The Boston Celtics were on top of the basketball world just a year ago, but a lot has changed since then. The Celtics have lost some key pieces this offseason, and with Jayson Tatum likely out for a year after tearing his Achilles, too, their projected starting lineup for 2025-26 looks vastly different from the one in 2024-25.
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The Celtics came into the 2024-25 season as title favorites, largely thanks to that impressive starting five. Even with Kristaps Porzingis missing much of the 2024 playoffs due to injury, they had won the title relatively easily, going 16-3 in the postseason.
The Celtics would prove to be one of the best teams in the NBA again in 2024-25, finishing the campaign with a 61-21 record. Their hopes of defending their title would be squashed in the Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, however.
The Knicks won the first two games in Boston to put themselves in the driver's seat for the series. The Celtics managed to avert total disaster by winning Game 3, but would lose Game 4 and see Tatum suffer that Achilles tear on the night as well.
Once it was clear that Tatum was set to be out long-term, you knew major changes were inevitable in the offseason. The Celtics were expected to try to get out of the second apron as it is, and the injury meant they had absolutely no incentive to keep the core together.
First, the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Not long after, Porzingis was sent to the Atlanta Hawks along with a second-round pick for Georges Niang and a second-round pick.
The Celtics saved approximately $260 million in luxury tax after trading Holiday and Porzingis. These moves enabled them to get under the second apron as well.
While those are some big positives, the Celtics are going to suffer on the court. They have won more than 55 games in each of the last three seasons, and it's safe to say they won't be extending that streak.
With Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, and Derrick White still on the roster, the Celtics aren't at risk of bottoming out, but they won't be making much noise in 2025-26. They should make the playoffs with how weak the Eastern Conference is, but winning even one playoff series will prove to be extremely difficult.
Having Niang and Xavier Tillman as two of your starters certainly isn't ideal. The Celtics could have Neemias Queta or the recently acquired Luka Garza in the lineup instead of Tillman, but those two aren't massive upgrades either.
The Celtics could potentially bring back Al Horford, who is a free agent, but there is competition for his services. The Golden State Warriors are reportedly one of the teams interested in Horford, and his departure would be another blow. While the 39-year-old isn't exactly a huge difference-maker at this stage of his career, he still has a positive impact on the court.
Time will tell if the Celtics are able to retain Horford. Even if they do accomplish that, though, this upcoming season will be somewhat of a write-off. The front office's focus needs to be on figuring out how they can build a title-contending roster next year when Tatum comes back.
