High Risk, High Reward: Grading the Celtics’ Offseason

The Boston Celtics made several major changes this offseason, but did they improve enough to remain championship contenders?

In this episode of Boston Banner Breakdown, Will breaks down the Celtics’ biggest roster moves, evaluates the risks and potential rewards, and explains how the new-look team could fit together. He also discusses the team’s strengths, biggest concerns, possible starting lineup, key players to watch, and what Boston may still need before the season begins.

Plus, Will gives the Celtics’ offseason a final grade and answers the biggest question: Can this team still compete for an NBA championship?

Transcript

Blockbuster Trade And First Reactions

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Jalen Brown has been traded to Philadelphia, one of Boston's biggest rivals, in a blockbuster deal that brings Paula George and future draft assets to the Celtics. Before the Jalen Brown trade, Brown and Jason Tatum shared the responsibility of serving as Boston's two leading scorers. The Celtics have since reshaped their roster by adding Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, and veteran point guard Mike Conley while also drafting Chris Snack Jr. and Dylan Mitchell. Robinson could become Boston's starting center while Conley should provide experience and stability as a backup guard. Tatum, Derek White, George, and Robinson now form the core of a roster that I believe can still contend without Brown. Rebounding and three-point shooting could become major strengths, but creating shots in the paint and limiting turnovers remain areas to watch. My biggest concern is availability, especially with Tatum returning from an Achilles injury and George coming off two injury limited seasons. Boston will also need someone to carry the offense when Tatum has an offshooting night. Even with those concerns, I expect the Celtics to finish as a top five seed in the Eastern Conference next season. If the roster stays healthy, Boston could become a sneaky elite team and potentially finish ahead of Philadelphia next season.

What Boston Got Back

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The Celtics' biggest offseason move came on July 1st when they traded Jalen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paula George in four draft assets. Boston received a potentially favorable 2028 first round pick, SWAT, Philadelphia's unprotected 2031 first round pick, a 2028 second round pick, and a 2030 second round pick. The trade was surprising because Philadelphia had not been viewed as one of the leading trade destinations for Brown. Many Celtics fans and reporters were disappointed with their return because Boston exchanged a player coming off an MVP caliber season for an older player with significant availability concerns and draft assets that may not help the team for several seasons. George is also not on an expiring contract as he has another guaranteed season following by a player option for 2027 and 2028. After the trade, Jason Tatum thanked Brown for their nine seasons together and reflected on everything they accomplished, from early playoff disappointments to eventually winning a championship. Tatum also credited Brown with pushing him to become a better player. To me, this move suggests that Boston is attempting to remain competitive in the short term while also collecting assets that could be eventually used to acquire another star to pair with Tatum. The Celtics, all their offseason editions include Mitchell Robinson, Mike Conley, should provide more size, rebounding, and veteran depth. But the biggest immediate concern remains George's health and availability, especially during the playoffs. I like the long-term possibilities created by the trap picks the Celtics acquired, but I do not believe Georgia alone makes Boston better than it was with Jalen Brown. For this trade to succeed immediately, George must stay healthy and perform at an all-star level next season. Over the long term, Boston must use the draft assets to add a young impact player or help pursue its next major star.

