NBA Notebook: What tools do the Celtics have to rebuild a contender?

The Celtics begin training camp in two weeks with perhaps their lowest expectations in one decade since opening the 2014-15 season following a lottery season. Boston surprised with mid-season additions and performances above expectations from certain contributors like Avery Bradley and Evan Turner. The Celtics went 40-42, enough for the seventh seed in a weaker east that hasn't improved much relative to the West since. 

That was a rebuilding team where the 2025 Celtics entered in a transition, reloading era. They accumulated fliers this summer, retained most of their young talent and reduced their payroll and tax hit by roughly $200 million. Beyond immediate savings, they aimed to create the flexibility to make moves that'll form the next contender around Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. As far as building around them as a duo in this new cap environment, mixed opinions exist over whether you can build a championship contender around two players making 35% of the salary cap as Brown and Tatum are, especially with the uncertain nature of recovering from an Achilles tear like Tatum will try to accomplish. 

"You can (build around two super max players) if those players are in the prime of their career," Bobby Marks told me. "And they're under 30 years old. I think it becomes more challenging when you add more of a seasoned player, like if it were Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, two players maybe toward the tail end of their career, and are not playing at a 35%, super max player, (or) one can be and one isn't, but you need both. You need both at that high level here. I do think it's still manageable to do it, but it just makes such a priority as far as putting those other complementary players around them." 

The Celtics have three paths toward doing that after losing Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kornet and Jrue Holiday this offseason: internal development, drafting and trades. Boston still, even after shedding so much money this summer, can't become a significant player in free agency, and as we'll discuss, there aren't many significant contributors who reach the open market anymore anyway. 

Let's start with the options for internal development: Neemias Queta will receive the largest opportunity to build on his first two years with the Celtics. He advanced from a two-way player who split time between Maine and Boston in 2024 into a spot starter early in the 2025 season. After finishing a strong EuroBasket campaign, he appeared capable of contributing close to double-double productivity should he improve his consistency on the defensive end. The Celtics signed him to a three-year deal following 2024, setting him up to make $2.3 million this year and $2.7 million in 2026-27. He'll be part of the picture for Tatum's comeback season even if he's not the starter as he likely will be in 2025-26. 

Baylor Scheierman is the best bet for another guard talent emerging this year, though his Summer League showed inconsistent shooting mechanics (27.4% FG, 20.5% 3PT), a risky approach on defense and definite strides as a playmaker (6.8 APG, 1.8 TOV). For him to leverage his talents as a passer, perhaps the strongest part of his game at this point, he'll need to become a threat to beat opponents off the dribble. The Celtics, in turn, will need to work with him on defense to hide him, rather than cutting his stints short when opponents target him. There's less unknown here than with other prospects on the roster since he finished last regular season as an every day contributor outside of the highest-stakes games, averaging 6.1 points, shooting 37.3% from three and posting 21 assists with 11 turnovers over Boston's final 15 games, only sitting out one in New York. He's signed for three more seasons at $3.4 million average annual value. 

For Jordan Walsh ($200K guaranteed until opening night, 2yrs, $4.6M), this year could present a last opportunity to show he's part of their long-term plans ahead of a 2026-27 team option. Veteran Chris Boucher and 23-year-old Josh Minott join the team, where they likely would've received guaranteed minutes. With Boucher likely playing on a one-year deal as a bridge to his next contract, Minott signed a team-friend two year deal and flashed many of the defensive tools and uses of his athleticism on offense that Boston hoped Walsh would, though he averaged 15.0 PPG and shot 38.9% from three in a solid, in-control Summer League that also included an odd ejection in front of Brad Stevens. 

Then, between Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams and Max Shulga, Boston's 2025 draft class, the Celtics will hope for anything in the long term. They're more likely to start the season in Maine than Boston, but could receive opportunities in the second half or in case of injury. Luka Garza is the swing player between NBA and G-League status who could benefit from more consistent opportunities at the next level. The Celtics have reportedly long liked Garza and signed him to a two-year, $5.3 million deal that's fully guaranteed. 

"When you're walking into a situation where it seems like there's a lot of opportunity, that's something that's extremely exciting to me," Garza said last month. "For me, it feels like a moment where not only the work this summer, but the work that I've been doing my whole life and especially since I got to the league has prepared me for what's to come ... I've had so many great mentors, so many great vets. Even guys like Kelly Olynyk, who played here, was someone who was very important in my growth ... especially Nickeil (Alexander-Walker) and Naz (Reid), they just gave me a blueprint that I saw in front of me. Naz was with me when I first got there, and we'd just done the Rudy trade. The first couple games of the year, he was sitting next to me getting DNPs, and everybody knows what happened after that. That'll never happen to him again and that's my goal." 

