Are the Celtics Still the Safe Bet in the East After This Offseason?

After an offseason full of surprises and setbacks, the Boston Celtics find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Once a dominant force with a championship pedigree, Boston now enters the 2025–26 season facing major uncertainties.

The Achilles injury to Jayson Tatum, the trades of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and a reshuffled supporting cast have drastically shifted expectations.

While the Eastern Conference remains competitive but flawed, questions linger about whether Boston can remain a top contender or if a slide is inevitable. This article explores how offseason moves, player development, and conference dynamics shape the Celtics’ prospects and whether they’re still the safest bet in the East.

An Offseason of Upheaval and Adjusted Expectations

For Boston fans, this summer brought an unwelcome dose of reality. A second-round playoff loss to the Knicks was followed by devastating news: franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles.

With Tatum likely sidelined for most or all of the season, the front office chose recalibration over continuity. Veterans Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were dealt, leaving a roster long on ambition but short on proven depth.

New additions like Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang aren’t marquee names, and Xavier Tillman is slated for starting minutes. While Joe Mazzulla remains a steady hand on the sidelines, guiding this new-look squad through a challenging East will test every ounce of his coaching acumen.

Jaylen Brown’s Defining Season Begins

With Tatum out, the spotlight intensifies on Jaylen Brown. Long considered the team's co-star, Brown now faces the challenge—and opportunity—of becoming Boston’s primary offensive engine. His 2024 stats—22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 46.3% shooting—highlight a versatile skill set, but consistency has often eluded him.

This season is a litmus test for Brown’s ceiling. Can he be the player who elevates others, sets the tone, and carries the team in crunch time? He showed flashes of leadership in last year’s Finals, but doing it for 82 games is another matter. If he thrives, Boston’s identity may shift permanently. If he struggles, the Celtics could find themselves in the play-in conversation.

Derrick White and the Rise of the Supporting Cast Another player facing increased responsibility is Derrick White. Known for his defensive instincts and unselfish play, White has an opportunity to step forward offensively. With Holiday gone, he’s expected to assume a larger role as facilitator and scorer, potentially earning his first All-Star nod.

White’s expanded role may benefit from continuity alongside Payton Pritchard, last season’s Sixth Man of the Year. Pritchard’s elite shooting gives the Celtics spacing, but whether he can evolve into a more complete guard remains an open question. If White and Pritchard both take meaningful steps, the Celtics might offset some of the production lost from Tatum and Holiday.

Still, this supporting cast is largely untested. Niang and Simons offer offensive tools but have never been consistent starters on playoff-caliber teams. Boston’s depth, once a strength, is now a question mark.

The Eastern Conference: Competitive but Volatile

Boston’s path is shaped as much by its rivals as by its own roster. Fortunately for the Celtics, the East is anything but stable. Philadelphia continues to be plagued by injuries. Milwaukee remains a threat with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but showed flaws in postseason execution. Indiana will be without Tyrese Haliburton. In short, the East is more open than it appears.

But danger lurks in emerging contenders. Orlando’s acquisition of Desmond Bane gives the Magic a lethal offensive option to pair with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Atlanta has made bold moves to reinforce its rotation. Both teams are primed for breakout seasons, and the margin for error in Boston narrows as a result.

In this environment, Boston may not need to dominate, but must avoid slipping too far behind. Consistency could be as valuable as star power in securing a top-six seed.

Betting Markets Reflect Measured Optimism The betting markets offer a sobering snapshot of public sentiment. According to odds by FanDuel, the Celtics' projected win total now sits at just 43.5, reflecting tempered confidence among oddsmakers and fans alike.

With a projected win total in the low 40s, expectations have dropped sharply. Even if Brown takes an MVP-caliber leap, skepticism abounds. Analysts argue that if this same roster wore different uniforms—say, Charlotte’s or Detroit’s—betting enthusiasm would be far more muted.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom. Boston’s organizational stability, defensive fundamentals, and experience in big moments provide intangible advantages. The Celtics may not dominate headlines, but they could quietly accumulate wins through smart execution and match-up discipline. While not flashy, this profile could make them a tricky out in a weakened conference.

The Trade Market Holds Potential but Comes with Risk

Boston’s front office hasn’t closed the book on this season. With long-term contracts on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the team holds attractive trade chips—if the right opportunity arises. The Desmond Bane trade, which involved multiple first-round picks, sets a precedent for the type of haul Boston could demand if it explores moving key players.

However, Boston appears intent on retooling around Tatum once he returns, not entering a full rebuild. That means trades would likely involve complementary pieces rather than blockbusters. Still, should the season go south early, the calculus could change quickly. Flexibility is an asset, but only if wielded at the right moment.

Opportunity in the Chaos

The Celtics are no longer the safe bet in the East, but they might be the smartest one. In a conference defined by parity, uncertainty, and shifting rosters, stability has its own value. If Jaylen Brown embraces his starring role, and Derrick White and Payton Pritchard rise to the occasion, Boston could exceed expectations—not by force, but by finesse.

There’s also a long game at play. Tatum will return. The Celtics’ cap sheet remains manageable. Boston’s culture, rooted in defense and accountability, still resonates. Betting on this team may require more nuance than confidence, but in an unpredictable NBA landscape, nuance might just be the edge.