Can the Boston Celtics repeat as champs? Read more on the C’s 2024-25 NBA Season Preview inside the post! (Peter Casey-Imagn Images)
2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Boston Celtics
The 2024-25 NBA Season previews continue as it’s now time to preview the defending champions. The Boston Celtics enter the season as the hunted ones after a historically great season a year ago. Can they repeat? Let’s talk about everything you need to know heading into the new campaign!
What happened last year?
It was everything you can dream about and more. The Celtics finished the 2023-24 NBA Season with 64 wins including rankings 1st in offensive rating (123.2) and 1st in net rating (+11.6). That net rating ranks ranks 4th in NBA history behind two Michael Jordan teams and the dynasty Warriors. This Celtics team isn’t just good. They’re arguably the best Celtics team in team history, which says A LOT .
I was in the building for the Game Two victory in the Finals. What a season it was. I’ll never forget Banner 18. It wasn’t just a title season. They ransacked everyone in their path only losing three total games during the title run.
Offseason Recap:
How can you complain about this offseason? Brad Stevens didn’t have to lift a finger. After that championship season, he basically brought the band back together. The Celtics return their entire team from last year minus Oshae Brissett (who departed after he declined his player option ) and Svi Mykhailiuk (who signed with the Jazz this offseason).
If anything, the Celtics look better on paper this season. Baylor Scheierman was taken with the 30th pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Anton Watson was picked in the second round and has since been added on a two-way deal. Other than that, it’s mostly the same team minus the fact that they made an incredibly smart gamble on Lonnie Walker. If Walker can actually provide a spark off the bench offensively, this C’s team becomes even scarier.
Projected Starting 5:
The normal starting five of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis is the best the league has to offer. Boston proved that last season.
However, it will be a new challenge at the start of the year. Kristaps Porzinigis will miss the start of the year via injury. He’s currently on the recovery trail but Boston will have to navigate a stretch of time without him. Al Horford will likely slot in as the starter but the Celtics may limit his minutes considering that he’s heading into his age 38 season.
Notable Reserves:
Last year the normal bench rotation included Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet. Xavier Tillman will likely have a bigger role after coming over midseason in the trade with Memphis. Ditto for Neemias Queta who finally now operates under a standard contract. Tillman, Kornet, and Queta figure to get heavy minutes at the 5 with Porzingis out at the start of the year.
Pritchard’s role likely remains the same and you can see he’s only getting better. He’s the perfect third guard for this team and might be the GOAT of the half court shot at the end of the half.
It’s a matter of if anyone successfully takes over the Brissett minutes. Can that be Walker? Is Scheierman ready to go as a rookie? Jaden Springer is capable defensively. If he takes a leap, maybe he carves out a role. Jordan Walsh is still on the team…
Biggest X-Factor:
It’s hard to pick a breakout candidate on a team that just won the title and returns virtually everyone. I guess the only answer here is Lonnie Walker. His range of outcomes appears the widest. Apparently, he may spend time in the G-League. There is also a chance he turns into an offensive threat off the bench and helps the C’s repeat. If I had to guess, Walker becomes a factor for this team and sticks around past this year.
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