The Boston Celtics need multiple role players to step up after the Jaylen Brown trade. They got Paul George in return, but the future Hall of Famer is no longer a superstar. The 36-year-old has a lengthy injury history and settled into a more 3-and-D role with the 76ers. PG is a better fit in Joe Mazzulla’s system, but he won’t match Brown’s production. If the Celtics want to stay in title contention, they need multiple role players to step up.
The Celtics made this heavily debated trade for flexibility. They got two first-round draft picks and two second-rounders as part of this package. Brad Stevens can build through the draft or try to flip those picks for someone who helps them win now. Boston wants to avoid the luxury tax and reset their spending. After this season, any move is on the table.
The Celtics need help on the wing and to make up for Brown’s elite offense. They are making bets that players on their roster can step up. It starts with two young wings looking to finally live up to their hype, but they also need two talented guards to finally reach their ceilings.
Jordan Walsh must be able to scale up his 3-and-D role
Boston can’t expect more than 50 games from George, and Mazzulla can’t think he is still a superstar. PG will be a shooter, scorer, and defender for the Celtics, but he will be a 16-18 point-per-game option, not a 25-point-per-game scorer like Brown. Boston has to make up the difference by feeding their shooters and spreading the production around.
Walsh showcased that he can be an elite defender as he made a massive shooting leap last season. The 6’6 wing made 38.4 percent of his 3-point attempts after shooting just 26.6 percent from long range in his first two years. The Celtics need him to prove last season was no fluke and to add more volume, as they will be forced to play Walsh more.
They don’t need Walsh suddenly becoming a playmaker. They are asking him to shoot when he’s open and play stout defense. Fans are expecting similar production to what they saw last season, but Boston needs more minutes, 3-pointers made, and the ability to scale up his production. If Walsh exceeds expectations, coach Mazzulla has another trusted option to turn to in his rotation.
Baylor Scheierman must have a career year
Scheierman earned a role last season and kept getting more run. He averaged 26.0 minutes per game over the final 30 regular season contests. The 6’6 wing proved to be a strong 3-and-D option with a versatile skill set. He made shots, rebounded well, and his defense keeps improving.
Boston will need more. They still have Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser to start on the wings with Paul George, but Walsh and Scheierman are the next options. The Celtics want to win a championship. They will need to give Tatum and George breaks during the long regular season. Scheierman staying productive in a starter’s role is massive for the Celtics.
Scheierman shot 39.9 percent from 3-point range last season after making 31.7 percent as a rookie. He must prove that was no fluke and take another step forward defensively. The Celtics trusted their young wings by trading away Brown. Scheierman has to reward that faith by exceeding Boston’s expectations in his third NBA season.
Payton Pritchard must take on a larger offensive role
Pritchard just keeps getting better. He averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game last season. The 6’1 guard shot 46.4 percent from the field and 37.7 percent on his threes. There should be better playmaking around Pritchard and more shots available. The Celtics need him to take advantage of both.
Coach Mazzulla has to decide whether Pritchard is best coming off the bench or starting. Boston likely leaves him as the sixth man, but uses him in the closing lineup. They will need his playmaking, floor spacing, and overall offensive punch with Brown in Philadelphia.
Expect a new career-high in scoring, field goal attempts, and assists. Pritchard and George will be the number two and three scoring options. The Celtics will need both if they want to be in title contention.
Derrick White must exceed offensive expectations
White struggled to make shots last season, but led the Celtics in assists per game. He took the second-most 3-point attempts and the third-most field goals. The 6’4 guard is an elite defender, but Boston needs him to exceed offensive expectations.
Coach Mazzulla needs to lean into the playmaking around White. He shot just 32.1 percent on pull-up threes and made just 20.0 percent on contested long-range attempts. If White gets open, he can be a plus shooter. Boston needs to create those opportunities for him.
The Celtics need to balance his playmaking and off-ball opportunities better. He will play a key offensive role, and Boston needs him to shoot less off the dribble. Lean into his playmaking on the ball and his scoring when someone else is taking the lead.
The Boston Celtics need Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh to exceed expectations this season. They want to be in contention and won’t have Jaylen Brown. Others need to pick up the slack. It won’t be Paul George, so these players must be better. It is a big ask, but Mazzulla knows how to maximize his talent.
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