Celtics 2025-26 Regular Season Discussion

[Surferdad]

So, why do we think Chris Boucher isn't playing at all? He seems to have all of the qualities a player would need to fit into the system. He's got length, he can shoot, he's always been known as a hustle guy, and we specifically went out and signed him after dumping Niang.

Perhaps it's just a down year for him or perhaps Joe he just doesn't fit what Joe wants to do, but it seemed like he would be a pretty integral part of the rotation coming into the season and now he literally never plays. It was thought at the beginning of the offseason that he might get considerably more than the minimum and that we were lucky to get him.

For his sake, I hope we are able to trade him to a more auspicious situation. I imagine he thought by signing to a team with very little big depth, he would be getting a lot more playing time. I know he has not produced in his on-court minutes, but those minutes have been very few and far between.

Guys ahead of him are playing much better.  Also, his shoot has looked terrible when he has been out there.  Who's minutes are you going to cut to get Boucher in there?

So basically you are saying that Luka Garza is playing better than Boucher. That is not clear to me with Boucher?s limited minutes.

[Celtics2021]

So, why do we think Chris Boucher isn't playing at all? He seems to have all of the qualities a player would need to fit into the system. He's got length, he can shoot, he's always been known as a hustle guy, and we specifically went out and signed him after dumping Niang.

Perhaps it's just a down year for him or perhaps Joe he just doesn't fit what Joe wants to do, but it seemed like he would be a pretty integral part of the rotation coming into the season and now he literally never plays. It was thought at the beginning of the offseason that he might get considerably more than the minimum and that we were lucky to get him.

For his sake, I hope we are able to trade him to a more auspicious situation. I imagine he thought by signing to a team with very little big depth, he would be getting a lot more playing time. I know he has not produced in his on-court minutes, but those minutes have been very few and far between.

Guys ahead of him are playing much better.  Also, his shoot has looked terrible when he has been out there.  Who's minutes are you going to cut to get Boucher in there?

So basically you are saying that Luka Garza is playing better than Boucher. That is not clear to me with Boucher?s limited minutes.

Neither Garza or Boucher are getting minutes at this point, so there is nothing to debate.  In Boucher?s limited minutes, he had done nothing on the offensive glass and shot deplorably.  He may better at defense than Garza, but his offense was atrocious, and defensively he is more suited at the 4.  There will unfortunately be an extended injury sometime sooner or later, and maybe Boucher will get minutes then.  I was excited by his summer signing, but maybe there was a reason he was available into August.

[jambr380]

So, why do we think Chris Boucher isn't playing at all? He seems to have all of the qualities a player would need to fit into the system. He's got length, he can shoot, he's always been known as a hustle guy, and we specifically went out and signed him after dumping Niang.

Perhaps it's just a down year for him or perhaps Joe he just doesn't fit what Joe wants to do, but it seemed like he would be a pretty integral part of the rotation coming into the season and now he literally never plays. It was thought at the beginning of the offseason that he might get considerably more than the minimum and that we were lucky to get him.

For his sake, I hope we are able to trade him to a more auspicious situation. I imagine he thought by signing to a team with very little big depth, he would be getting a lot more playing time. I know he has not produced in his on-court minutes, but those minutes have been very few and far between.

Guys ahead of him are playing much better.  Also, his shoot has looked terrible when he has been out there.  Who's minutes are you going to cut to get Boucher in there?

So basically you are saying that Luka Garza is playing better than Boucher. That is not clear to me with Boucher?s limited minutes.

Neither Garza or Boucher are getting minutes at this point, so there is nothing to debate.  In Boucher?s limited minutes, he had done nothing on the offensive glass and shot deplorably.  He may better at defense than Garza, but his offense was atrocious, and defensively he is more suited at the 4.  There will unfortunately be an extended injury sometime sooner or later, and maybe Boucher will get minutes then.  I was excited by his summer signing, but maybe there was a reason he was available into August.

