The Boston Celtics are set to kick off their preseason games in Abu Dhabi on Friday, focusing on evaluating their roster depth rather than playing their starters for extended minutes. With Al Horford taking on a significant role at 38 years old and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown coming off long playoff runs, along with Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, the emphasis will shift to assessing the players further down the roster.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted the importance of observing the younger players, stating that their practice habits and situational understanding are crucial. The team recently engaged in effective drills, suggesting that the younger players are making valuable contributions, competing well, and executing their system on both offense and defense.
Rookies Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson will make their preseason debuts, while Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet aim to replicate the success of the bench in previous seasons. Lonnie Walker IV is hopeful to secure a spot on the final roster, while Neemias Queta is looking to showcase his capability as part of the center rotation during Kristaps Porzingis’s absence. J.D. Davison, following a strong Summer League performance and two years in the G-League, needs to demonstrate his value in the NBA.
Brad Stevens expressed the team’s commitment to balancing immediate competitiveness with the development of younger talent. This approach marks a shift in priority compared to earlier in his presidency, as the Celtics look to cultivate young players while maintaining their winning trajectory.
While the Celtics aim for success now, they are also mindful of the future, as evidenced by their recent draft choices, trades, and contracts aimed at yielding sustained performance throughout a long season. In contrast to other big spenders like Minnesota, who are integrating youth while remaining competitive, the Celtics are focused on both immediate and long-term strategies.
As Boston navigates this transitional period, they are aware of the potential consequences of their recent aggressive decisions on roster management. The continued presence of Brown and Tatum is expected to sustain some level of success, but maintaining a strong supporting cast will be essential as veteran players eventually leave.
In the coming years, free-agent departures are likely to influence the team’s roster composition, with players like Porzingis potentially leaving after 2026, and the possibility of trading higher-cost players such as Holiday to manage expenses. The Celtics must utilize the preseason effectively to position emerging players for success in the regular season, despite the challenges of competing for wins.
Stevens has indicated a prioritization of rest for players, emphasizing the need to ramp up for the playoffs while also managing player workloads this season. With both Horford and Porzingis set to miss several early games, the team can afford to limit the playing time of its veteran perimeter players compared to last year’s intense title chase.
Brown playfully suggested that when the Celtics face the Detroit Pistons, Pritchard could score 30 points and Hauser could attempt 10 three-pointers, underscoring the depth of the team. Pritchard acknowledged the compliment, emphasizing the readiness of the entire roster to step up in the event of injuries or other challenges.