NBA Notebook: Final offseason questions for Celtics and NBA schedule breakdown

It's officially the most quiet period of the NBA calendar with most of the offseason activity around the league winding down, many players yet to return to their home cities and the Olympics concluded with the USA's 98-87 finish to a thrilling ride. The Jayson Tatum benching provided plenty of dialogue and debate in recent weeks, but even that story seems more likely to fizzle in the near term rather than carry into training camp later next month. 

It's time to imagine the major questions that'll dictate how this season begins and finishes for the reigning champion Celtics. There aren't many. Any could weigh on their ability to repeat though, with the sustainability of the team's depth, the ability of the players to mentally follow-up the same efforts that led to the championship last year and the strength of their challengers likely to become the biggest factors for Boston to repeat. 

Health always matters more than anything. Let's begin there.

1. How will the team sustain without Kristaps Porzingis?

This one's a big deal. Even though Boston dominated last year when Porzingis missed time, he typically missed short stretches or the playoffs, where other players logging massive minutes accounted for his loss. Retaining Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Neemias Queta could counteract that loss if all three players repeat or build on their productivity from last season. My biggest worry is the continued reliance on Al Horford to log enormous time at the five. With Brad Stevens indicating to the Globe that Porzingis' recovery will be a longer rather than shorter one, that leaves half the season where either Horford needs to play more or the team will draw from its depth bigs to relieve him. It's hard not to imagine that having an impact. Fortunately, for the team's playoff aspirations, Porzingis' injury doesn't project to be one that could linger or have lasting effects once he finishes his recovery. Porzingis held up well for much of last regular season. It's a shame the postseason went how it did for him health-wise. 

2. Will Jayson Tatum's 3-point shot return? 

Tatum shot 0-for-10 from three during his limited Olympic run, a tough sample size to draw from, though one that followed a postseason-long slump from three. That Tatum didn't get more threes up in general is the more curious takeaway from his offseason performance with Team USA. He didn't shoot a single three in multiple exhibition and Olympic appearances, perhaps a credit to his conciliatory approach and what Steve Kerr wanted his role to be, however it's hard to imagine that spacing and shooting wouldn't be his focus for lack of ball time. In Boston, pull-up shooting remains central to his role and how the Celtics generate the three-point volume Joe Mazzulla favors. Tatum shot well on that heavy workload, many of his shots difficult ones, but a continued dip in his effectiveness from three would lead to some offensive rockiness alongside Porzingis' absence. Tatum's willing passing, improved finishing and defensive impact can sustain bad shooting nights. A bad shooting season would be more difficult to manage. It's still unclear what caused his playoff decline.

3. How will the team handle its empty 15th roster spot? 

Oshae Brissett remains in free agency and recently said he's in contact with multiple teams with a return to the Celtics still possible. Boston typically prefers to leave its final roster spot open for flexibility's sake, and having that available will help fill the gym for training camp. The Celtics could use Brissett for all the concerns listed above regarding Porzingis' absence. He'd have a more significant role during the regular season. With Svi Mykhailiuk signing a four-year, $15 million deal, there could be more money available to Brissett elsewhere as well as playing time. Leaving 15 open, which the Celtics did until April last season, also allows for some luxury tax relief which becomes important as the team's payroll points northward. The Brissett consideration matters, and he won't stay available for much longer. Brissett's shooting regression also made him a difficult fit at times. Is a prospect or veteran flier worth losing a borderline rotation player last year who allowed the Celtics to play smaller in an important east finals win? 

4. Who will emerge as the largest threat to Boston in the East? Does it matter?

The Knicks became the second-best team in the east selection among many evaluators by adding Mikal Bridges. That'll require Jalen Brunson repeating his near-MVP performance from 2024 and the team sustaining an underrated loss in Isaiah Hartenstein. There are depth, age and coaching concerns in Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn't played significant playoff minutes since 2022 due to separate injuries. Khris Middleton underwent surgery on both ankles this summer. I can't get past the Bucks, though, who unloaded two of the most dominant wins by any opposing team over the Celtics last year at home (albeit with the schedule a major impact in the first). It's hard to rule out healthy Heat or Cavaliers teams either, who would have pushed the Celtics harder with Jimmy Butler and Donovan Mitchell available. Philadelphia's track record of flaming out in the playoffs due to Joel Embiid's health makes them a tough team to place atop this list. They did fit into my top-five teams who played the Celtics toughest last regular season, which, including the west, also featured Denver, Oklahoma City, Minnesota and the Bucks. New York lost 4-of-5 to Boston, defeating them handily in the final and only game that featured OG Anunoby between the two. The Celtics had already secured playoff positioning then. If the Boston replicates its effectiveness from a year ago, nobody matches their talent and togetherness. 