Yeah, I'm not pushing for Boucher to get more minutes, just find it interesting that he is getting none due to his player profile. Also find it interesting that Amari Williams somehow jumped all of Tillman, Boucher, and Garza when he is quite limited himself. I suppose he has more potential and it's good to get him minutes, but it's wild that we only have one official big and the other three are literally the last three guys on the bench.

On another note, it's awesome that Minott has been able to fill in those big minutes when called upon. That's why I think if we do pursue another big, it's going to be somebody physical and mobile like Queta/Minott. He doesn't have to be expensive, just has to have certain qualities where Joe will actually play him.

[keevsnick]

Just wanted to throw out there some milestones for Jaylen Brown scoring wise coming up this season. He has scored 12,169 points in his career which is currently 14th all time for the Celtics. He could pass the following players this year on the Celtics all-time list.

13- Tom Heinsohn: 12,194.
-Brown needs 26 points to pass, probably does so next game.

12- Bill Sharman: 12,287
-Brown needs 119 points to pass, probably does so in next 4-5 games.

11- Jo Jo White: 13,188
-Brown needs 1020 points to pass. At current scoring rate would take roughly 35-36 more games played.

10- Dave Cowens: 13,192
-Brown needs 1024 points to pass. At current scoring rate would take roughly 35-36 more games played. 

If he stays healthy this year and keeps up close to his current pace, he'll likely finish the year 10th all time in Celtics scoring right behind Jayson Tatum who is #9 at 13,789 career points.

Even if Tatum doesn't play Brown probably can't catch him this year. Even if he played all 56 remaining games and scored at a 29 ppg rate he'd only Barely pass Tatum.

[boscel33]

Interesting Article: 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25324263-1-trade-every-nba-team-would-make-if-deadline-was-today

Under the C's section, it has us sending Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, 2026 second-round pick (via DET, MIL or ORL) and 2031 first-round pick (top-3 protected) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Myles Turner.

But under the Houston section, it has them sending us Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate and a 2029 first-round pick (via DAL or PHO) to the Boston Celtics for Payton Pritchard.

[Celtics2021]

Interesting Article: 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25324263-1-trade-every-nba-team-would-make-if-deadline-was-today

Under the C's section, it has us sending Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, 2026 second-round pick (via DET, MIL or ORL) and 2031 first-round pick (top-3 protected) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Myles Turner.

But under the Houston section, it has them sending us Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate and a 2029 first-round pick (via DAL or PHO) to the Boston Celtics for Payton Pritchard.

I would absolutely take the best of Houston?s 2029 picks for Pritchard, especially if it came with Eason.

[slamtheking]

Interesting Article: 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25324263-1-trade-every-nba-team-would-make-if-deadline-was-today

Under the C's section, it has us sending Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, 2026 second-round pick (via DET, MIL or ORL) and 2031 first-round pick (top-3 protected) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Myles Turner.

But under the Houston section, it has them sending us Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate and a 2029 first-round pick (via DAL or PHO) to the Boston Celtics for Payton Pritchard.

I would absolutely take the best of Houston?s 2029 picks for Pritchard, especially if it came with Eason.

seems a bit much for Turner considering his contract and lesser production this season.  scrap the first round and that would be more palatable.

The PP trade is interesting with that pick.  would be a real setback this year without PP's shooting.

[Redz]

Just wanted to throw out there some milestones for Jaylen Brown scoring wise coming up this season. He has scored 12,169 points in his career which is currently 14th all time for the Celtics. He could pass the following players this year on the Celtics all-time list.

13- Tom Heinsohn: 12,194.
-Brown needs 26 points to pass, probably does so next game.

12- Bill Sharman: 12,287
-Brown needs 119 points to pass, probably does so in next 4-5 games.

11- Jo Jo White: 13,188
-Brown needs 1020 points to pass. At current scoring rate would take roughly 35-36 more games played.

10- Dave Cowens: 13,192
-Brown needs 1024 points to pass. At current scoring rate would take roughly 35-36 more games played. 

If he stays healthy this year and keeps up close to his current pace, he'll likely finish the year 10th all time in Celtics scoring right behind Jayson Tatum who is #9 at 13,789 career points.

