Latest news with #KristapsPorzingis
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Could the Boston Celtics still emerge as a contending roster?
After a flurry of moves to begin the offseason, the narrative surrounding the Boston Celtics is that they're going to struggle next season. Moving on from Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis undoubtedly hurt the franchise, while losing Luke Kornet and potentially Al Horford crippled the team's frontcourt depth. However, the Celtics still have Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Anfernee Simons and Payton Pritchard on the roster. And while it's not fair to expect Jayson Tatum to return next season, there's always the slight chance he defies the odds. As such, Boston's roster is strong enough to cause opposing teams problems, even if it's not good enough to be deemed a championship favorite. In a recent episode of "The Hoop Collective" podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst was joined by Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps to discuss the Celtics' outlook for next season and whether they should still be considered contenders in a weakened Eastern Conference. You can watch the full podcast episode by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Website:
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Are the Boston Celtics in the bottom tier of the NBA's Eastern Conference?
Are the Boston Celtics in the bottom tier of the NBA's Eastern Conference after their series of cost-cutting roster moves this offseason? The Celtics chose to move on from costly players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and after his free agency signing, Luke Kornet, to reshape their roster while star forward Jayson Tatum is out for the season while he rehabs his Achilles tendon injury. The lower-cost players that the team's front office signed (Luka Garza and Josh Minott) or drafted (Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga) to replace them do not exactly move the needle in terms of their potential impact. Just how big of a step back is Boston taking for the coming 2025-26 NBA season? The hosts of the CLNS Media "Celtics Beat" podcast, Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over with guest Brian Barrett of the Ringer. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Do the Boston Celtics have a front court problem?
After losing Luke Kornet, Kristaps Porzingis and potentially Al Horford this summer, the Boston Celtics front court has suffered a significant talent drain. Brad Stevens has tried to stem some of the bleeding by bringing in Luka Garza in free agency, although there's currently no guarantee he will successfully plug some of the gap left behind. Overall, the Celtics front-court rotation looks like the biggest weak point in the team's roster construction. Without Jayson Tatum, who is currently out with an Achilles tendon injury, the Celtics lack high-level talent and reliable depth at the four and the five. During a recent appearance on "98.5 The Sports Hub," The Athletic's Jay King sounded the alarm over Boston's limited front-court depth, noting that it has the potential to be "really bad." Of course, with months left until the start of the new NBA season, things could look different by opening night. Nevertheless, as currently constructed, the Celtics can't be expected to make a deep postseason run unless Mazzulla finds a way of getting the best out of his makeshift roster. You can watch the full podcast episode by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Website:
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtics' newly acquired forward makes statement on fan expectations
The Celtics have been very active this offseason. For financial reasons, they had to part ways with some key players on their 2024 championship roster recently. One of the players they got in return isn't exactly an upgrade, and fans let that be known. This player was recently on a podcast, where he made a statement on why the fans have the right to be frustrated with him being traded for Porzingis. What new Celtic made a statement? The Celtics traded away Kristaps Porzingis this summer, and one of the assets they received was Georges Niang. Niang has gotten a lot of criticism from the fanbase as they already are asking for him to be traded, despite not playing a single game in Boston yet. The hate dates back to a situation that happened in a playoff game between him and Jaylen Brown, but at the same time, fans aren't happy about the trade from a logistical standpoint. MORE: Explaining new Celtic Georges Niang's past feud with Jaylen Brown Niang was recently on "The OGs" podcast, where he addressed these feelings the fanbase has about him. Niang's statement was, "I'm a Boston kid. They don't give a s*t if I'm from Boston, they're like you just took my unicorn and replaced it with a minivan." Porzingis wasn't exactly healthy and available on the court all of the time, but he was way more enjoyable for the fanbase to have on their team, rather than what they expect out of Niang. Niang went on to say that either way, he is ready for the challenge that comes with playing in Boston, especially next season, as the Celtics will need players to step up while Jayson Tatum is out. MORE: A former Celtic got first ring in 2025 Summer League, but not in the way you'd expect Niang does hold the impressive NBA record of most wins among players since 2020. He's won 295 games, 4 games ahead of new teammate Jayson Tatum. Niang has had success on winning teams such as the Jazz, 76ers and Cavs. He hopes to make a positive impact on the Celtics, the same way he's done for other teams in the past few seasons. MORE NBA NEWS: Former Laker says being traded to Mavericks was best moment of his career Celtics 2025 draft pick is behind only Tacko Fall in shocking NBA Draft Combine measurement Rockets sign elite defensive guard with 3.5 steals per 36 minutes Trail Blazers sign promising 22-year old/2022 first-round pick Kings re-sign 44 percent three-point shooter
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brad Stevens Gets Honest On Why Celtics Traded Jrue Holiday And Kristaps Porzingis
Brad Stevens Gets Honest On Why Celtics Traded Jrue Holiday And Kristaps Porzingis originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Boston Celtics look very different from the championship-winning roster they had two years ago. After making significant changes to their roster, the Celtics' status as title contenders has come into question. When asked to explain the reasoning behind these decisions, Celtics president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, offered a candid response: "Trades happened. I think that those are pretty obvious. And the basketball penalties associated with those are real. We've all talked about that. But we're fortunate because we like the guys we got back. You know, and I think that that's one of the things that, you know, we are excited about." After facilitating the trades for Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics saved a significant amount of money in luxury tax payments. However, he expressed that it was challenging to see key players like Holiday and Porzingis on the way out. He continued: "Those are not easy trades to make. Those are not easy phone calls. Obviously, those guys have been around the league a long time. They knew the CBA. They knew that that was a high likelihood that they could be part of a move, and they were communicated that before. But it's still hard. We will miss them, and we are thankful for them.' Stevens also addressed the positive aspects of the trades and their offseason signings of Luka Garza and Josh Minott. He added: "We've been limited in what tools we can use, with where we are right around the second apron. We were looking for those guys on those contracts that have upside, and who are competitors, who are workers, who want to be good and haven't hit their peak yet, but we've seen something in them that gives them a chance to be very impactful." While the addition of Garza and Minott may be considered positive from a salary cap point of view, neither player is capable of moving the needle for the team next season. The impact of the trades has left the Celtics in a weakened position, especially considering that they will be without their superstar Jayson Tatum for much of next season as well. With significantly reduced roster strength, the upcoming season effectively appears to be a gap year for the Celtics. But the franchise has already set its sights on the future. Boston has reportedly emerged as a potential landing spot for recently waived star guard Damian Lillard. After being bought out by the Bucks, Lillard will enter free agency, where he has garnered attention from a handful of teams thus far. Considering that Lillard will also be recovering from injury next season, the timeline for his return aligns with Tatum's. On a reduced salary, Lillard could join the Celtics, effectively transforming them into a contender again. While there would be a severe need to bolster their frontcourt, Boston could find itself on the path to becoming title contenders again by following such a story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