That places Scheierman, Queta and Garza as the most likely players to emerge as contributors when Tatum returns. Beyond that, the Celtics will need to draft well regardless of whether they slide into the lottery and pick high for the first time in Stevens era, or need to navigate the middle of the draft board. Financial limitations didn't allow them to fully explore the latter, trading back in the second round so they could recover future second-rounders and take a pair of two-way players after committing guaranteed money in the first to Gonzalez. They need to nail the 2026 draft, because they'll almost certainly return to the middle of the first round in 2027 before their picks can be conveyed to San Antonio and Portland in 2028 and 2029. Adding a bona fide starter alongside Brown and Tatum on a cost-controlled rookie contract is the most sure-fire way for the Celtics to regain relevancy. Tank at your own risk, though. If Boston finishes among the worst teams in the NBA in 2025-26, they probably didn't accomplish significant internal improvement. 

If neither of those happen, the Brown and Derrick White trade debate will probably return in an effort to find quality young players, draft picks between 2028-29, and breaking up two of the bigger salaries on the roster into greater depth. That could also become the case if the Celtics struggle to find reliable play at center. Before that, Boston could explore using its other trade assets, namely Anfernee Simons (1yr, $27.7M), a salary the Celtics probably won't want to see simply expire even if they need to shave it down closer to $20-million. They could also explore retaining Simons long-term at a more team-friendly number. Trade exceptions ($22.5M for Porziņģis, $4-5M each for Springer and Holiday), probably won't prove as useful for a team trying to shed salary, though their flexibility to use them would increase if they remain far below the first apron line next summer. 

The Celtics did create some flexibility in free agency next summer. Since they're currently $29 million below the first apron for 2026-27 between 10 players, they can realistically use the full mid-level exception for the first time since signing Tristan Thompson in 2020-21, which will be worth roughly $15.1 million next offseason. This offseason, that proved more than enough to sign Luke Kennard, Brook Lopez, Caris LeVert, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ty Jerome, Tyus Jones and Luke Kornet, all strong rotation players. Though no free agents much better than them reached the open market this summer, and that's expected to happen again in 2026. The top free agents in next year's class include Trae Young, CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Kristaps Porziņģis, Isaiah Hartenstein, John Collins, Tobias Harris, Nikola Vučević, Norman Powell, Jusuf Nurkić, Mitchell Robinson and Austin Reaves, among others. Those are players largely outside of Boston's price range or that don't make sense on the Celtics roster. 

Of course, some combination of using picks, exceptions and aggregating salaries, which the Celtics can now do below the second apron, can allow for creativity. That'll be mandatory, whichever route takes the Celtics back to championship contention. 

"We'll do our best to put the right group together, and at the same time, regain some flexibility and maximize asset return," Stevens said early this offseason. "But I do think we've got a good group, and we've got the foundation, obviously, with Jaylen and Jayson and D-White and Payton and all those guys that a lot of teams would love to have.”

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

Atlanta: Signed free agent center Charles Bassey to an Exhibit 10, training camp contract to potentially join the team's big man mix alongside Onyeka Okongwu, Kristaps Porziņģis and Mo Gueye. Bassey played for the Celtics in Summer League as a last-minute roster addition and thrived, averaging 15.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG and 2.0 BPG on 70.4% shooting. Boston opted to leave its final roster spot open, carrying Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., Luka Garza, Chris Boucher and Amari Williams as its center mix into next season. Bassey, 24, dealt with a fractured patella and torn ACL in his left knee in 2023 with the Spurs after beginning his career with the 76ers. He appeared in only 19 games in 2024, then 36 in 2025. He was not two-way eligible entering his fifth NBA season. Atlanta has one standard roster spot available and has filled 20 out of 21 available camp spots. 

Boston: Jaylen Brown didn't rule out playing for his native Atlanta one day when asked if he'd consider it, even noting in a radio interview there that his grandma would want to see him with the Hawks. Former Celtics center Jason Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. Collins played for the Celtics in 2012-13 before becoming the first player from one of the four major North American sports to come out as openly gay later that season with the Wizards. Collins, 46, retired in 2014 after 13 NBA seasons. The Celtics begin training camp with media day two weeks from Monday on Sept. 29. Luka Garza, who hoped to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in EuroBasket, has an appeal out for clearance from FIBA that could make him eligible for the 2027 World Cup. Bosnia lost in the first round of group play to Poland in EuroBasket. 

Chicago: Re-signed restricted free agent Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100 million deal that met in the middle of the $20 average annual value the Bulls wanted to pay and the $30 million AAV that Giddey reportedly requested. The deal contains no player or team options and is fully guaranteed. It marked the culmination of a difficult year for Giddey, who faced playoff struggles with the Thunder in his final year there, a trade to Chicago and investigations into off-court allegations that overshadowed his 2023-24 season. With the Bulls, he averaged 14.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 7.2 APG on 46.5% shooting, improving his three-point efficiency to 37.8%. While playing through a muscle tear in his shooting hand, he led Chicago to wins in 15 of their final 20 games, including one of the great shots of the 2025 season. Giddey's deal casts some uncertainty over Coby White's future entering a contract year. 

