3 niche Boston Celtics lineups Ime Udoka could deploy in 2022-23

While the 2022 offseason was almost perfect for the Boston Celtics–before Danilo Gallinari went down with an ACL tear that could knock him off the depth chart all season anyway–that narrative holds little weight until proven on the hardwood.

You know it’s been a great summer for Brad Stevens and co. because Gallo’s injury doesn’t have pundits any less bullish on Boston than before he went down. That said, Cs owner Wyc Grousbeck isn’t committed to the idea that this team is a shoo-in to repeat in the east.

Grousbeck feels the team is ‘overrated’ but made sure to still compliment the job Stevens’ front office did in building this unit:

"“There are probably five or six teams you could say are contending teams, and I definitely think we’re on that list … But I’m cautious against being overconfident. And anyone who asks me what I think about the team, I’m saying I don’t want to overrate us.”"

Boston has perhaps its stiffest competition from a Milwaukee Bucks squad that is returning Khris Middleton to the fold after he missed the 2022 postseason with an injury. They may also see some improvement from teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, two teams with a track record for deep playoff runs, who have solid foundations and just added game-changers in the backcourt to complement All-Stars.

The starting lineup will get them far, but that might not be enough, as Grousbeck alluded to. Creativity in Year 2 of the Ime Udoka era could be necessary if the injury bug bites and just to get through the regular season with home-field advantage waiting for them.

With that in mind, Hardwood Houdini would love to see these 3 niche Boston Celtics lineups in 2022-23: