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USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Should they stay, or should they go? A primer on the Boston Celtics looming offseason
Should they stay, or should they go? A primer on the Boston Celtics looming offseason Which current Boston Celtics will likely be on the roster next season, and which may end up elsewhere? The speculation surrounding the future of the Celtics started earlier than expected for most fans of the team, due in large part to injuries to several key players in their 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals second round series vs. the New York Knicks. Add in the fact that Boston will have new ownership and a historic payroll and tax bill, and it seems all but certain at least some significant changes will be coming soon. The Celtics front office now needs to thread the needle of getting cheap enough in the short term to make an impact on the affordability of maintaining a roster capable of contention once stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are back to their elite selves again with deciding which players will accomplish those goals without giving up too many resources. And there is always the chance that Tatum or Brown never quite return to the heights they were at before injury, or that an offer for one of them is too good to pass on, radically transforming the calculus of team building across the board. To try to get a handle on which players are more or less likely from this year's roster to return, the Celtic Wire took a player-by-player magnifying glass to the 2024-25 roster. Let's take a look at everyone who was on it as of their last game in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, excluding two way players while working our way up the salary hierarchy. Torrey Craig A future free agent currently in his age 34 season, Craig managed to do what he was supposed to for Boston -- namely, eat some minutes on the wing without being a liability on either end of the court. He also left a bit to be desired in such a role, putting up 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds a game, with little else to speak of. Future salary: None - $1,046,289 in '24-25 Prediction: Signs elsewhere as Boston uses the slot to absorb a contract or cycle through talent for the future Jordan Walsh Walsh did not find a role with the team last season, but if you squinted, you could see the sort of role he might play in the future. Part of the reason he developed little is a lack of opportunity apart from the Maine Celtics, which he may have next season. Still just 21 years old, Walsh has done enough to have his mettle tested with regard to Boston's future before they make any decisions about whether to hang on or cut bait. Future salary: $2,221,677 ('25-26); $2,406,205 ('26-27) - both team option Prediction: Returns for a development-focused season, but could be cut for cap savings in a pinch JD Davison It is important to remember how young, like Walsh, Davison still is. Just 22, the Alabama native still has time to develop into a rotation player. The 2025 G League MVP might also have appeal in a trade for that reason, but with an unguaranteed deal, also could be a cap casualty depending on how the offseason goes. Future salary: $2,270,735 - team option Prediction: Cut, then re-signed on a cheaper, multi-year deal Neemias Queta Even if he did not have guaranteed money, Queta showed enough growth last season to keep around. And with Boston likely thin up front, he should get the sort of run he will need to make a decision about his longer-term future with the team. Future salary: $2,349,578 ('25-26); $2,667,944 ('26-27 - team option) Prediction: Returns, carves out a role as a bit better than a third center, but not quite the second Xavier Tillman Sr. The Tillman experiment did not exactly go as planned, but it is unclear how much of his issues were caused by confidence in his shot, and how much was due to his being hurt much of the season. He's on a guaranteed deal and would compete with Queta for floor time, which the Portuguese big seems better-positioned to earn. Future salary: $2,546,675 ('25-26) Prediction: Returns, ends up the de facto third center, and perhaps rehabs his value with some luck Baylor Scheierman The now-second year wing is in line for a major uptick in minutes and opportunity given the team outlook on injuries, trades, and free agency. He flashed signs of being able to truly become a part of the rotation late last season, and we expect him to make that step. It might not come as early or evenly as some might hope, but we think he'll fill the bigger shoes well with some patience Boston may have little choice but to grant him. Future salary: $2,619,000 ('25-26); $2,744,040 ('26-27 - team option); $4,952,992 ('27-28 - team option); $7,924,787 ('28-29 qualifying offer) Prediction: Remains with the team, and plays about 15-20 minutes per game Luke Kornet Kornet again played bigger than his paycheck, and as an unrestricted free agent, has real potential to be poached by a league in need of competent big play. But if he stays, he may have a major or even starting role for Boston next season -- could he parlay that into an even bigger payday as his prime inches towards ending at age 29? Future salary: None - $2,800,834 in '24-25 Prediction: Stays for around $5-7 million for a single season, but could leave if the offer was right Al Horford Given how well he played last season and how competitive he is, we would not be shocked to see a team steal Horford away for another run at a ring. But the Florida alum has also made it clear how much he loves playing for Boston in the recent past, so we think it more likely than not he comes back in some capacity if no offer he can't refuse is tendered. Future salary: None - $9,500,000 in '24-25 Prediction: Returns with whatever Boston can offer him above the minimum if not poached Payton Pritchard Pritchard had a Sixth Man of the Year season, and might never see his value as a trade chip higher. But a decent amount of that value is baked into his contract, a league-leading value, for a team that will desperately need his production, especially if moves up the cap structure open up more backcourt minutes. That, in turn, could push his value to Boston and as a trade option, still higher. Future salary: $7,232,143 ('25-26); $7,767,857 ('26-27); $8,303,571 ('27-28) Prediction: Remains with the team, tries on a starter role for a full season Sam Hauser While last season was a clear step back for Hauser, emphasis should be placed on 'back,' as an injury to it likely messed with his shot from deep in the regular season, and perhaps in confidence in the playoffs. But he also defended more consistently throughout the course of the season, and could be in high demand given his salary fits into mid-level exceptions in a cap-starved league landscape. Future salary: $10,044,644 ('25-26); $10,848,215 ('26-27); $11,651,785 ('27-28); $12,455,356 ('28-29) Prediction: Sent out for draft asset(s) unless a multi-team deal for one of Kristaps Porzingis or Jrue Holiday eliminates the need (more on this shortly) Derrick White As is the case with several teammates, his value to Boston -- and as a trade option -- has never been higher, and is on a good value contract. But he will also be critical to the Celtics next season for helping to generate offense in Jayson Tatum's absence and future contention plans, so it would likely take a serious overpay to steal away the Colorado native. Future salary: $28,100,000 ('25-26); $30,348,000 ('26-27); $32,596,000 ('27-28); $34,844,000 ('28-29) Prediction: Remains with the team, makes his first All-Star team as a reserve Kristaps Porzingis His value after another postseason that saw him largely unable to suit up and impact winning has definitely taken a hit, but pending how his gig playing for the Latvian National Team this summer goes, could rebound a bit with luck. And on an expiring deal of some size, he may be the most likely candidate to move, given he has real if limited upside with no long-term risk and cap relief potential baked in. Future salary: $30,731,707 ('25-26) Prediction: Traded for cap relief Jrue Holiday Holiday remains one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders. His game on the other side of the court has shown some cracks, but it also had to coexist with several higher priorities on the court in Boston's rotations most nights. His long, not-cheap contract is worth pausing to think about, but given most teams won't have windows to contend beyond its length anyway, may matter less to another team than it likely does to Boston. Future salary: $32,400,000 ('25-26); $34,800,000 ('26-27); $37,200,000 ('27-28 - player option) Prediction: Traded for cap relief and a rotation player, perhaps requiring draft assets for a solid player return Jaylen Brown We don't yet know whether surgery will be required for his partially torn meniscus, nor how long he will be out if so. We expect Boston to use depth spots to look for talent either way, but a long recovery for Brown could signal a mini-tank for the Celtics next season. If he can play before mid-December, Boston might be a sneaky-good playoff team despite all they are going through. Watch the prognosis for clues to what the team may choose for a direction. There's a chance a massive offer steals him away, but we think it very unlikely. Future salary: $53,142,264 ('25-26); $57,078,728 ('26-27); $61,015,192 ('27-28); $64,951,656 ('28-29) Prediction: Remains with the team, gets a feel for leading the team solo, posts career assist numbers Jayson Tatum The linchpin of it all, how and when Boston feels the St. Louis native returns could see anything from minor moves to save money to a total rebuild. That said, it seems more likely than not the former is much more likely of an outcome than the latter, but in today's post-Luka-Doncic-in-Dallas era, anything is on the table. We expect him to push to return next season, and to be close to his old self, given all we have heard about the injury, the surgery, and his age. Future salary: $54,126,380 ('25-26); $58,456,490 ('26-27); $62,786,601 ('27-28); $67,116,711 ('28-29) Prediction: Returns to the court for Boston in '26-27, but agitates to return late in '25-26
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maine Celtics' playoff elimination poses questions about JD Davison, Drew Peterson's futures
Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images A special Maine Celtics season ended on Sunday night with a 135-119 loss to the Osceola Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, despite continued strong play from G League MVP JD Davison. Davison dropped 34 points and 11 assists, 14 of which came in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 42-point performance by Mac McClung. A Davison jumper brought the Celtics to within single digits with four minutes to play, but the Magic pulled away behind hot shooting and superb offensive execution. Advertisement Celtics two-way forward Drew Peterson recorded 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 turnovers. Fellow two-way signee Miles Norris added 19 points and 8 rebounds on 7-11 shooting from the floor. Starting center James Banks III, a second-year player on the Maine Celtics, once again faced foul trouble, and was limited to 4 points and 5 rebounds in just 11 minutes. Tristan Enaruna, who finished with 20 points on 7 of 17 shooting, started in place of Jordan Walsh. Walsh was in Boston for the Celtics' 124-90 win over the Wizards, and played 7 fourth-quarter minutes in the victory, grabbing two rebounds. Mac McClung leads a dominant effort for the Magic On the other side, Mac McClung led the way with 42 points and 6 assists. McClung, the 2024 G League MVP, shot 16 of 26 from the field and 3 of 7 from threes. Advertisement Ethan Sampson, another Magic two-way player, and Jalen Slawsoh each added 20 points. Osceola shot 18-39 (46.2%) from three, with five players hitting at least three three-pointers. Maine knew beating the Magic wasn't going to be easy. 'It's gonna be a challenge,' Lashbrook said after the Celtics' win over the Westchester Knicks on Thursday. 'It's gonna be a battle. That team has been on a roll — about the same time that we started getting on our run, they went on their own run. To me, it's been the two best teams over this last back half of the stretch, and so it'll be fun game for us to match up.' As a result of the victory, the Magic (22-12) will advance to face the Stockton Kings (22-12) in a three-game G League Finals, while the Maine Celtics season comes to an end. What's next for JD Davison and the Maine Celtics? The Celtics' three two-ways — Davison, Norris, and Peterson — will rejoin the Boston Celtics for the postseason run, as will Maine Celtics assistant coach Tyler Lashbrook, who was an assistant coach on the Celtics' championship team last year. The two-ways will be eligible to play in the Celtics' final four regular season games — against the Knicks, Magic, and Hornets (twice), but given their two-way status, they won't be eligible to suit up in the playoffs. Advertisement The Celtics still have a 15th roster spot available on their main roster and could sign one of their two-way players to the final sport, as they did with Neemias Queta toward the end of last season. Queta spent far more time (13.7 minutes per game across 28 games) with Boston last year than any two-way player has this year, but it's still quite possible that Boston would convert one of the two-way contracts to a guaranteed deal. Davison has been by far Maine's best player this season, averaging 25.1 points and 7.5 assists this season — and 35 points and 13.3 assists in the postseason. In his third season with the Celtics, Davison dominated the G League from start to finish and was named MVP of the league last week. But, Peterson has spent more time around Boston than Davison, and could also be up for consideration for the final roster spot. Peterson has appeared in 22 regular-season games for the Celtics this season, averaging 7.2 minutes per game on 40% shooting. Davison, meanwhile, has only appeared in 13 games, averaging 4.3 minutes. But his dominance in the G League has been unrivaled and has been the coaches in noticed by the coach in Boston, too. Advertisement 'His leadership has really grown — just his ability to impact winning in different ways,' Joe Mazzulla said last week. It seems most unlikely that Norris, who has spent just a few weeks with the Celtics organization, would be converted from a two-way to a guaranteed contract so quick. A decision regarding the 15th roster spot will be made in the coming weeks, with the Celtics' regular season coming to a close on April 13th at home against the Hornets. More from
