Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet are gone, and while the Celtics feel optimistic about their potential replacements, the drop-off could also be steep. Returning big man Neemias Queta, who played well for Portugal during EuroBasket this summer, figures to get the first look at center. He is more of a traditional big man but is working to add a perimeter shot that coach Joe Mazzulla values so highly.
Luka Garza has put up modest numbers during his career, but that is partly due to limited opportunities. He averaged just 6.3 minutes per game over three years with the Timberwolves. The Celtics are intrigued by his efficiency as a paint scorer and offensive rebounder, although his defense remains an issue.
Power forward Chris Boucher shot 36.3 percent from the 3-point line last season and will help give the Celtics lineups with better floor spacing. Xavier Tillman battled knee issues last season but would provide valuable defensive versatility if healthy.
The Celtics had success with double big lineups last season, but the talent decrease this year will likely make it more challenging to use those groupings as often.
▪ Jaylen’s time
Over the years Jaylen Brown has sometimes bristled at the suggestion that he is a tier below Tatum. And to be fair, Brown is a four-time All-Star and NBA Finals MVP. But this season he will get his first and perhaps only chance as the Celtics’ clear-cut No. 1 option. It will be interesting to see if he is ready.
Although Brown has improved as a playmaker, his ballhandling and passing remain shaky, and last season he shot a career-low 32.4 percent from the 3-point line. Now, with Tatum out and Porzingis gone, he will always be the primary focus of opposing defenses.
Following Horford’s departure, the team will likely turn to Brown to become the most prominent voice in the locker room, too, this time for a team that is expected to hover around .500.
â–ª Simon says
The last time the Celtics traded for a young guard who was a gifted scorer and a defensive liability, things turned out quite well. No one is expecting Anfernee Simons to become the next Isaiah Thomas, of course, but his arrival as part of the salary-shedding trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers should be getting more attention.
Simons, 26, averaged about 20 points per game over the last three seasons and is a career 38.1 percent 3-point shooter. He did not reach the playoffs during his four years as a starter in Portland, and the Celtics are hopeful that he will embrace their defense-first system and culture.
Also, Simons is on an expiring contract. That should motivate him, and it could also be something to watch when the February trade deadline arrives and the trajectory of the Celtics’ season is clearer.
â–ª X-factor emergence
The Celtics had promising young players last season, but they were also the defending NBA champions and had a deep roster with an obvious hierarchy. This year, there should be real opportunities for everyone.
Queta will obviously see a much larger workload. Third-year wing Jordan Walsh will need to prove that he can consistently hit open jump-shots. Baylor Scheierman’s confidence began to swell as his rookie season progressed and showed real promise as a passer. But keep an eye on Josh Minott, 22, who signed with Boston this summer after spending his first three seasons with the Timberwolves. The 6-foot-8-inch, defensive-minded wing should give the Celtics a jolt of toughness and athleticism.