5. How will Joe Mazzulla manage any championship hangover? 

When Brad Stevens speaks, I listen. His warning that the 2021 season could be difficult, following the Bubble, played out, and while more typical Stevens caution than a sign that something's wrong, he emphasized how challenging 2025 will be for the team in his recent Globe interview. That stands out because of the championship hangover challenge alone, beyond some of the few concerns on my list. Much of that falls on Joe Mazzulla, who nearly flawlessly navigated egos, assigned offensive roles and re-ignited the team's past defensive intensity. Focus, consistency and commitment to roles factored as much into the team's dominance one year ago than the Celtics' talent, depth or the supremacy of its stars. They achieved their goal in June. Will the drive to repeat prove as alluring for the group collectively? Having everyone under contract helps. The long regular season doesn't. 

6. How will the aging players advance -- or regress? 

Horford turned 38 and played 7,674 minutes over the past three seasons, which boiled down to 29 per game. The Celtics have done an excellent job managing his playing time in the regular season, but injuries to others in the front court and his major annual playoff role have pointed that number higher in the spring months. Horford averaged 7.0 RPG and shot 36.8% from three as the mainstay at center, sprinkling in some two-pointers at a 72.1% rate. His inside game has declined most with age, and while he's avoided significant injury in his career, games where he played with less rest saw him fall to 46.9% from the field and 39.7% from three from 44.4% when he's better rested. Jrue Holiday turned 34 in June and turned into more of a physical stopper during portions of last season rather than always assuming the most burdensome assignment on an opposing guard. For Derrick White, who turned 30 in July, aging and health are less of a question than his ability to maintain stellar shooting from three over the past two years (38.9%, 42.4% playoffs). White, again on limited attempts, shot 30.8% from deep with the Olympic team. All three players have dominated to a degree where any regression would become noticeable offensively. They should remain defensive stalwarts. 

7. Who will surprise most this season? 

Newcomers Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson should have opportunities to play when others are resting. Scheierman didn't wow as a shooter at Summer League, and leaned into his versatility to impact rebounding with a strong nose for the ball while flashing stellar passing throughout. Watson shot average, which he'll likely have to exceed to break through in Boston's front court this year, though his defensive versatility shined and is a skill the Celtics need when they court a thinner lineup. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have already surprised plenty over the past two years, and now it's time for Neemias Queta to become the team's next development success. His path began with Sacramento before they waived him and he took advantage of many of the short stints Boston provided him with last year while short-handed. He averaged 5.9 PPG and 5.5 RPG while shooting 60.6% over an eight-game span last December before shooting 75% and scoring 6.2 PPG in five games later that winter. His short Summer League stint showed growth. If he can foul less and fit into the team's defensive scheme, he'll impact the Boston Celtics, and DJ MacLeay already revealed that the team tinkered with new defensive looks in Las Vegas that suited Queta's skill set. Kornet and Tillman both played well last year, which creates a gap Queta will have to surmount. 

8. Can and how will Jaylen Brown improve again? 

Brown averaged 3.6 APG, a career-high, while his 2.4 turnovers per night marked his fewest since 2020. He also improved year-over-year shooting 35.4% from three. It's hard to imagine now that last November, the player who'd go on to win the East Finals and Finals MVP awards faced questions about how he'd fit in with this roster. Brown answered them by honing in on his two-point focus, playing inside away from Tatum's perimeter game and producing another 57% shooting season inside the arc. What's next? This team will need his continued emphasis on defense and another consistent showing from him on that side of the ball could garner him more looks for All-Defensive status. That'll be more difficult with the Celtics likely needing to switch more with Porzingis out. Brown thrived at focusing on one assignment while Boston funneled offensive players toward its center in a drop. Offensively, Brown might initiate more offensive sets if he draws extra defensive pressure next season, which would free up Tatum in more off-ball looks for the fellow star. Much of Brown's success will come from repeating what he did last year though, limiting mistakes and making the most of each shot attempt. He'll still mix in an ill-advised look, draining many, which excuses him from the criticism Tatum receives for his most difficult shots. 

