Calendar year 2026 is not a leap year, but the Boston Celtics sure hope it is.
For the first time in Joe Mazzulla’s brief tenure as head coach, there is a real chance to lean heavily into the development of Boston’s youngest players through NBA game reps. The departure of core members from Boston’s title team, combined with Jayson Tatum’s rehab from Achilles surgery, could open the door to increased opportunity for players that haven’t yet gotten a chance to fully show what they can do at the NBA level.
To kick off Week 2 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to pick which of Boston’s youngest players is most likely to make a leap this season.
Panelists were encouraged to focus on the roster players currently aged 25 or under — a group that features Hugo Gonzalez (19), Jordan Walsh (21), Josh Minott (22), and Baylor Scheierman (24). We loosened the criteria a bit to include 26-year-old trio of Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman, and it should be noted that Anfernee Simons is still only 26, too.
Given Queta’s strong performance at EuroBasket, culminating with him basically keeping Portugal competitive for three quarters against tournament favorite Germany, we thought our panel might tilt in the big man’s direction. Our behind-the-scenes experts actually leaned heavily in a different direction.
Still, everything is lined up for Queta to thrive this season. After giving the Celtics small doses of key minutes, including as a two-way player early in the 2023-24 title season, Queta is going to see his playing time spike, especially after the rest of Boston’s center stable basically departed this offseason in Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and (eventually) Al Horford.
Queta should be oozing confidence after his EuroBasket showing. He averaged 15.5 points, 8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 steals over 24 minutes per game in six appearances. He jousted with Porzingis, Alperen Sengun, old friend Daniel Theis and (in a very small dose) three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic.
The Celtics have thrown Queta to the wolves at various times over his two seasons in Boston. Now, he must show the sort of progress that would give the team confidence to heap starter minutes his way.
We’re intrigued to see if a couple of former Wolves can push him, too. Garza needs to show he can hold up defensively in big minutes, while we’ve already noted in this series how high we are on Minott blossoming here, potentially as a small-ball big.
We’ll also make a brief pitch here for Jordan Walsh, who felt like he might be ready to kick down the playing-time door coming out of camp last year, but never quite harnessed that momentum. We liked Walsh’s mindset during his recent appearance on the Celtics Talk Podcast, and we think that if he plays with the sort of confidence and fire we saw in his most recent Summer League stint, then he’s got a real chance to make a leap.
Remember, he’s still only 22. But it’s also undeniable that it’s time for him to show his evolution entering Year 3 as a pro.
Our panel sure seems to think another recent Boston draftee is going to push him for minutes at that wing position.
Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor
Baylor Scheierman.
Increased minutes are a great cure for streaky shooting, and I can definitely see Scheierman finding his groove with a more consistent role. But I’m most intrigued by Scheierman’s passing ability after watching him drop some impressive dimes in Summer League. Let Baylor cook on the second unit.
Michael Hurley, Web Producer
First of all, this forced me to realize that Payton Pritchard is 27 years old. That feels wrong. I demand a recount! But I think the answer has to be Neemias Queta by necessity.
He’s going to be playing a lot more than 14 minutes per night, and while the Celtics may not need a double-double out of him every night, they’re going to need him to take a massive step forward in just about every area. I don’t know how he’ll do, but he definitely has the greatest opportunity on the team.
Sean McGuire, Web Producer
Baylor Scheierman.
The 2024 first-round pick should carve out a bigger role if he can play hard and limit lapses on defense. Because while Scheierman’s 3-point shot has been streaky, his playmaking is a legitimate strength.
That would be a welcome addition to the second unit with Pritchard likely to elevate with the starters.
Baylor Scheierman did everything for the Celtics in game 2 of Summer League action. He dropped 13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals in the Celtics 94-81 victory over the Knicks.
Josh Canu, Media Editor
Baylor Scheierman.
I expect big opportunities and minutes for the sophomore out of Creighton in his second NBA season. He will have a chance to grab one of the biggest bench roles on this team.
His defense is my biggest concern as he fights for minutes, but if he continues to improve on that end of the floor he will have a chance to showcase his play-making and shooting potential.
Max Lederman, Content Producer
Despite minimal minutes as a rookie last season, Baylor Scheierman’s feel for the game was on display every time he was on the court.
There should be plenty of opportunity to play this season, so look for him to shine.
Kevin Miller, VP, Content
I would take Josh Minott for this one.
He seems like a guy where production will follow with increased minutes. He’ll likely need to earn trust early in the season, but he could be a factor if he does.
Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy
The science is clear: It won’t be Hugo Gonzalez because Joe Mazzulla doesn’t like rookies (according to Baylor Scheierman). So it’s Scheierman as leap-season candidate.
He’s deceptively quick, gliding around the floor. He shoots lefty, which gives him an advantage. Most importantly: He’s competitive. That’ll play.
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