We're not that far off...

[Roy H.]

As a reminder, our playoff rotation in 2022 -- when we went to the Finals -- was:

Timelord / Theis
Horford / Grant Williams
Tatum
Brown / White
Smart / Pritchard

Since that time, White and Pritchard have gotten much better. 

The guys who moved on aren't necessarily special:

* a banged up Timelord who missed several playoff games
* an ineffective Theis
* loudmouth me-first Grant Williams
* Marcus Smart

In place of them, we've added Anfernee Simons, who presumably is considered to be a better player than Smart (but who doesn't play defense).  We've added Hauser.  We've got Queta.

The only guy we can't necessarily replace is 2022 Al Horford, but bringing back 2025 Al Horford would be an awfully nice step.

(No discussion of coaching from me here, lol.)

It's not so bad, guys.  And, if Brad wanted, he could have this team tomorrow, I think:

Drummond / Kornet
(Tatum) / Horford
Brown / Hauser
White
Smart / Pritchard

That would involve trading Simons for Smart + pieces, and signing Drummond, Kornet and Horford.

It's not perfect, but again, it's not all that much different than the team that had a plausible shot at a title.

[Celtics4ever]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[celticinorlando]

I've had enough of the Marcus Smart experience and don't really want to recreate 2022. For 2025, I'd rather keep Simons.

Simons
White
Brown
?
?

Bench:
PP
Hauser (probably getting moved)
Niang (I think they keep this fat tub of goo unfortunately)
Walsh (Hasn't shown anything that he can be a real rotational player)
Baylor
Queta
Tillman
2 rookies

So still missing 2 starters. Have no bigs. Have no one off the bench really worth anything other than PP.
I don't see anyway they can get their bench stronger let alone fill out the starting 5.

Is the plan really Queta and Tillman to start? This team needs so much now and have very little to move unless its white or brown. And there is no lock that Al comes back. Same with Kornet. To get one of those guys back you probably have to move Hauser.

I think they are closer to the lottery than to making the playoffs next season and really need to focus on 2026 when they can cut loose a bunch of this deadweight.

[Vermont Green]

Comparing to the 2022 team provides good perspective. Even just the top 3.  Tatum Brown Smart vs. Tatum (post injury) Brown White.  This team will be right there. 

[celticinorlando]

Comparing to the 2022 team provides good perspective. Even just the top 3.  Tatum Brown Smart vs. Tatum (post injury) Brown White.  This team will be right there.

They might be there but it is not going to be until 2026. 2025 is a wash.

The 4 core guys should be PP, White, Brown and Tatum in 2026. Everyone else can go. Start with those 4 guys next season and build out from there.

[Kuberski33]

I would add to Roy's this year roster one of Scheierman/Walsh/Davison. I think all 3 of those guys get a shot at cracking the rotation and I'll be optimisitic and say one of them succeeds.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Great perspective here. And there are few basketball minds as good as Stevens at putting together a supporting cast.

[Vermont Green]

Comparing to the 2022 team provides good perspective. Even just the top 3.  Tatum Brown Smart vs. Tatum (post injury) Brown White.  This team will be right there.

They might be there but it is not going to be until 2026. 2025 is a wash.

The 4 core guys should be PP, White, Brown and Tatum in 2026. Everyone else can go. Start with those 4 guys next season and build out from there.

Agree.  2025/26 is about rebuilding and resetting tax and aprons. 2026/27 is about completing again. 

[Birdman]

Right now Simons might be slightly better than Holiday..as far as Porzingus, the last 2 years in the playoffs he barely played?so we definitely need a big if we don?t sign Al Or Kornet..I would explore Lonnie Walker or someone cheap..Andre Drummond would be a cheap signing at center

[Moranis]

There is a big difference between mid 20's and early 30's as basketball players, especially as the top 2 guys are currently recovering from injuries. We also have to remember that Boston made the Finals in large part that year because Middleton got hurt in the 1st round and didn't play at all in the 7 game 2nd round series against Boston.

I'm not so sure we are going to see either a Tatum or Brown as good as they were in 2022 let alone in 24 when Boston actually won.  Injured players in their 30's dont get better as players (and I know Tatum will be 28 next summer but I still think we've already seen his best).

The one true saving grace is the east doesn't look very good of course they also lost to the Knicks in the 2nd round with a team better than the one they currently have going forward.

[Neurotic Guy]

There is a big difference between mid 20's and early 30's as basketball players, especially as the top 2 guys are currently recovering from injuries. We also have to remember that Boston made the Finals in large part that year because Middleton got hurt in the 1st round and didn't play at all in the 7 game 2nd round series against Boston.

I'm not so sure we are going to see either a Tatum or Brown as good as they were in 2022 let alone in 24 when Boston actually won.  Injured players in their 30's dont get better as players (and I know Tatum will be 28 next summer but I still think we've already seen his best).

The one true saving grace is the east doesn't look very good of course they also lost to the Knicks in the 2nd round with a team better than the one they currently have going forward.

Ugh. We?ve already seen his best is such a meaningless, gratuitously negative statement.  There is little basis for belief either way - so it?s just a choice to be negative or hopeful.  Regardless of examples either way, Tatum is Tatum and not anyone else - we will see how does - and any outcome is possible. 

I don?t see a title run next season as likely, but if this team without Tatum can hang in as a 4-6 seed, and if JT comes back sooner than expected, who knows?  Might at least be interesting.

I agree with Kuberski that one of the youngs can emerge - my money is on Baylor - I think decent chance he?s a decent rotation guy.  And unlike many here I see Walsh as possibly emerging as a regular minutes defensive pest. 

[Neurotic Guy]

Does anyone realistically see Queta as a passable stater or effective backup?  I?d like to think there?s something there, but I think it?s just my green-colored glasses clouding my judgment once again.

[Donoghus]

Does anyone realistically see Queta as a passable stater or effective backup?  I?d like to think there?s something there, but I think it?s just my green-colored glasses clouding my judgment once again.

Effective backup but unfortunately he's still very matchup contingent but he's shown some potential.

[Goldstar88]

I mean, 2022 Rob was special and Smart won DPOY.

[Moranis]

There is a big difference between mid 20's and early 30's as basketball players, especially as the top 2 guys are currently recovering from injuries. We also have to remember that Boston made the Finals in large part that year because Middleton got hurt in the 1st round and didn't play at all in the 7 game 2nd round series against Boston.

I'm not so sure we are going to see either a Tatum or Brown as good as they were in 2022 let alone in 24 when Boston actually won.  Injured players in their 30's dont get better as players (and I know Tatum will be 28 next summer but I still think we've already seen his best).

The one true saving grace is the east doesn't look very good of course they also lost to the Knicks in the 2nd round with a team better than the one they currently have going forward.

Ugh. We?ve already seen his best is such a meaningless, gratuitously negative statement.  There is little basis for belief either way - so it?s just a choice to be negative or hopeful.  Regardless of examples either way, Tatum is Tatum and not anyone else - we will see how does - and any outcome is possible. 

I don?t see a title run next season as likely, but if this team without Tatum can hang in as a 4-6 seed, and if JT comes back sooner than expected, who knows?  Might at least be interesting.

I agree with Kuberski that one of the youngs can emerge - my money is on Baylor - I think decent chance he?s a decent rotation guy.  And unlike many here I see Walsh as possibly emerging as a regular minutes defensive pest.

Do you think Tatum will be as good a player as he was in 2024 again and if so when?