Celtics’ Coach Almost Fought Newest Player, Former Champion

The Boston Celtics are one of the only NBA teams that are still making additions a month into the NBA offseason. Their latest move saw them acquire Chris Boucher from the Toronto Raptors, but he’s not heading to Boston with no previous run-ins with the team. 

In a 2023 Celtics vs. Raptors matchup, head coach Joe Mazzulla and Boucher nearly got into a fight in the middle of the game. The big man bumped the coach, and a scuffle almost broke out, with Mazzulla being held back by former Celtics player Robert Williams. 

“Mazzulla gonna have this clip playing on a loop when Boucher walks in the facility for the first time,” Celtics insider Chris Forsberg of NBC Boston wrote on X.

Mazzulla has yet to comment on Boucher joining the Celtics, but all previous proof points to the fact that he’s probably happy to have him on the team, and the incident was just a ‘heat of the moment’ thing. 

Boston Making Moves

The biggest aspect of this Celtics team is Jayson Tatum‘s injury. While they have to wait for him to return healthy, Boston’s had some massive roster turnover just over a year after their 2024 NBA championship win. 

First, they traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Then, they lost Luke Kornet in free agency, right when he was finding a groove in the playoffs, and expect to also lose Al Horford in free agency, to the Golden State Warriors. 

They stayed quiet for a few weeks, with a roster featuring Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. 

While Simons and Hauser have recently been floated as potential players that could be moved, their latest trade involved sending Georges Niang to the Utah Jazz for two second-round picks. The Celtics then signed Boucher to a $3.3 million deal, a discount from the $8 million Niang was owed.

“The Niang trade allowed Boston the flexibility to remain below the second apron after adding Boucher,” Bobby Marks of ESPN wrote. “They are now $7.8 million below the second apron after both moves and saved $34 million in luxury tax penalties.”

Celtics Might Not Be Done Yet

After making the Niang trade to free up money and escape potential luxury tax penalties, some believe the Celtics could be set up for another move, which could come this offseason. 

“Boston has accomplished their feat of getting under the second apron by shedding big contracts that Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were owed. They still might be trying to get under the first apron,” Ryan Stano of Sports Illustrated wrote. “New owner Bill Chisholm clearly gave Brad Stevens a directive to shed as much salary as possible this offseason. Brad Stevens has done an excellent job of doing just that.”

In all likelihood, another trade would come to cut their payroll for 2025-26 down even further. While Pritchard believes Boston still has a chance to compete in the East next season, all expectations show that without Tatum, it will be a gap year in Beantown. 

“If there was ever a time to get under the luxury tax, this would be the year to do it, with Jayson Tatum set to miss most of next season with a torn Achilles,” Stano added. “They have no shot at winning a title without him.

Though a title next season might be out of the question, the Celtics did get good news after  Tatum was seen at New England Patriots training camp walking without a boot just a few months after his Achilles surgery. 

Boston’s team president gave a positive update on the star player, too. Regardless of whether it means he will return this season or not, any positive news on Tatum is music to Celtics fans’ ears.