Dallas: Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki joined their top pick Cooper Flagg at a tennis charity event over the weekend and announced that he's buying the Flagg hype before the rookie tries to meet high hopes in his first season. Flagg impressed Nowitzki, admittedly not a big college basketball consumer, with his ability to read the game. Nowitzki joins former Celtic Blake Griffin as the primary analysts on Prime's NBA coverage, which begins this season. Meanwhile, former Mavs governor Mark Cuban continued to defend the Clippers and Steve Ballmer through their controversy regarding possible cap circumvention, painting the Leonard deal as rogue activity by the company's management.

Denver: Added Jared Dudley, JJ Barea and Mike Moser, among others, to David Adelman's staff as the Nuggets head coach begins his first full season in the position. Moser, a former Celtics assistant under Ime Udoka and Joe Mazzulla, worked out with and guarded Jayson Tatum throughout his time in Boston. He rejoined Udoka in Houston over the past two seasons with the Rockets. 

Detroit: Malik Beasley was spotted with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren in Italy with the Pistons among the teams most likely to sign Beasley once his outlook becomes clear following an investigation into alleged gambling activity. Jake Fischer reported that the NBA's investigation into Beasley is ongoing, which could lead to potential discipline, despite him reportedly no longer being the target of a federal investigation. Adam Silver said they'll see when asked this week whether Beasley will be eligible for 2025-26. 

"I'll only say that the investigation is ongoing," Silver said. "As I understand it, there's still a federal investigation that's ongoing of Malik Beasley as well. We will address whatever is presented to us in his case."

Golden State: Jonathan Kuminga remains a restricted free agent with two weeks left until training camp. As Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II also await clarity on their future, we discussed Golden State's 2025 outlook and similarities between the 2025 Celtics and where the Warriors stood in 2019-20 following Kevin Durant's departure. There's an expectation that Kuminga and the Warriors could find movement toward a deal in the next week. He has until Oct. 1 to accept the one-year, $8 million qualifying offer. 

Houston: Ime Udoka echoed reported sentiments from Kevin Durant about wanting to fit in with what the Rockets already created over the past two seasons, building around their young players. That appears all the more important with Alperen Şengün on the verge of a European championship and MVP award for the tournament, averaging 20.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.1 SPG and 0.9 BPG on 56% shooting (35.3% 3PT). He led Turkey with 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to a blowout win over Greece in the EuroBasket semifinal. Former Celtic Shane Larkin is also in position to win the championship after receiving Turkish citizenship in 2020. He's played for Anadolu Efes in Istanbul since departing Boston in 2018. Larkin's averaging 11.4 PPG in 31.2 MPG in the tournament. Udoka said he's not sure who'll start with Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant and Şengün yet, despite positive strides from Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets leaned into pairing Şengün and Steven Adams together as often as possible into the playoffs. 

"We’ll take a look at everything," Udoka said. "We feel we have incredible depth this year and a lot of versatility, so we could go a number of different ways, as far as that. I think some of that will be proven in training camp." 

Clippers: Adam Silver addressed the Pablo Torre reporting that uncovered potential cap circumvention by the Clippers regarding an endorsement deal Kawhi Leonard signed with the team's partner Aspiration, which eventually went bankrupt and fell under federal investigation. While co-founder Joe Sanberg pleaded guilty to federal charges, his former partner Andrei Cherny, who left the company in 2022, denied the notion that Leonard signed a no-show contract to simply make more money than the cap allowed. Cherny said Leonard had three pages of obligations, though Torre revealed statements from multiple former employees who said they did not assess or approve the Leonard deal. On top of that, Torre reported that Clippers co-owner Dennis Wong made a $1.99 million investment in the company as it failed around the time Leonard received an overdue $1.75 million payment. Additional reporting also increased the scope of Steve Ballmer's investments in Aspiration. Silver said the NBA will have to prove that the Clippers circumvented the cap, not vice versa, despite acknowledging that he has broad powers to punish for even circumstantial evidence. He shied away from punishing LA for even the appearance of wrongdoing. The outside law firm investigation into the Clippers' activities is expected to take several months. 

Lakers: Luka Dončić averaged 34.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 7.1 APG on 45.8% shooting (32.1% 3PT) before Slovenia's EuroBasket run ended with a loss to Germany, where he scored 39 points on 11-for-25 shooting. After receiving a long-term commitment from Dončić this offseason, the Lakers plan to be aggressive in building around him in coming seasons. 

