After an offseason full of surprises and setbacks, the Boston Celtics find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Once a dominant force with a championship pedigree, Boston now enters the 2025–26 season facing major uncertainties.
The Achilles injury to Jayson Tatum, the trades of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and a reshuffled supporting cast have drastically shifted expectations.
While the Eastern Conference remains competitive but flawed, questions linger about whether Boston can remain a top contender or if a slide is inevitable. This article explores how offseason moves, player development, and conference dynamics shape the Celtics’ prospects and whether they’re still the safest bet in the East.