"It's not that there was any need for a rebuild; Boston still has an incredible foundation of young superstars that will keep its championship window open for years. But when Jayson Tatum suffered his achilles injury in the playoffs last season, it was clear things were going to be different. And since Boston was already dealing with a salary cap conundrum, knowing Tatum's status allowed Brad Stevens to make decisions geared towards the future - beyond 2025."
"Thus, Boston's championship roster from two seasons ago was partially dismantled. Stevens got rid of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and other contributors like Al Horford and Luke Kornet moved on as well. But any dreams Boston fans might have had about a lottery pick to pair with Tatum and Jaylen Brown in 2026 have faded away. Because Joe Mazzulla has the Celtics playing like a team that's not ready to phone it in."
Boston entered the season expected to decline after Jayson Tatum suffered an achilles injury and salary-cap limitations influenced roster decisions. Brad Stevens traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis while other contributors departed, partially dismantling the championship roster. Despite the changes and an underpowered lineup, Joe Mazzulla has the team playing effectively and positioned as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference through a winning streak. Mazzulla secured signature wins, including a Dec. 20th victory over the Raptors without Jaylen Brown, with key contributions from role players. Voter judgment for Coach of the Year may hinge on how record versus roster strength is weighed.
Read at Boston.com
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