Five big questions for the Celtics in 2019

As the Celtics' regular season kicks off on Wednesday night, let's look at a few key storylines that will shape how this group performs during the 2019-20 season. 

1. Do the Celtics have enough talent at the center position to get by in a loaded Eastern Conference? This has been analyzed all summer long but the question still looms large when discussing the potential of this group. We saw a mixed bag of play from the quarter of Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, Vincent Poirier and Robert Williams this preseason as limitations were on full display with younger talent like Williams. On paper, this is a bottom five group in the NBA this season at the center spot but there is still a lot of unknown within these names. Poirier has the tools to be a strong rim runner and energy player off the bench. Williams has tantalizing athleticism and rim protection skills but needs to work on his awareness. Theis has seen success when given more opportunity in his first two seasons but his fouling tendencies could keep his minutes down, along with his size. Kanter’s defensive woes have been well documented and aren’t going anywhere at this stage of his career. Who in this group will earn the trust of Brad Stevens in crunch time? Or will Stevens be forced to downsize to Grant Williams or a stretch four like Gordon Hayward/Jaylen Brown with the game on the line. Given how much talent there is across the East at the center position, this is a tough year to have a big question mark at a pivotal position. From a defensive standpoint, I expect Theis and Poirier to eventually stand out from the pack but what Stevens can count on from this group could end up being a guessing game every night.

2. What version of Gordon Hayward are the Celtics getting this season? There were flashes of improvement in the preseason when it came to his aggression but the bigger test is yet to come in the form of consistency. Hayward’s comeback season was a big challenge in the face of a team that lacked the right chemistry last year but a lot more of the team’s success will hinge on his progress this season. Can he become a reliable creator once again and draw fouls at the rim? Will his 3-point shooting (33 percent last season) return? Will he be able to take advantage of mismatches against bigger defenders at the 4? He’s going to get every opportunity in the world to get closer to All-Star form but the C’s are going to be reliant on his success more than ever this year in the wake of so many offseason departures. Hot and cold performances won’t get the job done this year but an encouraging summer of healthy work in Boston should help Hayward unlock the player he wants to be.

3. Can the rookies live up to their summer hype? Even as their only healthy lottery pick watched from the sidelines for most of the summer and preseason, there is still measurable buzz about this draft class, particularly in the wake of Carsen Edwards’ 30-point explosion in the preseason last week. While Edwards has the makings to be a sharpshooter off the bench, the roster goes much deeper with inexperienced names that can make an impact. Grant Williams looks well equipped to challenge for power forward minutes thanks to his strength and developing 3-point shot. Vincent Poirier and Javonte Green will likely have to wait longer for a chance to contribute but both showed they can hold their own when given a chance. The same goes for Tremont Waters at the point guard spot, even though it sounds like most of his early reps will come in Maine with the Red Claws, along with Tacko Fall. With nearly half the roster on rookie deals, it will be intriguing to see how much Stevens turns to the youngsters in the early going against a more veteran bench group that has its on set of question marks (Wanamaker, Ojeleye, Kanter)

4. Does Danny Ainge think this team is good enough to make a run at the Eastern Conference? The NBA is as wide open as its been in several years and the case can also be made that the Eastern Conference could be had by any number of teams. The Sixers have a ton of talent on paper but supersizing their lineup could lead to perimeter shooting concerns as well as speed limitations. The Bucks lost a key piece of their backcourt in Malcolm Brogdon and are relying on a number of players past their prime in the backcourt (George Hill, Wesley Matthews). The Celtics don’t have the personnel to win a seven-game series against either team without some huge steps forward by their wing players, but Ainge does have the assets in future draft picks along with some movable salary after Dec 15 (when summer signings can be dealt) to make a move to bolster the frontcourt. It will probably take a lot for Ainge to pull the trigger on moving a major asset like the Memphis pick in season but with Kevin Durant on the sidelines and Brown and Tatum still on cheap deals for this season, a window of opportunity could appear for this group on the trade market if they establish chemistry early and make the front office believers in their potential.

5. Can the team’s current wing core mesh together with an improved leader in Kemba Walker? Jaylen Brown’s extension was certainly a vote of confidence in the 22-year-old swingman and a nod towards the Celtics wanting to maintain some certainty in their future. With that said, the deal also creates some tough decisions for the next year or two as Ainge must decide which wings he wants to build with for the future. Tatum is going to need a new deal in just two short years and it’s not feasible to be tying up so much money at one position on the floor, unless it produces a championship contender. The early returns on Hayward/Tatum/Brown as a unit last year weren’t promising but they get a fresh start now with a new leader in the fold in Kemba Walker. This upcoming season feels like a trial period in what will be a precursor to big decisions about the team’s direction in the next year or two. Do they build around Walker/Hayward/Tatum and use Brown as trade bait in a year or two? Is Tatum/Brown/Walker the answer as Hayward’s contract expires in 2021? Just how well the pieces fit together in the next six months will give us a clue towards where this group is headed.