BOSTON — Make-or-break might be harsh, but the 2025-26 season will undoubtedly be the most important of Jordan Walsh’s career. Past the obvious—a likely incline in opportunities due to roster changes—Walsh only has one year left on his contract after this season, and it includes a team option. If there were ever a time for him to blossom into a rotation piece, it’s now.
The Boston Celtics are preparing for a new era. No more Jrue Holiday, no more Kristaps Porzingis, no more Al Horford, no more Luke Kornet. And with Jayson Tatum sidelined, the need for depth is as crucial as ever. Walsh should have plenty of chances to play big-time minutes right away.
But now, the challenge has shifted. Rather than fighting to merely get on the court, Walsh must prove capable of staying there. And training camp has been a good start.
“I thought today was his best day of practice, and it was because of the activity and the ability to get us extra possessions,” said Joe Mazzulla. “And then defensively, his physicality. So, it's a tough job because you got to do it every night.”
Jordan Walsh is ready to earn his place
Walsh isn’t going to be the Celtics’ lead scorer. He probably won’t crack the top five. But that’s okay.
As Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard prepare to lead the Tatum-less Celtics to a playoff push, Walsh is focused on helping in his own way.
“Everybody wants to score. Everybody wants to be that guy. But every team needs somebody who's reliable enough to make the team, build the team, be the connector piece for everybody,” Walsh said. “So, that's kind of the role I'm kind of trying to take on.
“Everybody knows, the more we get JB the ball, the more we get guys like JT the ball, the higher we have a chance of winning. So, trying to involve them whenever they're in the corner, out the way.”
Up to this point in his NBA career, Walsh has struggled from beyond the arc. His three-point shooting has improved, but not enough to be a consistent threat from deep range. At least, not yet.
His defense, on the other hand, is controllable. A factor he can turn on and off like a switch. And it stays on all the time. “Josh [Minott] and Jordan have done a really good job of just making their presence felt defensively,” White said of the two Celtics’ training camp intensity.
But looking past his defense, looking past his evolving three-point shot, Walsh wants to be able to affect the game in other ways. The classic 3-and-D archetype is an amazing goal, yet he wants more.
He wants to connect the Celtics.
Whether that’s cutting off the ball to create space, making the extra pass when the opportunity arises, or simply screening for one of his teammates to get them involved, Walsh understands the impact small plays can have.
Being that type of connector can keep him on the floor. “Every team's got multiple guys like that,” Walsh said. “Obi Toppin is one, Derrick Jones Jr. is one, there's many guys on every team.”
And if Walsh can make that type of impact on a nightly basis, his spot in the Celtics rotation will be secure.
“Maturity, I think, comes from self-awareness,” Mazzulla said. “Comes from an understanding of your environment. What it looks like to be impactful, effective, what the team needs, not necessarily what you think you're good at. I think Jordan's really improved on that. He has an understanding of what success looks like in this league and how he's able to do that.”