The Boston Celtics have banner No. 18 on their mind as they head into the 2023-24 NBA season. After what became a hectic summer, Boston experienced a ton of roster turnover from the previous season. Of course, the biggest change is the loss of longtime guard Marcus Smart in favor of Kristaps Porzingis. Still, the Celtics hope to keep playing their brand of basketball even with a plethora of new players coming to Boston.
In what should be an exciting year for the Celtics, who are the main players to keep an eye on this season?
full speed ahead ⏩ pic.twitter.com/umrfkVJCak
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 23, 2023
Four Boston Celtics Players to Pay Extra Attention to This Season
Kristaps Porzingis
As noted earlier, the Celtics acquired Porzingis in a blockbuster three-team trade back in June. Many viewed Porzingis as one of the players who could push the Celtics over the hump and help bring another title to Boston. Coming off a career year, Porzingis looks to add great two-way basketball play to the Celtics. Additionally, he should lighten the offensive load for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Porzingis’ ability to score in the post will add a new dynamic to the team’s offense – one we have not seen in many years. The Latvian big man is now under contract until 2026 after signing an extension this offseason. Seeing how well he meshes with “The Jays” is worth monitoring this season.
Jrue Holiday
After trading Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, there were serious questions about how Boston would replace his defense. Add Jrue Holiday to the mix, one of the best defensive players in the league, and those questions are now answered. Holiday was a late addition, as the team acquired him just a few days before the beginning of training camp. Even so, Holiday looked good in preseason and is expected to start in the backcourt next to Derrick White. This Holiday and White pairing is arguably the best defensive backcourt in the league.
locked all the way in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/rMoht3T0xX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 16, 2023
Additionally, Celtics fans are hopeful that Holiday’s championship experience can help bring Boston back to the promise land.
Jaylen Brown
The Celtics extended Brown to the richest contract in NBA history in July. This contract keeps the now longest-tenured Celtic under contract through 2029. Entering his eighth NBA season in Boston, Brown has made it clear that he is prepared to become a leader for the Celtics on and off the basketball court. Because of this, Brown will have the biggest role of his career up to this point. With the players they have rostered, this feels like it could be the Celtics’ best chance to bring another title back to Boston in recent history. However, much of that will depend on how Brown lives up to his contract and takes on an extensive leadership role.
Payton Pritchard
For the first time since the team drafted him in 2020, Payton Pritchard will be a regular contributor for the Celtics this season. Following the departures of Smart and Malcolm Brogdon, Pritchard now finds himself as the team’s primary backup point guard. In a limited role, Pritchard has shown glimpses of potential in his career. So much so, in fact, that the Celtics signed Pritchard to an extension at the beginning of preseason.
With the Celtics’ depth in question, Pritchard has an excellent opportunity to showcase his talents with the second unit and carve himself a nice role off the bench.
Last Word on the Boston Celtics
This Boston Celtics team is built with players that should help them be a force in the Eastern Conference. However, there is a lot of competition for the team as well. Besides the obviously loaded Bucks, the Celtics should not dismiss teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Not to mention some sneaky good teams like the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Still, the Celtics match up well with every team in the East and are arguably the best team in the entire NBA.
Boston’s 2023-24 season kicks off against the Knicks on Wednesday, October 25.