Even if Tatum doesn't play Brown probably can't catch him this year. Even if he played all 56 remaining games and scored at a 29 ppg rate he'd only Barely pass Tatum.

I?m sure there?s an a web site that can do it, but it would be interesting to see a timeline/line chart comparing Tatum and Brown?s career point totals. Without looking, given Brown?s one year head start, I?d guess Tatum passed him in his 3rd or 4th season.

[Donoghus]

Just wanted to throw out there some milestones for Jaylen Brown scoring wise coming up this season. He has scored 12,169 points in his career which is currently 14th all time for the Celtics. He could pass the following players this year on the Celtics all-time list.

13- Tom Heinsohn: 12,194.
-Brown needs 26 points to pass, probably does so next game.

12- Bill Sharman: 12,287
-Brown needs 119 points to pass, probably does so in next 4-5 games.

11- Jo Jo White: 13,188
-Brown needs 1020 points to pass. At current scoring rate would take roughly 35-36 more games played.

10- Dave Cowens: 13,192
-Brown needs 1024 points to pass. At current scoring rate would take roughly 35-36 more games played. 

If he stays healthy this year and keeps up close to his current pace, he'll likely finish the year 10th all time in Celtics scoring right behind Jayson Tatum who is #9 at 13,789 career points.

Even if Tatum doesn't play Brown probably can't catch him this year. Even if he played all 56 remaining games and scored at a 29 ppg rate he'd only Barely pass Tatum.

I?m sure there?s an a web site that can do it, but it would be interesting to see a timeline/line chart comparing Tatum and Brown?s career point totals. Without looking, given Brown?s one year head start, I?d guess Tatum passed him in his 3rd or 4th season.

Year 3.

[Celtics4ever]

Brown has had to focus on guarding more elite players in the past, which takes energy and effort and this can hurt scoring amounts.

But under the Houston section, it has them sending us Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate and a 2029 first-round pick (via DAL or PHO) to the Boston Celtics for Payton Pritchard.

Eason would be a good pickup and insurance against Tatum being only able to play PF when he gets back.    Eason can d up well. 

I like the pick but our guard rotation would lose dicey after this trade.  Derrick White and Brown are so so ballhandlers, Simons might get dealt as well.  Pritchard is our best ball handler and I am pretty certain Max Shulga is not up to the task.  Shooting would suffer

Jae'Sean Tate is a short forward at 6'4".  He is a great effort guy but a classic tweener.  We already have Walsh and Minot who can fill this role.  I would rather have Aaron Holiday but cap wise he is a smidgen more expensive.

[keevsnick]

The Celtics just finished a 12 game stretch with 10 games against playoff teams above .500. They went 9-3 despite missing Queta for two games, Brown for two games and White for one game.

vs ORL (Win, 138-129)
vs DET (No Queta) (Win, 117-114)
at MIN (Loss, 115-119)
at CLE (B2B, No White or Queta) (Win, 117-115)
vs NYK (Win, 123-117)
at WAS (No Brown) (Win, 146-101)
vs LAL (B2B) (Win, 126-105)
at TOR (Win, 121-113)
@ MIL (Loss, 101-116)
vs DET (Loss, 105-112)
vs MIA (Win, 129-116)
at TOR (B2B, No Brown) (Win, 112-96)

They now play 7 consecutive games against teams with a win percentage below .450. None are higher than a 10th seed. Granted the stretch does include a west coast road trip with is always tricky regardless of opponent, it's the longest road trip of the year for the C's.

12/22 vs IND
12/26 @ IND
12/28 @ POR
12/30 @ UTA
1/1 @ SAC
1/3 @ LAC
1/5 vs CHI

The Celtics have a game on 12/22 then don't play against until 12/26. That game will be the beginning of a 25 game in 48 night stretch leading up to the all-star break. The C's remaining strength of schedule is the 3rd easiest in the league by opponent record, so they will have a chance to really solidify themselves.

