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The Boston Celtics are set to reconvene at the Auerbach Center shortly, with many players still making offseason appearances, to embark on another intriguing basketball season. Before diving into individual player analysis, a broader look at the roster composition is warranted.
In a modern classification, the Celtics' roster breaks down as follows: ball-handlers include Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mike Conley; wings consist of Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr.; bigs are Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, Luka Garza, Chris Cenac Jr., and two-way player Amari Williams.
Projected Starting Five
With only two reliable ball-handlers, Derrick White will start, forcing Payton Pritchard to a bench role. Jayson Tatum will handle significant playmaking duties, but starting both White and Pritchard could create lineup imbalances. Tatum and Paul George (when available) will start, influencing other decisions. To maintain consistency when George sits, Sam Hauser joins the starting unit alongside White and Tatum. Hauser, nearly 29, excels as a spot-up shooter and can handle closeouts, providing spacing among drivers like Tatum, White, and George.
At center, Mitchell Robinson gets the starting nod over Neemias Queta. With zero team fouls to start games, opponents cannot employ hack-a-Robinson tactics early. If Robinson came off the bench, teams in the penalty could foul him intentionally, disrupting Boston's offense given his poor free-throw shooting. Queta, who signed a four-year extension, understands the team's commitment and would likely accept a bench role for the team's benefit. His chemistry with Pritchard also makes him ideal for the second unit.
Bench Rotation
The Pritchard-Queta pairing thrives due to Queta's rim presence opening up Pritchard's drives and fadeaways, with Queta relocating along the baseline for passing options. Robinson pairs better with Tatum for lob plays when Tatum is blitzed, as Robinson's athleticism allows for higher catches. Baylor Scheierman, a more dynamic playmaker than Hauser, will come off the bench alongside Pritchard and Queta to maximize his creativity rather than standing in a corner. Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh will compete for minutes, often joining Pritchard and Queta on the floor.
Joe Mazzulla may stagger Tatum's minutes to start the second quarter, while White or George could also run with the bench unit. Mike Conley, Luka Garza, and Ron Harper Jr. will see limited action when the team is healthy, filling in when George or Robinson rest, especially during back-to-backs. Chris Cenac Jr. and Amari Williams are expected to spend most of their time in Maine with the G League affiliate. Dillon Mitchell remains unsigned and is not included in these projections.
While the Celtics' coaching staff may have different ideas, this proposed rotation offers a mix of complementary talent that maximizes each player's abilities. Some egos may need massaging, but the setup positions everyone for their best basketball, making Boston a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.