The Boston Celtics frontcourt features zero trusted options, and it will quickly become backbreaking if someone doesn’t step up. Fans will point to the center battle between Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr. as the Cs' biggest issue, but they have nobody to play power forward with Jayson Tatum out. Boston could try to go small with Jaylen Brown at the four, but that creates its own issues.
In the center group, only Boucher has ever played more than 20 minutes per game. Joe Mazzulla may try to mix and match for production, but what can he honestly expect? The Celtics hope Queta or Garza can pop in a larger role, but there is zero certainty. Queta is eager to prove himself, but he wouldn’t be the first big man to fail to scale up his role.
The Celtics trust Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. Newcomer Anfernee Simons will get minutes and buckets as long as he’s on their roster. The rest of the group is a mystery box, and there is nobody in the frontcourt that can be counted on. If Boston can’t protect the rim or finish inside, there will be problems.
Celtics will be crushed if they can’t get consistent frontcourt play
Boston finished fourth in defensive rating last season and fifth in blocked shots. It was the strong interior defense of Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet that sparked their success. They may not have that same resistance at the rim and will miss Jrue Holiday’s perimeter defense. The Celtics will certainly drop off on this end of the floor.
On the other end, head coach Joe Mazzulla will want to bomb away from 3-point range, but how will they vary things? The Celtics took 20.6 field goal attempts in the restricted area per game last season and another 21.2 inside the 3-point line. Brown will get his, but they need a big man who can roll to the rim and finish.
With no threat inside on either end of the floor, the Celtics may miss the postseason entirely. Queta will throw down some dunks, but what if he gets played off the floor? Boston can’t play Brown at the five, so they need someone to step up.
The Boston Celtics' lack of frontcourt play could quickly sink the ship. They have their 2026 first-round draft pick, and the class is loaded. Brad Stevens may secretly be trying to add a premier young talent to their roster as Jayson Tatum returns. It is not a bad strategy, but he will still have to fix the frontcourt for the Celtics to have any chance in 2027 and beyond.
Fans can expect a difficult year in Beantown. The Celtics lack depth and have nobody to trust in their frontcourt. All 96 minutes at the four and the five could be a problem for coach Mazzulla on a nightly basis. He will figure out something, but even the best solution may be a bad one. All Celtics fans can do is hope that someone steps up and surprises.