Boston Celtics owner Bill Chisholm has expressed strong confidence in the team’s ability to perform well in the 2025-26 season despite the likely absence of star forward Jayson Tatum. Tatum is expected to miss most or all of the next season while recovering from an Achilles tendon injury suffered during the 2025 playoffs in May, but Chisholm believes the remaining roster will still provide enough talent to compete in the improving Eastern Conference.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Chisholm’s optimism centers on the contributions of key players like four-time All-Star Jaylen Brown, two-time All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White, and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard. These veterans form the core of a Celtics lineup that Chisholm thinks has important potential to unlock.
And I think there’s real talent here that hasn’t been fully realized,
Chisholm said, highlighting his belief in the existing squad’s capabilities.
Challenges Ahead for Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Head coach Joe Mazzulla faces a significant challenge this season as he guides a team that is not expected to be a championship favorite. The Celtics roster no longer features former All-Star centers Kristaps Porzingis and, likely, Al Horford, in addition to backup center Luke Kornet, all of whom have departed or remain unsigned. Horford, although offered a minimum contract to return, is reportedly interested in joining the Golden State Warriors once their dealings with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga conclude.
To fill these gaps in the frontcourt, Boston signed former two-time NBA champion Chris Boucher and veteran Luka Garza on minimum contracts. They will compete alongside incumbent fourth-string center Neemias Queta to replace Porzingis as the team’s starting center. The Celtics’ evolving frontcourt rotation remains a key area to watch.
I’m really excited to see what he does in this kind of environment,
Chisholm remarked about Mazzulla’s upcoming season.
I think people will really appreciate what he’s all about. When he doesn’t have the loaded team, what can he do? And I think that’s going to be really interesting, and I have every confidence he’s going to crush it.
Outlook for Celtics Without Their Star Player
Despite losing Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s top players, the Celtics remain hopeful they can contend for a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. The relative weakness of the conference offers Boston an opportunity to remain competitive even with a roster in transition. Fans and analysts alike will be watching how the team adapts without Tatum, especially how effectively Brown, White, and Pritchard step up.
As the team navigates uncertainty in key positions and adjusts strategy under coach Mazzulla, this upcoming season could serve as a critical test for both the players and the coaching staff. The extent to which the Celtics can exceed expectations will shape their approach for the future once Tatum returns to the court.