With six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season, the Boston Celtics’ offensive responsibilities now primarily rest on four-time All-Star Jaylen Brown. Brown, a 6-foot-6 wing known for his physicality, has improved his ball handling but remains somewhat inconsistent from long range, which could be a challenge as opposing defenses increasingly target him.
Despite Strengths, Brown Sees a Surprising Drop in Eastern Conference Rankings
Brown, who earned the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier two-way players, finds himself ranked only eighth among Eastern Conference players in the latest list by NBA.com’s Shaun Powell. While Brown is in his prime at age 28 and an efficient overall scorer, this rating falls short of expectations given his proven impact on the Celtics.
Top Players in the East and Brown’s Position on the List
Powell’s rankings showcase Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo as the clear top player in the Eastern Conference, followed by New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson at No. 2 and Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell at No. 3. Rising young stars Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons are ranked fourth and fifth respectively, placing them ahead of Brown at No. 8. This list also includes center Joel Embiid at No. 6 and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley at No. 7.
https://t.co/wWGNmWnCY9’s top 10 players in the East: 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo 2. Jalen Brunson 3. Donovan Mitchell 4. Paolo Banchero 5. Cade Cunningham 6. Joel Embiid 7. Evan Mobley 8. Jaylen Brown 9. Karl-Anthony Towns 10. Trae Young pic.twitter.com/AXTiLq436H
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Considerations Impacting Brown’s Ranking
Powell acknowledges that Brown is coming off a strong 2023-24 campaign where he averaged 23 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, earning a supermax deal following his Finals MVP performance. However, Powell points out a “comedown” following that season, noting that while Brown is one of the best second options in the league, he does not excel as an elite star across any singular skill.
He experienced a bit of a comedown from his solid 2023-24 season (23 ppg, 5.5 rpg) in which his NBA Finals MVP and championship earned him a supermax extension,
Powell writes.
Still, for a No. 2 option, Brown rates among the very best — and he’d be No. 1 on several teams that don’t employ, among others, Tatum. We’ll see soon enough what Brown is capable of doing in that role, with Tatum sidelined perhaps this entire season. Brown is an efficient shooter (career 47.8%) and solid overall, though not elite in any particular area.
— Shaun Powell, NBA.com
Another factor likely influencing Brown’s placement is his current recovery from a meniscus tear, which raises questions about his readiness and effectiveness for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, opponents such as Embiid, despite recent health struggles, remain highly regarded due to their dominant potential when on the court.
Implications of Brown’s Ranking for Celtics’ Future Outlook
The Celtics face a challenging season with Brown positioned as the primary offensive leader in Tatum’s absence. The ranking signals an uneasy uncertainty surrounding his ability to fully carry the team as opponents focus their defense on him more heavily. How Brown adapts to this expanded role could significantly affect Boston’s chances of maintaining their competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.
With Brown entering what should be his prime years, fans and analysts will closely watch his performance and resilience throughout the season. His efficiency and two-way ability remain assets, but elevating his game to meet higher expectations is vital for the Celtics’ title aspirations.