9. Does this team have enough athleticism? 

This is a big one. The faster, physically imposing and most athletic teams will make life most difficult for what's an average Celtics unit in those aspects. Aside from Tatum and Brown, Boston's roster doesn't feature much depth in those departments, and while only a handful of teams can expose them in those areas, Oklahoma City comes to mind first, with layers of fast, long and athletic wings able to challenge them in both meetings last year and beating Boston decisively in the road game. New York added another athletic wing in Mikal Bridges while building a roster suited to defeat the Celtics. That's why Giannis Antetokounmpo concerns me even if the cast around him has grown less athletic and older. The Pacers, who can't go unmentioned as competitors, took advantage of this area against Boston effectively in the east finals. The Wolves and Clippers added more athleticism too, and the Charlotte Hornets have the ability challenge the Celtics with theirs when they meet. It's perhaps the one vulnerability Boston's roster has that could become a factor in playoff matchups -- especially late. Celtics-Thunder is my early Finals matchup prediction. 

10. How will the team manage minutes and load after long runs for everyone? 

Stevens mentioned this in June. They have to manage the roster's load effectively, both with rest and ramp-ups. Tatum rarely sat again last year, played the entire postseason, then jumped into the Olympics process. Horford will need more management given the load he'll assume when he does play. Holiday and White will need some time off. Boston's depth handled those situations exceptionally last year, with only White's absence severely affecting the team when he missed limited time. To finish as the top team in the east, they'll need to find the right balance between rest and rhythm for this roster after a long run last year. Finding a way to get Porzingis to the playoffs healthy will be more important this time around. The Celtics didn't have the easiest path ever in 2024. They did catch some injury and matchup breaks. They'll need some more with the east appearing more challenging in 2025. 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Boston: Play six of their first eight games on the road to begin the 2024-25 season with their first three home games coming against the Knicks on opening night, the Bucks on Oct. 28 and Steve Kerr's Warriors on Nov. 6. Boston faces Milwaukee three times between that first game and Dec. 6. Marcus Smart and the Grizzlies visit TD Garden on Dec. 8. A grueling stretch following New Year's Day sees Boston playing at Minnesota, Houston, Oklahoma City and Denver over a six day span. Their second west coast trip comes weeks later at Golden State, the Clippers, Lakers and Mavericks. The first 76ers meeting happens on Feb. 2, Dallas returns to Boston for a Finals rematch on Feb. 6 and Victor Wembanyama plays at the Garden on Feb. 12. Denver visits on Mar. 2, Robert Williams III potentially returns with Portland on Mar. 5, the Lakers arrive on Mar. 8 and Svi Mykhailiuk will receive his ring with Utah on Mar. 10. The Celtics' NBA Cup games take place on Nov. 12 (vs. ATL), Nov. 19 (@CLE), Nov. 22 (vs. WAS) and Nov. 29 (@ CHI). The NBA Cup tournament is Dec. 10-17. The Celtics have 13 back-to-backs and 34 national TV games, the third-most behind the Lakers and Warriors. 

Brooklyn: Joe Harris retired after a 10-year career that peaked with the Nets between 2016-2023. Brooklyn traded Harris to Detroit last summer, where he struggled with injuries and played sparingly. Harris played at Virginia for four years before the Cavaliers selected him No. 33 overall, who also signed LeBron James in 2014 on their way to back-to-back Finals appearances. Cleveland traded Harris in January before the 2016 title, allowing him to sign with the Nets and become a 44% three-point shooter across 2236 attempts as one of the league's most efficient deep threats. Brooklyn defeated the Celtics in the first round in 2021 behind Harris 51.5% three-point shooting before more injuries cost him most of 2022 and eventually his career.

