Boston Celtics: The 5 likeliest players to be on Cs roster next season

Boston Celtics C Robert Williams

The Time Lord was called Jayson Tatum’s favorite Celtic to play with, so his future in Boston seems pretty secure unless Danny Ainge wants to upset his best player.

Robert Williams has risen to starter status this season following the Daniel Theis trade to the Chicago Bulls and the underwhelming play of Ainge’s biggest offseason splash, former NBA Champion Tristan Thompson.

His health question marks may actually hamper his trade value enough to keep him over any return package Ainge could get for him.

Boston Celtics SF Aaron Nesmith

Until recently, Aaron Nesmith seemed like an expendable recent lottery pick that can be used to spruce up a deal for a veteran.

Now? Celtics fans would revolt if Nesmith was dealt after fueling a recent winning surge with his doggedness on the hardwood.

Nesmith dropped another 16-point game, his third in the last 10 days, against Miami yesterday and shot 5/9 from the field and 2/5 from deep. His cost-controlled contributions could make the decision to part with Marcus Smart this offseason an easier one should the right offer come around.

Boston Celtics PG Payton Pritchard

Finally, there’s Payton Pritchard, the C’s late first-rounder that has risen to the level of full-time backup floor general in his rookie season. Pritchard came onto the scenes guns blazing in 2020-21, and has had a few double-digit scoring outings as of late to round out what has been a pleasant rookie year for the Oregon product.

While Pritchard may not be ready for a starting role just yet, the potential for him to one day be makes any Kemba Walker trade easier to consider.