Everybody is wondering the same thing about the Boston Celtics. With Jayson Tatum, who takes the wheel next? They have a plethora of talent, but nobody with Tatum’s experience as a cornerstone. It’s usually the ‘next man up’ mentality that would naturally place Jaylen Brown in this responsibility. But Tatum knows it won’t be enough.
The Celtics also lost Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday during the offseason. With so many pieces shifting, the entire structure has to change. So Tatum does think Brown will have “a bigger role” to play this season. But he’s also expecting more from some of his other teammates.
“Some nights that guys are out, guys are expected or have more of an opportunity with myself, Al, KP, and Jrue, you know, you we lost a couple guys, right, that were key to our offense or our team as a whole. So, I expect JB to have a bigger role. I expect Dereck White to have a bigger role. Sam Hauser and Payton and Baylor and all those guys, Nene, who’s going to be probably starting center for us,” Tatum told Stephen A. Smith.
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Brown is a Finals MVP and has become a reliable contributor for the Shamrocks. White has had his best years with the Celtics. The two new starters, Pritchard is coming off a career-high 14.3 points season, and Neemias Queta showed out for Portugal during the EuroBasket 2025. Despite all that the Celtics lost, they are still a threat in the East.
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That’s a part of their culture. Going for the championship is the only objective. Jayson Tatum hasn’t ruled out his chances of returning this season. But even if that is the case, his expectations aren’t changing. Particularly, he isn’t willing to give up the East.
Tatum warns the Knicks about the looming Celtics threat
By comparison, the New York Knicks appear to be the top team in the East. They carry the same star-studded starting five as last season. But great offseason business like signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele has fortified the team with great depth. Not many teams in the East can match their quality.
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Likewise, Stephen A. Smith was jumping as a diehard Knicks fan. “I see this as a prime opportunity for the New York Knicks to take advantage of this opening here,” he said about their chances. Jayson Tatum, knowing how season expectations can turn around in a flash, alerted the ESPN analyst about all the obstacles.
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Moreover, he also didn’t want Smith to think the Celtics would just give up their stronghold. “We have to see who works well with each other, who doesn’t, who stays healthy and all the things. Um, so it’s still it’s too early to tell, but I love the guys that we have on our team. I love the core group that we still have that won a championship together with some new guys. We still got the best coach in the NBA,” Tatum said.
Mazzulla has shaped the Celtics’ iron resilience. Just because a lot of their roster has changed, that doesn’t mean he is going to quit. Joe Mazzulla is going to expect only the highest from his team. And even without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics can’t just be counted out.