Following a summer of change that saw several foundational pieces moved to other teams, Celtics star Jaylen Brown talked about the “new era” for the franchise during a recent live stream, per Noa Dalzell of Celtics Blog (Twitter link, hat tip to Real GM).
After several years as title contenders, Boston may fall into the middle of the pack in the East, at least for the upcoming season. The need to escape the second apron made cost-cutting moves inevitable, and the Achilles injury that Jayson Tatum suffered during the playoffs accelerated the process.
The Celtics began the offseason by trading Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta and Jrue Holiday to Portland. Another member of the 2024 title team was lost when Luke Kornet signed with San Antonio, and free agent center Al Horford appears to be headed to Golden State. Additional changes could be on the way as the team has an opportunity to duck below the tax threshold by trimming roughly $12MM more in salary.
“It’s a new era of the Celtics. It feels like a new era,” Brown said. “… Half the team is gone. I wish them the best. I appreciate them. They were great teammates, so it’s kind of sad to see them go. But it’s a new era. Everything has kind of changed and shifted. We’ll see what we’ve got.”
Brown, who underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure in June, also said it has been a “great healing summer,” indicating that he’s no longer bothered by the right knee issues that plagued him late last season and into the playoffs. Doctors said he was dealing with a partially torn right meniscus, and it was determined that surgery rather than rest was the best way to ensure that he’s fully healed by training camp.
Brown and Derrick White will be the team’s only holdover starters when the Celtics’ new season tips off October 22.
Which of these talented Celtic trios would you rather have on your team if you could transport them from the yr in question to the present day?
Ant Simons/Derrick White/Jaylen Brown 2026
Reggie Lewis/Kevin McHale/Robert Parish 1990
Isaiah Thomas/Marcus Smart/Al Horford 2017
Kenny Anderson/Paul Pierce/Antoine Walker 2002
Lewis, McHale and the Chief, certainly.
Agree with BeachGuy.
Lewis, McHale, Parish
Not close
If the Celtics were smart they would trade Tatum…he’s damaged goods, get something while you can and let Jaylen run the show
Tatum’s damaged goods with an insane contract. Only team I could see even considering him would be the Lakers and they wouldn’t offer squat.
Kings would trade for him
He’s 27 why would they trade him when he’s about to be in his prime?
Because he’s damaged
Hardly lol this isn’t 1992. He’s going to recover fine.
No, he wont
Dude is already ahead of schedule. You’re either delusional or purposely being useless. Have fun with that.
When Brown was drafted he was a SG. When Tatum was drafted he was a SF. It’s time to go back to that. Boston needs to find a starting PF and C the around the same age as Brown and Tatum. PJ Washington is a lil undersized at PF but it’s okay. He would fit nice. Queta and Garza need to step up.
PJ Washington, Gafford and Brandon Williams for Simons, Hugo González and a pick
Win win trade
Will the Celtics TANK for a lottery pick ……. that’s the real question.
Of Course not. This is such an easy but foolish question.
They still have Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Pritchard, Simons and Hauser. Plenty of scoring. Lottery teams do not have two all star caliber players on their roster. Plus everyone is tanking bc of the level of talent in the draft.
Celtics will be top 4-5 in the east. If they trade Simons for a player who helps them, they will be a tough out.
East is weak, Knicks are considered the cream of the crop and they just canned the guy who got them to this point. Only Cleveland is a hard match up, maybe Orlando.
Of the team that lost to the Knicks, Porzingis barely played. Holiday was hurt. Brown was injured and Tatum blew his Achilles. Celtics will be fine.
No tanking necessary. They have Brad Stevens and cap space.
Did you really mention Hauser?
He’s a career 42% 3 point shooter.
Cleveland
Atlanta
New York
Orlando
Detroit
Sixers could be really good
Then why are they trying to dump Simons …..
All they need to do is salary dump Simon Then shut down Jalen Brown with the injury he had last year. Then its play for next year. A lottery pick is a nice addition . Especially a young center.
Tanking is disrespectful. I don’t believe the Celtics would do it. But they do have to get under all luxury tax this season, that’s the #1 goal, and why Simons future remains up in the air.
PJ Washington, Gafford and Brandon Williams for Simons, Hugo González and a pick
Win win trade
I think the Celts plan is to take the next couple of years to develop their young players. After building this needed young core, then they may bring in available veterans to win a title.
It’s either or not both . Can’t have everything. Five years from now watch this is their mistake… giving up
I expect a darn good season – better than many think! – while Celts fit developed players like Queta, Walsh and Scheierman into their rotation. And maybe Garza and Minott too. This good result while another younger group like Hugo, Luis, and Amari gets developed. And I think homebreds are better than trades … until you need those final pieces. Celts are good for years to come!