Charlotte: Will play a pair of mini-series that should intrigue beyond Charles Lee's return to Boston (Apr. 11-13) alongside Grant Williams, who like Smart and Williams III did not play at the Garden in 2024. The Hornets host the Celtics between Nov. 1-2, which only forces Boston to travel to Charlotte once. The Hornets open their season on Oct. 23 against the Rockets in Houston. They face the Magic, Nets, Knicks and 76ers in the NBA Cup.

Chicago: Lonzo Ball (knee) continues to progress in his rehab while his status for opening night against the Pelicans in New Orleans remains uncertain. Ball projects to participate in training camp to some degree while the team maintains a cautious approach to his return that could land him with the team's G-League affiliate and a minutes restriction to begin the season, according to the Chicago Tribune. He was cleared to scrimmage last month. Ball will also contend for a role with new addition Josh Giddey and Coby White, who broke out as the team's point guard last year. The Bulls play the Celtics three times between Nov. 29-Dec. 21.

Golden State: Klay Thompson returns to Golden State with the Mavericks for the NBA Cup group play matchup between Dallas and the Warriors on Nov. 12. They meet again in San Francisco on Feb. 23. The Warriors open the season on Oct. 23 in Portland. Talks that could've sent Lauri Markkanen to Golden State reportedly didn't come close, as The Athletic noted that Utah wanted every available first-round pick and swap from the Warriors. With Steph Curry eligible for an extension (1yr, $62.6M), the pressure now increases on Golden State to maintain a contender around him. 

Indiana: Will play in 14 national television games after entering last year with only one slated prior to their NBA Cup run and eventual east finals appearance. Their first East finals rematch with the Celtics takes place on Oct. 31 in Indianapolis. They play a mini-series in Boston between Dec. 27-29.

Clippers: The Intuit Dome opened this week with a Bruno Mars concert that also featured Clippers players, Lady Gaga and Anderson Paak. Steve Balmer watched from the crowd several months before his Clippers will open regular season basketball at the arena against the Suns. The Celtics visit them for the first time on Jan. 22. Snoop Dogg downplayed the crowds the Clippers will draw there, but Ballmer has sold it nonstop since its inception. 

Lakers: Michael Pina weighed in for the Ringer on how, after an Olympics where LeBron James often looked like Team USA's best player, the Lakers haven't put a team around him to maximize the last days of him playing at the highest level. James led the US in minutes, rebounds and assists, tying Anthony Edwards for most steals. James also shot 77.5% from two. Anthony Davis looks capable of carrying the torch, but he also found himself on the ancillary of the American game plan late in games. Michael Cooper will have his number retired by the Lakers as he prepares to enter the Hall of Fame on Oct. 13 alongside Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups. The Lakers will host the Timberwolves on opening night after Knicks-Celtics on Oct. 22.

Miami: Open against the Magic at home on Oct. 23. Most of their games against Boston come later in the season, setting up a battle of attrition to maintain their health and standing until that point to remain in contention. The Heat will inevitably rely on Bam Adebayo more as their primary offensive option due to Jimmy Butler's age, typical load management and uncertainty surrounding his future in Miami. Despite a strong offensive showing at the Olympics, a scout who spoke with Sports Illustrated questioned Adebayo's ability to carry an offense. The scout said it's less about Adebayo's ability and more his willingness to become a No. 1 option, calling him more of a Swiss army knife. New front court arrival Kel'el Ware, who could play next to Adebayo, and rookie Pelle Larsson, among others, are taking advantage of the Heat's gym in a de facto early training camp. Actual camp begins Oct. 1.

New York: Walt Frazier said this year's Knicks remind him of the last championship team in New York from Tom Thibodeau's coaching style down and said in a panel with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart that this could be the Knicks' year. The Celtics and Knicks meet on opening night as the first game of the 2024-25 NBA season before mostly facing later in the season (Feb. 8, Feb. 23, Apr. 8). All four games between the most likely top-two teams in the conference will be broadcast on national TV. The Knicks guaranteed Jericho Sims' deal as they navigate life after Isaiah Hartenstein. 

