The Boston Celtics have undergone a major roster overhaul this offseason, and their future has become much less certain just one year removed from their NBA championship.
The Celtics appeared poised to contend for a second consecutive title in 2024-25, though they ultimately fell to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. To make matters worse, Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign. In the wake of Tatum’s injury, Boston decided to take a conservative approach to the 2025-26 campaign amid looming financial constraints.
The organization traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to shed salary, and Boston also lost Luke Kornet in free agency. Additionally, Al Horford isn’t expected to return. With the team seemingly approaching a gap year, the future has become murky.
MORE: Proposed Celtics trade lands All-Star center for Anfernee Simons
Celtics fall outside top 10 in future rankings
ESPN recently analyzed the future outlook of all 30 NBA teams, with NBA insider Tim Bontemps explaining why the Celtics slipped from No. 2 in 2024-25 to No. 13 just one year later.
“A year ago, the Celtics were the defending champions en route to dominating the Eastern Conference for years,” he wrote. “Then, Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in May, Boston failed to get out of the second round and the team traded Porzingis and Jrue Holiday this summer.”
With a lackluster frontcourt group and a retooled roster, the Celtics are unlikely to make any significant noise in the 2025-26 campaign. However, their ranking suggests their championship window isn’t completely closed.
Their cost-cutting maneuvers should help them pick up the pieces if Tatum can return to form in 2026-27. Furthermore, the team doesn’t need to rush him back this season, as Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are both under contract through the 2028-29 campaign, when the latter’s player option kicks in.
While the Celtics’ outlook has drastically changed since the beginning of last season, anything can happen in the NBA.
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