TITLE: Mazzulla Faces Challenging Season as Celtics Shuffle Roster and Roles
SLUG: mazzulla-faces-challenging-season-as-celtics-shuffle-roster-and-roles
CONTENT:
Head coach Joe Mazzulla enters the 2025-26 campaign with a new contract extension but a drastically different roster, raising questions about how the Boston Celtics will navigate the season without several key contributors.
The biggest obstacle is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, which could sideline the All-NBA forward for the entire year. Boston also moved on from Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in cost-cutting trades and lost Luke Kornet, with veteran Al Horford expected to depart in free agency. The turnover leaves Mazzulla with a group less suited to his three-point-heavy system, and observers expect the coach to modify his approach.
Former Celtics forward and radio analyst Cedric Maxwell told The Boston Globe that Mazzulla’s competitiveness should keep the undermanned lineup engaged. “Joe Mazzulla’s not going to let them take a step back,” Maxwell said, adding that effort could give Boston a chance to steal wins despite reduced talent.
Lineup Outlook
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are the only guaranteed starters heading into training camp. In a mailbag for MassLive, beat writer Brian Robb argued that Payton Pritchard deserves to be penciled in alongside White in the backcourt, noting that recently acquired guard Anfernee Simons does not appear to be part of the club’s long-term vision.
Robb projects a more fluid frontcourt. He expects Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta to open most games, with newcomer Chris Boucher sliding in when Mazzulla opts for a double-big lineup.
Injury Updates and Player Movement
Queta sustained a minor right-hip issue during a EuroBasket tune-up game this week, according to MassLive’s Souichi Terada, but the center is reportedly fine and will suit up for Portugal once the tournament begins.
Elsewhere, rookie wing RJ Luis weighed two-way offers from Boston and Utah in June before choosing the Jazz, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer said on a recent livestream. Luis never appeared for Utah’s Summer League squad because of a leg injury. Earlier this month, the Celtics acquired the 6-foot-6 guard in a trade that also involved Georges Niang and draft picks.
Source: Hoops Rumors
