Expectations for the Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 season have been tempered so greatly by the offseason roster changes that we’d go so far as to suggest it’s nearly impossible for this team to fall short of expectations.
If the Celtics thrive behind the remaining core members of the championship squad and get increased contributions from the younger players who are about to step into larger roles, the season will be deemed a success. If things go awry and the team is forced to prioritize longer-term goals while also emerging with a decent draft pick, the season likewise could be viewed as a success.
On Thursday, we pondered the potential pathways to the Celtics exceeding expectations during the 2025-26 season. In the interest of fairness, we asked our panel in Part 5 of our Ramp to Camp series to consider how Boston potentially could fall short of expectations in the upcoming campaign.
In our mind, multiple things would have to occur to even ponder if the team fell short of expectations:
- Jayson Tatum endures any sort of setback in his recovery that hinders his ability to be at full strength for the start of the 2026-27 season.
- Younger players on the roster show limited signs of development, leaving the team uncertain on exactly who might comprise the depth pieces on Boston’s next title-contending team.
- Remaining core players struggle in increased roles and don’t make the sort of progress that could accelerate Boston’s return to contender status.
It’s hard for us to envision any of these options happening. Tatum has aggressively attacked his rehab, and his progress will serve as a perpetual reminder that brighter days are ahead, regardless of how the team fares in his absence. Younger players have expressed excitement in being able to show what they are capable of this season and we expect every roster player will embrace increased opportunity this season.
The Celtics already extended Joe Mazzulla, giving him the security to endure any bumps in the road. New ownership seems committed to keeping much of the brain trust of this organization in place, which should help the team navigate this mini-transition period as well.
We’re strangely invigorated to watch how the season unfolds without the stress of championship-or-bust expectations. While we’ve been spoiled by the success of this team, we suspect fans will embrace a group that tries to mask a talent drain by playing harder and faster.
We’ll see how the Celtics navigate periods of turbulence and whether that changes how we view the season. The margin for success is razor-thin given the absence of Tatum and the depth depletion. But we suspect it will be very hard for this team to fall short of expectations. Questions will be answered, paths will be charted. And then expectations for future seasons can start to climb.
Now it’s our panel’s turn to finish the sentence. The Celtics will fall short of expectations this season if …
Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor
Any starter misses any significant time due to injury.
If Jaylen Brown goes down, you’re looking at Baylor Scheierman playing meaningful minutes. If Derrick White or Payton Pritchard are sidelined, Hugo Gonzalez may need to take on a larger role.
Boston’s top five by itself stacks up favorably with the rest of the league, but there’s not much depth behind that group, which means the margin for error is razor-thin.
Michael Hurley, Web Producer
If we’re looking at Tankathon in March, then that’ll be disappointing.
With Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the Celtics shouldn’t be worse than a .500 team. There are some holes on the roster, but they should still be better than your Wizards and Hornets of the world. And last year, a .500 season was good enough to nab the seventh seed in the East.
A 41-41 season is nothing to get too jazzed up about in Boston, but the floor for 2025-26 — even without Tatum — shouldn’t be much lower than that.
Sean McGuire, Web Producer
They miss the playoffs.
I don’t think we should expect to be looking at NBA Draft Lottery odds in late-February or early March, although AJ Dybantsa teaming up with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in 2026-27 would be pretty sweet. Still, are there really eight Eastern Conference teams with more talent or winning pedigree than Joe Mazzulla’s side? I have a hard time believing that.
There’s something to be said about continuing the longest active postseason run in the NBA (11 consecutive seasons).
Josh Canu, Media Editor
Jaylen Brown or Derrick White miss significant time.
The roster is as thin as it has ever been, and if one of your top two dogs go down with injury, it could get ugly quickly. White has proven to be an ironman, but Jaylen stepping into the Tatum role for the entire season does have me a little concerned with his durability.
Drew Carter talks about his expectations for Jaylen Brown this season, and he says it might be a first team All-NBA type season for him.
Max Lederman, Content Producer
You set the expectations too high!
This is a unique season for the Celtics and their fans, so I implore you to just have fun watching basketball and focus on any positives you can find.
Kevin Miller, VP, Content
Turnovers and lack of rebounding.
I’m concerned about giving up a bunch of second-chance points and having some live-ball turnover moments that could change wins to losses.
Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy
Neemias Queta and Chris Boucher are overmatched upfront.
Jayson Tatum’s rebounding and length defending is gone and the team must find ways to mask that.
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