Milwaukee: Greece lost to Turkey in the EuroBasket semifinals despite 12 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks from Giannis Antetokounmpo in his longest run with the Greek national team. They'll play for bronze against Finland on Sunday with Antetokounmpo averaging 26.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG and 3.8 APG on 67% shooting in the tournament. Most impressively, he shot 11-for-16 at the free throw line to lead Greece past Lithuania in the quarterfinals. He's shooting 62.5% there in total. 

Minnesota: There's still a point guard question here as the Timberwolves enter training camp with aging Mike Conley and unproven Rob Dillingham at the position. The Athletic expects that the Wolves won't hesitate to pull off a trade before the deadline for help at the position if necessary and the team is poised to make an extended run. Mark Cuban isn't a fan of how Anthony Edwards shoots free throws. 

New York: Signed free agent Malcolm Brogdon to a non-guaranteed contract following injury-riddled stints with the Blazers and Wizards following his departure from Boston in 2023. Brogdon, 33 this season, is expected to make the Knicks roster, though it's a matter of making everything around him work. The Knicks also brought back Landry Shamet, who's expected to directly compete with Brogdon for bench minutes after a successful stint with New York last year. The Knicks could keep both if they part with someone else to retain flexibility beneath the second apron. One possibility is moving on from 2024 first-round pick Pacôme Dadiet. New York also signed Garrison Mathews, who last played with the Hawks, on a training camp deal. The Knicks have a two-way slot open and have interest in big man Trey Jemison. Chris Jent, Brendan O’Connor and Rick Brunson will coach alongside new head coach Mike Brown this season. 

Orlando: Franz Wagner, Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis will look to add a EuroBasket title for Germany alongside the team's World Cup with this group that's emerged as the best in the country's history. Wagner, coming off his strong performance for the Magic in the first round of the NBA Playoffs against Boston, averaged 21.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 3.6 APG on 45.5% shooting to start the EuroBasket tournament, though his 31.1% mark from three will continue to be the biggest factor to watch in how far he can progress his career. 

Sacramento: Dennis Schröder is different in international play. On the verge of a EuroBasket title to place alongside his World Cup with Germany from 2023, he's averaging 20.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 6.5 APG on 46.3% shooting entering Sunday's championship game. He scored 26 points for the second time in the tournament with 12 assists in Germany's semifinal win over Finland. Germany and Turkey meet at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Kings waived Terence Davis this week. Sacramento is no longer engaged in Malik Monk talks. 

San Antonio: Victor Wembanyama wants to bring a European soccer vibe to the Spurs' fan section as the team hosted tryouts for such a plan on Sunday. They want to see nonstop chants, drums, flags and passion from the supporter section group once it forms. Members will attend 31 home games for $999 and see a revamped team around Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox and rookie Dylan Harper. The idea follows the Clippers creating a similar group sitting on The Wall at Intuit Dome, whcih had a tangible impact on opponent free throw shooting. 

Toronto: Sportsnet revealed more information about Kawhi Leonard representative, Dennis Robertso,n making requests not allowed under the CBA to the Raptors in 2019 before departing to the Clippers, who are now engulfed in cap circumvention allegations surrounding the Leonard signing. He joined LA for three years, $104 million, rather than signing Toronto's five-year, $190 million offer, another factor that could receive consideration in the NBA's outside investigation into the Clippers' conduct. Leonard reportedly wanted a similar no-show endorsement deal with the Raptors, ownership stake in the Maple Leafs and roster moves to keep Toronto in championship contention. 

“Uncle Dennis was always knocking on doors and asking for stuff,” a source said. “He wasn’t shy and would try to talk to everyone. But no one was really taking him seriously. It almost seemed like a joke.”

Utah: Georges Niang planned to play for the Senegalese national team before trades from the Hawks to the Celtics, then Boston to the Jazz disrupted his summer. It would've marked the first time that he played for his father's native country. Lauri Markkanen, who led Finland through EuroBasket before falling to Germany in the semifinals last week, will play for bronze against Greece in the furthest run ever for the country through the tournament. He averaged 23.6 PPG and 7.9 RPG on 42.8% shooting (29.1% 3PT). 

Washington: Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery on his right thumb to address a ligament tear that'll sideline him to begin the 2025-26 season. He suffered the injury playing for France in EuroBasket, where he averaged 6.3 PPG and 4.3 RPG. The intriguing Wizards prospect averaged 12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 4.3 APG before going down for the season in March with a hamstring ailment. His rookie season ended early with a wrist fracture after 63 games, the most he's played between his first two NBA seasons. Washington will likely roll with Bub Carrington, top pick Tre Johnson, CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton and Alex Sarr for the bulk of their minutes.