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Boston Celtics' JD Davison has earned a shot at the NBA
Boston Celtics' JD Davison has earned a shot at the NBA JD Davison has been with the Boston Celtics for three seasons, all of which have been on two-way contracts. During his time with the team and the Maine Celtics in the G League, Davison has improved his overall game. On April 2, Davison took another step forward in his pursuit of a full-time roster spot in the NBA, being named as the 2025 G-League MVP. Throughout the G League season, Davison has averaged 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Unfortunately, the impressive guard has struggled to crack Boston's primary rotation, mainly due to the strength in depth the Celtics have at the guard position. Davison recently shared his reaction to winning the G League MVP award during a news conference. The 53rd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft remained humble. Nevertheless, his production this season will undoubtedly position him to have a chance at making the NBA next season, either with the Celtics or on another NBA roster. You can watch Davison's full news conference by clicking on the video above. Watch to the "Celtics Chronicle" podcast on: YouTube: Substack:
Boston Globe
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Celtics two-way contract player JD Davison named G League Most Valuable Player
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'It's always tough being here because of the balance of winning and developing at the same time,' Mazzulla said. 'It takes a little more patience and understanding of the long-term and still trying to win in the short term. So I think his leadership has grown, and just his ability to impact the game in different ways.' Advertisement Davison is the second Maine Celtic to be named G League MVP, joining guard Tim Frazier , who was selected in 2014-15. Davison already holds the franchise record for points (2,677), assists (1,065) and games played (133). He said that even though he has not been a big part of the Celtics' rotation, his time around the team has helped him grow. Advertisement 'I think I just talk to the guys more,' he said. 'My first year I came into the locker room, did my work and just left. But now last year and this year I think I talk to the guys more and more about anything. Just getting more comfortable around the guys I think helped me a lot.' Record for White Guard Derrick White set the Celtics' single-season record for made 3-pointers in Monday's win over the Grizzlies. He now has 247, moving him past Isaiah Thomas, who made 245 in 2016-17. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard are both within reach of finishing this season with the record, too. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra , who coached White during the Paris Olympics as a USA Basketball assistant, said he was an admirer of White's. 'I have the utmost respect for Derrick,' Spoelstra said. 'He's a winning player. Now he's doing things that the rest of the people recognize, but the people who have competed against him realized pretty quickly how much he impacts winning. And, he's way more than just a 3-point shooter.' Brown back, but three sidelined The Celtics were without guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder), forward Al Horford (toe) and center Kristaps Porzingis (rest). Forward Jaylen Brown , who has missed four of the last seven games because of a bone bruise in his knee, returned to the starting lineup. The Heat were without Nikola Jovic , Kevin Love , Duncan Robinson and Andrew Wiggins . Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mac McClung had so many props (like a hoverboard and a second ball) in the NBA Dunk Contest
Mac McClung continued to impress fans during the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, doing far more than just jumping over a Kia. It was a remarkable performance as the former G League MVP won his third consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest, earning the first three-peat in contest history. He defeated San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle in the final round of the contest and he used so many props en route to earning the crown. One of the dunks included a hoverboard, a ladder, and two basketballs for a perfect score. MAC MCCLUNG OH MY GOODNESS — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2025 His final dunk of the night got an assist from Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, who was standing on an elevated platform. It was genuinely impressive and an unforgettable night from McClung: McClung is the first person to ever win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three years in a row. There was no doubt after watching him do it that he would come away with the trophy.