New Core Roles And Player Fit

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The players most affected by the Jalen Brown trade are Paul George, Jason Tatum, and Derek White. George will be asked to become Boston's second scoring option, while Tim and White will each carry greater offensive responsibility. George's biggest strength is his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor without needing to dominate the ball. Last season he posted a 57% true shooting percentage and a 23.3% usage rate. His team recorded a plus 4.6 net rating during his minutes and performed 5.9 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor. The offense improved by 2.5 points while the defense improved by 3.4 points during his minutes. The biggest concern with George is his availability. He appeared in only 37 games and averaged 30.7 minutes per game for the Sixers last season. Boston will need him to remain healthy and consistently perform as a second star alongside Tatum. George may not completely replace Brown's scoring, physicality, and leadership, but his shooting, playmaking, and defense should make him a strong fit within Boston's system. Tatum remains the Celtics' clear number one option. He played only 16 games while returning from his Achilles injury and averaged 32.6 minutes per game. His 54.2% true shooting percentage ranked in the 24th percentile. Although that lower offensity should be viewed within the context of his recovery, Tatum still carried a 30% usage rate showing how heavily Boston relied on him to create offense. The Celtics posted a plus 12.3 net rating with him on the floor and were four points better per 100 possessions during his minutes. White could also take on a larger role following Brown's departure. He appeared in 77 games and averaged 34.1 minutes, making him the most dependable of the three players from an availability standpoint. White posted a 53% true shooting percentage and a 22% usage rate. Boston had a plus 11 net rating during his minutes and performed 6.8 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor. Although his offensive on-off number was significantly negative at minus 0.3, the defensive improved by 7.1 points during his minutes, highlighting the value of his defensive impact on the floor. Realistically, Celtics fans should expect Tatum to remain the offensive leader, George to become the second option, and White to assume more responsibility as a scorer, playmaker, and defender. My biggest concern is whether George can stay healthy to fill Brown's royal throughout both the regular season and the playoffs. However, if George remains available and White continues making winning plays on both ends of the court, I believe the three of them can still form the core of a championship contender next season.

Brown Vs George By The Numbers

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Boston finished last season with a 56-26 record, 120 offensive rating that ranked second in the league, 112 defensive rating that ranked fourth, and a plus 8.1 net rating that also ranked fourth. Those numbers show that the Celtics remained one of the NBA's most balanced and effective teams on both ends of the floor. Jalen Brown was a major part of that success. He averaged 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal across 71 games last season. However, his 57% true shooting percentage and 34 three-point shooting were only moderate for a player with such a large offensive load. Paul George produced less scoring volume, averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, but he shot 39% from 3 and contributed one steal per game. George could improve Boston's floor spacing, off-ball defense, and ball security. At the same time, Brown was younger, more durable, and more effective at creating his own shot and attacking the basket. The statistic that best supports the trade is George's 39% three-point shooting compared with Brown's 34%. The difference that could create more space around Jason Tatum make George natural fit alongside Derek White, Peyton Pritchard, and Mitchell Robinson. The strongest argument against the trade is the difference in availability and scoring production. Brown played 71 games while George appeared in only 37. Brown also averaged 11 more points per game and was coming off his best scoring season of his career, while George's production had already declined from his prime. The biggest trend to watch is whether George can remain healthy and maintain his efficient outside shooting next season. Boston was also need Tatum and White to take on more scoring and playmaking responsibility as the team attempts to replace Brown's high volume offense, rim pressure, and defensive physicality.

Why The Trade Makes Sense

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I agree with the Celtics' decision to trade Jalen Brown, although I understand why many fans are disappointed with the return. Brown is projected to account for roughly 35% of Philadelphia's scoring cap over the next three seasons, and Boston would have faced a similar challenge by committing such a large portion of its cap to two young stars. Brown also posted a 36% usage rate last season. With Jason Tatum returning for a full season, I do not believe both players could have continued operating as equal 1A and 1B options without making it more difficult for the rest of the offense to develop. Trading Brown gives Tatum a more clearly defined role as the team's offensive leader and creates additional opportunities for Derek White and other players. The biggest short-term risk is losing Brown's ability to attack the basket. He averaged five shots at the rim ranking in the 85th percentile. And neither Paul George nor another current Celtic can easily replace the level of rim pressure. Boston may improve its spacing with George, but it could become more dependent on perimeter shooting and less effective at creating easy points inside the paint. The draft compensation gives the Celtics more long-term possibilities. The 2028 first round pick, connected to the Clippers, could eventually become a top 10 selection, or it could be included in a future trade package for Young Star to pair with Tatum. That possibility is one of the strongest arguments in favor of making the trade. Boston also strengthened other areas of the roster by adding center Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley to the bench. Robinson should improve the team's size and rebounding while Conley provides veteran leadership and another dependable ball handler. Tatum would now have an even larger offensive and leadership role. While White must rebound from a down shooting season and take on more responsibility as a scorer and playmaker. I still believe Boston could have waited until training camp to see whether an injury or displaying start made another team more desperate and willing to offer a stronger package for Jalen Brown. However, I would have traded him before the regular season rather than allow this uncertainty about his role and future contract to become a distraction for this team. Overall, I would give the trade a B. Boston received valuable future draft assets, avoided committing a massive salary to Brown into his mid-30s, and created more long-term flexibility around Tatum. The grade is not higher because Brown's scoring, durability, defense, and physicality, and rim pressure will be extremely difficult to replace immediately. Boston's next major decision is to whether to use its remaining draft assets immediately or preserve them for younger star, who could eventually become Jason Tatum's long-term second option. More

