Robinson and Queta can protect the interior, while González and Walsh provide younger defensive options.
Boston also maintains plenty of three-point shooting with Tatum, George, White, Pritchard, Hauser and Scheierman.
That combination should allow Mazzulla to create multiple lineup styles.
Biggest Concern: Age and Health
There is significant upside to Boston’s roster, but there is also risk.
George is 36.
Conley turns 39 shortly after the season begins.
Robinson’s injury history makes his availability something Boston will have to manage carefully.
Tatum is returning for his first full season following a major Achilles injury.
That’s why the development of González, Scheierman, Walsh, Queta, Harper and potentially Cenac becomes so important.
Boston cannot expect its veterans to carry the entire workload for 82 games.
X-Factor: Paul George
Boston knows what a healthy Tatum can do.
The biggest variable is George.
If George can remain healthy and provide high-level scoring, shooting and defense, Boston’s ceiling remains extremely high.
If injuries or age significantly reduce his effectiveness, replacing Brown becomes much more difficult.
George doesn’t necessarily need to play like the superstar he was during his prime.
Boston needs him to be an efficient, dependable second option who can occasionally take over games when Tatum needs help.
Player to Watch: Hugo González
Keep an eye on Hugo González.
The 20-year-old has an opportunity to take a significant second-year leap, particularly after Brown’s departure opened minutes on the wing.
His defense can get him on the floor.
If his shooting and offensive confidence improve, González could become one of Boston’s most important young players.
A breakout season from González would give the Celtics another long, athletic defender capable of playing alongside their veteran stars.
Boston Celtics 2026-27 Season Prediction
The Celtics should remain one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, but expecting them to dominate the conference would underestimate how much has changed.
Boston won 56 games last season despite Tatum missing most of the regular season. Getting him back for a full campaign should provide an enormous boost.
At the same time, Brown’s departure is significant.
The Celtics will need George to remain healthy, White to continue performing at a high level, Pritchard to produce consistently and at least one of their younger wings to take another step forward.
The East also won’t make things easy.
Boston will be competing with teams such as the defending champion New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and other improving Eastern Conference opponents.
The Hoop Post Prediction: 52-30
A finish in the 50-to-54 win range appears realistic.
Projected Record: 52-30
Projected Eastern Conference Finish: 3rd-5th
Ceiling: NBA Finals/Championship contender
Floor: First-round playoff exit
Prediction: Eastern Conference semifinals with a legitimate opportunity to advance farther
Final Thoughts
This isn’t the same Boston Celtics team that won a championship with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown together.
It’s the beginning of another phase.
Tatum is now unquestionably the centerpiece. George becomes his veteran co-star. White and Pritchard take on greater responsibility. Robinson gives Boston another physical presence inside, while Queta, González, Walsh, Scheierman and Cenac represent an increasingly important younger generation.
Boston has enough talent to contend.
But the Celtics’ championship chances will depend on three things: health, George’s ability to remain an elite secondary option and the development of Boston’s young players.
The Brown trade ensures there will be an adjustment period, but this isn’t an organization preparing to take a step backward.
The Celtics are trying to extend their championship window while simultaneously building the next layer of their roster.
If Tatum is healthy and Boston’s offseason gamble on George pays off, the Celtics could once again find themselves playing deep into May — and perhaps June.
The Hoop Post 2026-27 Celtics Prediction: 52-30, top-five seed in the Eastern Conference and a serious threat to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
