As the Celtics gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season, fans can expect to see numerous new players on the team. This influx of new talent is a typical product of the league’s cycles, particularly after the significant roster changes the Celtics made this offseason to reduce their expenses.
Despite these changes, familiar figures like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard remain. Notably, Jayson Tatum is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury, leaving uncertainty about his participation in the upcoming season. Overall, the Celtics appear significantly different compared to recent years.
This raises an important question that fans have been debating: Who will fill the starting positions for the Celtics? The team no longer boasts the deep talent pool it had in the previous two seasons, when they arguably featured the best roster in the league. Here’s a breakdown of the starting lineup discussion:
Guards (3): Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons
Forwards (7): Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh (non-guaranteed), Josh Minott, Hugo Gonzalez, Jayson Tatum (injured)
Bigs (4): Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman, Luka Garza
Two-ways (3): RJ Luis Jr., Max Shulga, Amari Williams
The Obvious Picks
Considering their performances in past seasons, Brown and White are almost assured spots in the starting lineup. This upcoming year presents a unique narrative for the Celtics.
With Tatum unavailable for a significant part of the season, Brown will likely become the primary option. Although the support around him isn’t as formidable, it provides an intriguing opportunity for an All-Star like Brown to highlight his capabilities. After an excellent 2023-24 season where he earned Finals MVP, he had offseason knee surgery, indicating a challenging year ahead.
White has established himself as one of the league’s top glue players and set a new franchise record for three-pointers last season. As the roster evolves, he is expected to take on more responsibilities, potentially even earning an All-Star bid if he performs well early in the season.
The Guard Duo
Since joining the Celtics from the Trail Blazers, Simons has been the focus of trade rumors, given his expiring $27.7 million contract. This situation aligns with the team’s goal to reduce payroll expenses.
Currently, Simons remains a Celtic. However, the fit between him and Pritchard will be critical, particularly since both are smaller guards with overlapping skill sets.
Who Will Step Up?
With Tatum having played the fifth-most minutes in the league last season, there are plenty of opportunities available. Hauser appears to be a likely candidate for a starting role due to his shooting abilities and familiarity with the team.
Beyond Hauser, several younger players—including Scheierman, Walsh, Minott, and first-round pick Gonzalez—are vying for playing time, although expectations for Gonzalez are tempered as he enters his first season at just 19 years old.
Who Will Step Up? Part II: The Bigs
The Celtics have seen significant changes in their big man roster, moving on from their top three players last season. New additions like Boucher and Garza will join Queta and Tillman in the mix. Queta is deemed a potential starter due to his promising performances, but Boucher and Garza will also be in consideration. Tillman’s health will be crucial as he aims to return to form after struggling last season.
In conclusion, a possible starting lineup could feature Pritchard, White, Brown, Hauser, and Queta. However, it is improbable that none of the new players belong to the starting group, and changes are expected throughout the lengthy season. Speculating about the lineup is enjoyable at this stage, especially with training camp still about a month away.