[slamtheking]

The Celtics just finished a 12 game stretch with 10 games against playoff teams above .500. They went 9-3 despite missing Queta for two games, Brown for two games and White for one game.

vs ORL (Win, 138-129)
vs DET (No Queta) (Win, 117-114)
at MIN (Loss, 115-119)
at CLE (B2B, No White or Queta) (Win, 117-115)
vs NYK (Win, 123-117)
at WAS (No Brown) (Win, 146-101)
vs LAL (B2B) (Win, 126-105)
at TOR (Win, 121-113)
@ MIL (Loss, 101-116)
vs DET (Loss, 105-112)
vs MIA (Win, 129-116)
at TOR (B2B, No Brown) (Win, 112-96)

They now play 7 consecutive games against teams with a win percentage below .450. None are higher than a 10th seed. Granted the stretch does include a west coast road trip with is always tricky regardless of opponent, it's the longest road trip of the year for the C's.

12/22 vs IND
12/26 @ IND
12/28 @ POR
12/30 @ UTA
1/1 @ SAC
1/3 @ LAC
1/5 vs CHI

The Celtics have a game on 12/22 then don't play against until 12/26. That game will be the beginning of a 25 game in 48 night stretch leading up to the all-star break. The C's remaining strength of schedule is the 3rd easiest in the league by opponent record, so they will have a chance to really solidify themselves.

if they stay healthy, they really have a chance to be a top 4 team in the East regardless of whether Tatum comes back this season or not

[Vermont Green]

This team has been surprising to me.  Individual players and collectively.  I am very surprised that they are 17-11 (that is 50 win pace) and the next 7 games all look winnable.  I keep asking myself, what the heck is going on?  Through a good part of this season, White, Pritchard, and Hauser all have played below expectation and at best, inconsistently (White has come on lately). Simons has been kind of fine.  Also, Boucher and Garza have been inconsistent, but generally not great.  Scheierman and Tillman have not done much.  That leaves Brown, Queta, Walsh, Minott, and Gonzalez ( I don't think I am missing anyone). 

Hugo and Queta lead the team in DRtg by a wide margin (sorted for GP>12 to exclude guys like Harper).  They also both have team leading NRtg of the regular players.  Queta has been pretty steady at 24 min/gm, Hugo has been used as a change of pace type guy but is playing more lately.

Walsh and Minott have both been good, Walsh as a starter, which is really surprising.  The question with these guys is consistency.  Both have decent NRtg and other advanced stats (although not as good as Hugo and Queta).

Brown has been great, carrying the team at times.  His advanced stats seem to lag a bit, but he is out there with a lot of different line ups.

Going forward, it looks like White is getting into form (14.3 NRtg last 10 games).  Pritchard and Hauser have been inconsistent at best (not entirely unexpected for guys who are really bench guys).  Brown is going to be Brown.  Simons probably is what he has been also (don't expect any big leap from him).  This group is what it is.  So the question is if these other guys, Queta, Walsh, Gonzalez, Minott, can they continue to impact wins?  Garza has shown some signs of life recently.  Is Boucher going to find a role?

When I look at this team, I do not see a 50 win team (their current pace).  They clearly have proved me wrong so far, they are getting way more out of this team than I thought was possible.  I had originally said a 0.500'ish team, call it 41 wins.  Now that seems like a floor.  50 wins may be the ceiling, but who knows.

[jambr380]

In response to VG, part of it is that East just isn't very good and many teams haven't been fully healthy. With this current non-Tatum version of the Cs, we basically have, but it's still been surprising how well we've played.

We've already played DET three times, so we still have plenty of opportunity to feast on the East. Maybe we don't stand a chance against the top West teams, but the bottom of their conference is in rough shape right now, too. With Tatum coming back at some point, I wouldn't be surprised to see this team comfortably surpass 50 wins. A lot would have to go wrong to only end up with 41 at this point.

[Redz]

Hugo's potential for growth is getting pretty exciting to think about.  He's already doing a ton to contribute to winning basketball.