Orlando: Paolo Banchero appeared on First Take to build some hype toward the Magic's potential breakout 2025 season after they returned to the playoffs last spring and pushed the Cavs seven games. Orlando improved by 12 games and added further this summer, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. They open at the Heat, return home against the Nets and host the Celtics on Dec. 23. They have five national TV games, one at Boston on Jan. 17.

“We feel like we’re right there,” Banchero said. “We’re right there with all those (elite teams in the East). I remember last year, we started the year off as a top-two, top-three seed and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a play-in team and drop out the top of the East. We finished strong and got the fifth seed and had a chance to really grab the two seed at the end of the season. We were right there last year. We got better this year. I got better; all of us got better. We got some new pieces that are going to help a lot. We’re trying to make some noise. We should easily be a top-four, top-three team, and have a chance to win the East.”

Philadelphia: Nick Nurse spoke about the 76ers' offseason additions, expressing excitement about thew new possibilities that Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin, Reggie Jackson and Eric Gordon could provide alongside top signing Paul George and the Sixers' stars. The Celtics first play Philadelphia on Christmas before, like with the Knicks and Heat, they play most of their games against each other later into 2025 (Feb. 2, Feb. 20, Mar. 6).

Phoenix: Kevin Durant and the Suns will play the Spurs at the University of Texas in Austin, where San Antonio's G-League team is located, in a homecoming for Durant, who spent his lone college season at Texas. Phoenix opens the Intuit Dome with the Clippers on Oct. 23 before playing the Lakers across town two days later, the first visit by an opponent against the two LA teams since the Clippers left the former Staples Center. The Suns host the Celtics on Mar. 25 before traveling to Boston on Apr. 4. 

Portland: Became the fourth NBA team to part with its regional TV partner following their split with ROOT Sports. The Blazers are expected to come to an agreement with a local over-the-air channel in Portland later this month. The Jazz, Suns and Pelicans previously parted with cable as Portland reportedly plans a direct-to-consumer product. The trend places the viability of TV contracts between teams and partners. That'll make NBC Sports Boston's involvement in the Celtics sale an interesting aspect to watch, given that the team owns part of its television partner.

San Antonio: Victor Wembanyama and France lost to the US, the young star receiving a silver medal and emotionally explaining how that would drive him in the future both in the NBA and internationally. Wembanyama carried France, playing most of its minutes at center while averaging 15.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 SPG and 1.7 BPG on 42.2% shooting. Wembanyama, however, struggled from three (28.9%) and at the free throw line (63.6%). Like with Giannis Antetokounmpo before him among the giant, long superstars, Wembanyama's shooting still feels like his swing skill in becoming the best player in the world. He's already close. 

Toronto: Raptors Republic assessed the prospect that Davion Mitchell could become a point guard for the Raptors. His addition from the Kings after spending his first three seasons in Sacramento was one of this offseason's most underrated moves. Mitchell quietly shot 36.1% from three and posted a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio last year at 25. Toronto opens its season on Oct. 23 against the Cavs. 

Utah: Signed veteran Patty Mills to a veteran's minimum contract after his strong showing in the Olympics. Mills averaged 16.5 PPG and shot 40.9% from three in six games for Australia after playing limited minutes for the Hawks and Heat last year. He's entering his 13th NBA season at 36. The Jazz hope Mills can mentor one of the youngest teams in the league this season, Utah's third in its rebuild. Guard Keyonte George will remain a focal point. Multiple teams that were in the mix for Lauri Markkanen believed he was always going to stay with Utah via extension, making his availability a mirage.

Washington: Head coach Brian Keefe sees rookie Alex Sarr being a hub for the Wizards' offense despite a difficult Summer League. Keefe, 48, will oversee his development alongside prospects Bilal Coulibaly, who won silver with France, along with rookies Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George. The Celtics visit them for their first road game of the season on Oct. 24, Washington's season opener and those three player's debuts. 

"(Sarr's) got the ability to be a three-level scorer at some point. But one thing that has stood out to us is his ability to see the game and read the game. He’s a good passer, so we want the ball in his hands to explore those opportunities for him to make plays for himself and others," Keefe said.