As Joe Mazzulla ponders who should be in the Boston Celtics’ starting lineup this season, there is one answer that should be more obvious than the rest: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta. Other combinations could help Boston throughout the course of each game, but those five should be on the floor at tip-off (at least to start the season).
Throughout the course of his tenure in Boston, Mazzulla has relied heavily on trust. This lineup would be the epitome of trust. All five guys were on the roster last year, and most of the other potential combinations would involve new faces who haven’t gotten the chance to play under Mazzulla yet.
Not only does this starting lineup make the most sense for the Celtics this year, but it makes the most sense for the future, too.
Why should these five Celtics get the start?
At the end of the day, the Celtics’ starting lineup discussion comes down to two debates: Pritchard or Anfernee Simons, and Hauser or Chris Boucher.
There could be an argument that Boucher should start over Queta, but based on everything that has occurred since the end of last year, the Portuguese big man looks primed to start on Opening Night.
Payton Pritchard vs. Anfernee Simons
There is no denying Simons’ offensive talent. And clearly, Pritchard works well as a sixth man. But using the argument, ‘Why shake up what already worked?’ when making the case for Pritchard to stay on the bench doesn’t make any sense.
Tyler Herro won Sixth Man of the Year, so clearly he should stay on the bench, right? Or he could start and become an All-Star. Roman Anthony was excellent in the minor leagues, so the Boston Red Sox should have kept him there, right? Or he could become the face of the franchise.
This isn’t to argue that Pritchard will be an All-Star or take over the Celtics, but if anything, his success as a sixth man with heavy minutes should have proved that he could be ready for a bigger role. Just look at guys like Isaiah Thomas or Jalen Brunson.
Simons would be a great fit in Boston’s starting lineup, but so would Pritchard. Plus, Pritchard is on a multi-year contract, while Simons’ deal is expiring, and based on plenty of reporting, Boston isn’t even sure about his long-term future on the team.
The Celtics should want to start Pritchard in order to see if he can hang as Derrick White’s full-time backcourt partner once Jayson Tatum returns. Add in his defensive advantage over Simons, and Pritchard is the clear choice.
Sam Hauser vs. Chris Boucher
This is a classic case of defense vs. offense. But the gap between Hauser’s offense and Boucher’s offense vs. Boucher’s defense and Hauser’s defense is significantly different.
Placing Boucher next to Queta would certainly give the Celtics a bit more flexibility on the defensive end. But Hauser’s no slouch on defense, either, and he’s a much better offensive fit with what Boston should be prioritizing.
With Brown running the show, the Celtics should want to surround him with as much floor spacing as possible. That’s Hauser.
Brown can guard, White can guard, and Pritchard and Hauser are both underrated on that side of the ball.
If you once again add in the fact that Hauser is a long-term piece in Boston and Boucher is on a one-year deal, the now-four-year Celtic should get the nod.