Rotation Ideas And Season Benchmarks

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roster movement is possible, but the Celtics should first evaluate Paul George's health and see how the new lineup fits together during Trinity Camp in the preseason. The roster still appears to need another reliable wing score, a younger secondary playmaker, and additional center depth behind Mitchell Robinson. Instead of forcing another major trade, first, Boston could target an athletic two-way wing, a dependable backup big, or a low usage shooter who can defend and contribute without needing the ball. George should have a smaller offensive workload than Brown and operate more as a secondary score, floor spacer and versatility defender. That role could help preserve his health while allowing him to complement Tatum rather than replace Brown directly. Tatum will become the clear offensive leader and will need to create more opportunities for his teammates, control late game possessions, and set the tone defensively. A possible starting lineup could feature Derek White, Paul George, Jason Tatum, a defensive-minded forward, and Mitchell Robinson. Pin Pritchard, Mike Conley, and Boston's younger players would then lead the bench. Chris Sinak Jr. and Dylan Mitchell could earn meaningful roles if they defend consistently, provide energy, and contribute without requiring many offensive touches. During training camp and the preseason, fans should pay close attention to George's mobility. Tatum's playmaking, Robinson's health, White's shooting in order that the young players can earn rotation minutes. Those areas should provide an early indication of whether the new look roster can remain competitive at top of the Eastern Conference next season. A successful season would mean finishing as a top four team in the East, maintaining a top 10 offense and defense, and entering the playoffs fully healthy. Another major move could become necessary if George struggles to stay available, Boston lacks a dependable second scorer, or younger star becomes available through trade. My prediction is that the Celtics remain a strong playoff contender, but their championship ceiling will depend on George's health and whether Tatum, White, and the young players can collectively replace Brown's scoring, physicality, and rim pressure. Overall, I believe trading Jalen Brown was the right decision, even though it came with significant short-term risk. Boston received Paul George valuable draft assets and greater long-term flexibility instead of committing a major portion of its salary cap for to Brown for years to come. Right now, the Celtics may be slightly worse. Paul George is older, has significant injury concerns, and cannot fully replace Brown's ability to attack the rim, create his own shot, and bring physicality on both ends. However, I still believe Boston can contend for a championship if George and Jason Tatum remain fully healthy. Strongest argument in favor of the trade is George's potential fit alongside Tatum. His shooting, defense, and playmaking and lower usage rate could allow him to contribute without taking control of the offense. The biggest reason the trade could fail is his availability. George cannot stay in the court during the regular season or the playoffs. That'd be a huge loss for the Celtics. Boston may struggle to replace Brown's scoring and reliability. Celtics fans should feel hopeful about the draft assets and flexibility they provide, but they should also be realistic about George's health and his age. The main point to remember is that Boston accepted short-term uncertainty in exchange for greater long-term possibilities. My final prediction is that the Celtics remain a top five team in this new conference and continue to compete for a championship. Overall, I'd give the trade a B.

Final Grade And Listener Questions

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Before I go, I want to hear from you. Do you think the Celtics made the right decision by trading Jalen Brown? In what grade will you give the trade? You can follow Boston Banner Breakdown on Spotify in Apple Podcasts. Make sure to follow or subscribe so you do not miss a future episode. You can also support the podcast by leaving a rating, sharing your thoughts, or sending the episode to another Boston sports fan. In the next episode, I will take a closer look at what could happen next for the Celtics, including possible roster moves, the projected rotation, and biggest storylines to watch heading into the season. Thank you so much for listening to Boston Banner Breakdown. I truly appreciate your support, and I will talk to you again in the next episode.