Three questions: Boston Celtics

The new NBA season is right around the corner. Teams around the league will be putting the finishing touches on their training camp preparations and gearing up for their preseason schedule. To help us prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season, we're looking at three questions each NBA team could face next season.

Today, we have the Boston Celtics, who will enter the season looking to secure back-to-back championships.

1. Can Jayson Tatum rediscover his touch on offense?

Tatum had a stellar season for Joe Mazzulla's team. The St. Louis native emerged as one of the most complete players in the NBA, as he sacrificed some of his scoring while embracing a bigger playmaking role. However, once the postseason arrived, Tatum's offensive efficiency fell off a cliff, with the All-Star forward shooting 28.3 percent from the perimeter in Boston's 19 playoff games.

The Olympics didn't provide Tatum with much of a reprieve, either, as he struggled to make an impact within Steve Kerr's rotation and saw his efficiency take another slide. Boston needs Tatum at his best next season. Without the scoring punch he provides, his presence as a playmaking forward would be be significantly diminished.

Tatum must remind the world why he's seen as a top-10 talent, and that starts by re-discovering his scoring touch and putting in some dominant performances.

2. Will Kristaps Porzingis stay healthy?

Porzingis is expected to be out of Boston's rotation until late December or early January as he recovers from leg surgery. Mazzulla has a deep big-man rotation at his disposal, so there should be no sense of urgency to get Porzingis back onto the court once he's cleared to play.

Still, Celtics fans will undoubtedly be concerned about Porzingis' ability to stay healthy. He has a reputation for being injury-prone and, despite being available throughout Boston's regular season, was forced out of the rotation for the majority of the playoffs. Last season, the Celtics were +11.8 points per 100 possessions better with Porzingis on the floor.

The Eastern Conference has gotten deeper this summer. The Celtics need their X-Factor healthy for the playoffs if they're going to stand a chance of repeating their success from last season.

3. Can Jaden Springer earn minutes?

The Celtics acquired Springer at the Feb. 8 trade deadline. However, he struggled to crack Boston's guard rotation and found himself buried on the team's bench. Springer turned in a solid performance in the Celtics' opening game of Summer League earlier this summer and was quickly shut down for the remainder of the tournament.

Boston's identity is built around its defensive versatility and intensity. Springer can slot directly into its defensive ethos as a point-of-attack specialist. He is entering the final year of his current contract. If he doesn't earn a role within Mazzulla's rotation, he may struggle to land with a new team next summer.

Springer came highly recommended after working with Sam Cassell during his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers. He deserves the opportunity to prove himself at the NBA level. Unfortunately for him, opportunities are hard to come by with this Celtics team.