The Boston Celtics’ offseason has been a whirlwind, with seismic roster changes and the devastating news of Jayson Tatum’s season-ending Achilles injury shaking #CelticsNation to its core. Trading away two starters to duck under the NBA’s second apron luxury tax, Boston faces the daunting task of replacing three key pieces from last year’s championship-contending squad. As fans speculate about the 2025-26 starting lineup, NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg offers a surprising prediction, slotting Neemias Queta at center and Sam Hauser at power forward. Can this revamped roster, led by Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, keep Boston competitive, or will this be a season of development over contention?
May 14, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics’ 2025 offseason was defined by tough financial and personnel decisions. To avoid the NBA’s restrictive second apron ($190.1 million), the front office traded starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, shedding $63.2 million in combined salary but losing defensive tenacity and floor-spacing. The bombshell, however, was Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles, suffered during a July 2025 Team USA scrimmage, ruling out the 2025 All-NBA First Team forward (30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists in 2024-25). With three starters gone, Boston’s 2025-26 outlook shifts from title contention (54-28, No. 1 seed in 2024-25) to a developmental year, forcing coach Joe Mazzulla to reimagine the lineup around Jaylen Brown, the 2025 Finals MVP (28.7 points, 5.5 rebounds).
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg proposed a bold starting lineup for the season opener on October 28 against the Knicks: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta. This projection, shared on August 20, 2025, raised eyebrows, particularly for its center and power forward choices. Queta, a 7-foot, 245-pound center, emerged as a rim-protecting reserve last season, averaging 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 11.9 minutes across 28 games, per Basketball-Reference. His 64.4% field goal percentage and defensive tenacity (opponents shot 49.2% at the rim against him) make him a viable stopgap, but his limited offensive repertoire—lacking a three-point shot—raises questions. Forsberg’s choice of Queta over Luka Garza, a stretch big who shot 36.1% from three on 2.1 attempts in 2024-25, is surprising. Garza’s 7.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes suggest he could stretch defenses, a critical need for a team losing Porziņģis’ 39.9% three-point shooting.
Sam Hauser at power forward is an even bolder call. The 6’8” sharpshooter thrived as a bench sniper in 2024-25, averaging 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 42.4% from three on 4.9 attempts. His 1.2 three-pointers per game provided spacing for Tatum and Brown, but starting him at the 4 exposes defensive weaknesses. Hauser’s lateral quickness struggles against physical power forwards—opponents shot 46.7% when guarded by him, per NBA.com—making him a target in the post. Forsberg acknowledges this risk, noting, “Teams would certainly try to hunt him down low.” Yet, Hauser’s shooting could stretch defenses, creating lanes for Brown (2.1 drives per game) and White (4.1 assists). His 1.2 steals per 36 minutes show defensive effort, but expecting him to handle the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo or Zion Williamson is a stretch.
The backcourt of Pritchard and White is less controversial but critical. White, a 2025 All-Defensive Second Team guard, anchors the defense with 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists on .461/.396/.900 shooting. His versatility (2.3 three-pointers made) makes him the ideal co-star for Brown, who’ll shoulder a career-high usage rate (31.2% in 2024-25). Pritchard, a sparkplug off the bench last season (9.2 points, 44.3% from three), steps into a larger role after Holiday’s departure. His 1.3 turnovers per game and 0.8 steals suggest he’s ready for 30+ minutes, but replacing Holiday’s elite defense (1.8 steals) is a tall order. Posts on X, like @CelticsCentral’s “Pritchard is ready to breakout,” reflect fan optimism, but his 6’1” frame could be exploited by bigger guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Boston’s lineup decisions are fluid, as Forsberg notes: “Mazzulla will be able to mix and match… there should be experimentation to figure out what gives this team the best opportunity.” The Celtics’ 2024-25 success (1st in net rating at +11.7) leaned on Tatum’s scoring, Holiday’s defense, and Porziņģis’ spacing, but with those pieces gone, Mazzulla must lean on depth. Garza could supplant Queta if his shooting translates, while Al Horford (39 in 2025-26) offers veteran stability (8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds) but may be preserved for the playoffs. Youngsters like Jordan Walsh (1.7 points in G League) and Baylor Scheierman, a 2025 draft pick with 38.9% college three-point shooting, could emerge in spot starts. The Celtics’ $188.4 million payroll, per Spotrac, limits free-agent additions, making internal development critical.
The trade for Anfernee Simons, reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, adds intrigue. Simons, a 23-point scorer with 43.2% three-point shooting in 2024-25, could slot into the starting 2-guard spot, sliding White to point guard and Pritchard to the bench. However, his $25.9 million salary complicates cap management, and his defensive metrics (0.7 steals, 48.1% opponent field goal percentage) don’t match Holiday’s. If acquired, Simons’ scoring could offset Tatum’s absence, but his fit with Brown’s ball-dominant style (3.6 assists per game) is uncertain. Paul Pierce, on FS1’s Speak, expressed concern about Boston’s ceiling without Tatum: “I’m worried about their offense. Jaylen’s great, but they need another creator.” The Celtics’ 2024-25 offense ranked 2nd (118.9 offensive rating), but losing Tatum’s 30.1 points and Porziņģis’ 20.1 drops them closer to league average.
This season’s focus shifts to development over contention. Boston’s championship odds, per FanDuel, dropped from +450 to +1200 after Tatum’s injury, trailing Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Mazzulla’s system, which led the NBA in three-point attempts (42.5 per game) and makes (14.6), suits Hauser and Garza but demands defensive adjustments. Queta’s rim protection (1.1 blocks) and Brown’s two-way play (1.1 steals) must anchor a unit that ranked 5th in defensive rating (110.6). Training camp battles will be key, with Walsh’s athleticism and Scheierman’s shooting vying for minutes. The Athletic’s Jared Weiss projects a 45-37 record, citing Brown’s growth and White’s playmaking but warning of depth issues. X buzz, like @GreenRunsDeep’s “Queta could be a steal,” reflects cautious optimism, but fans fear a step back after last season’s 64-18 dominance.
Challenges loom. Hauser’s defensive limitations could force Mazzulla to stagger his minutes, while Queta’s lack of spacing risks clogging the paint. Pritchard’s increased role (2.7 three-point attempts per game) must offset Holiday’s departure, and Brown faces pressure to elevate his playmaking (1.2 turnovers per game). If Simons joins, his integration could disrupt chemistry, especially with White’s established role. Boston’s bench, led by Horford and Oshae Brissett, must overperform to avoid a play-in finish. A healthy Tatum would’ve kept Boston elite, but his absence opens opportunities for young players to define the franchise’s future. By season’s end, a breakout from Pritchard or Queta could reshape the roster for 2026-27, when Tatum returns.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics face a pivotal 2025-26 season, with Jayson Tatum’s injury and the loss of two starters forcing a bold rebuild around Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. Chris Forsberg’s lineup—featuring Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser in surprising roles—signals a year of experimentation and development. While championship hopes fade, the potential for Pritchard, Queta, or even Luka Garza to emerge could set Boston up for a reloaded future. #CelticsNation, what’s your take? Can this new-look lineup surprise the NBA, or is it a season to build for tomorrow?