The Boston Celtics’ core as we know it has been shaken up recently.
Following the second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, the Celtics were looking at an overly expensive team.
And so began the teardown of the 2024 championship team. This started with them trading Jrue Holiday for Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
A day later, they would trade center Kristaps Porzingis in a three-way deal that netted them Georges Niang and a second-round pick in return.
While both of these players were integral to the Celtics’ championship, they both had large contracts that needed to be dumped for the Celtics to stay under the NBA’s infamous second apron.
At the time of this article, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are still on the team. If no additional signings/trades are made before the fall, a starting five next season would likely consist of Simons, White, Brown, Niang and new free agent Luka Garza.
While this lineup doesn’t scream contender, it is a team that is more than capable of winning plenty of games next year.
Part of the reason this team could still contend in 2026 is due to how open the Eastern Conference is. Let’s take a look at how the field looks with the initial free agency wave out of the way.
Teams with little hope
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers look to take a dip next season following the recent injury to Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Haliburton is Indiana’s unquestioned leader on the court, and without him, the Pacers were 4-5 in the regular season.
The team does have impactful role players who helped in their NBA Finals duel with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith and playoff hero T.J. McConnell.
However, those players don’t have Haliburton’s superstar-level ability. Although they will still be a strong team next year, they will likely not be the contenders they were this past season.
Milwaukee Bucks
Though the Milwaukee Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo, their recent moves don’t scream “contender.” They recently waived star point guard Damian Lillard, who also tore his Achilles in the playoffs, and signed Pacers center Myles Turner to a large contract.
A core of Turner, Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis doesn’t seem like enough around Antetokounmpo to help them compete next season. Whether they do or do not trade their superstar power forward, the Bucks have an uphill battle next season.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons were a surprising team last season, winning 44 games and earning the East’s No. 6 seed. They built a strong core around star point guard Cade Cunningham, including young pieces like Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson and proven veterans like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr.
They are a team on the rise, but their core players lack true playoff experience, meaning they likely won’t be competing for a Larry O’Brien Trophy next spring.
Other
The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors have proven to be playoff-caliber teams in the past, but likely don’t have the roster to compete even with the slew of long-term injuries.
Could possibly compete
Orlando Magic
The Magic were bounced in the first round by the Boston Celtics, as their shooting woes and lack of a true third star really hurt them in a series against what was a very established Celtics roster.
Star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have bright futures ahead of them and played well in their playoff series. Alongside newly acquired guard Desmond Bane, the Magic now have a “big three” and should contend in the depleted Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers had quite an underwhelming year.
After signing former Clipper Paul George, the team thought they could contend behind their new big three of Tyrese Maxey, George, and former league MVP Joel Embiid. The latter has been the 76ers’ best player for nearly a decade but struggled with injury and load management this past season, playing in only 19 games before being shut down for the season.
After a rough first season in Philadelphia for George and injury-plagued seasons for Maxey and exciting young guard Jared McCain, the 76ers are looking to get healthy. If they are able to, they have an exciting core — which includes the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, V.J. Edgecombe — and the ability to compete next season.
Definite Contenders
New York Knicks
The Knicks just beat the Celtics in the playoffs and are going to be surefire contenders next season. They were not hit with the injury bug, and their core of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns will have another year to build chemistry.
They have also signed Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele so far in free agency, and now have a new and proven head coach in Mike Brown.
Sometimes, it is as simple as that.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The last team that will surely compete is the Cavaliers. On the back of finishing as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Pacers in the second round, the Cavs are still a young team with a lot of potential. They were hit with an untimely injury bug during the postseason that contributed to their demise.
Their core of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley make impact plays on both sides of the ball.
Lonzo Ball and Tyrese Proctor have replaced Ty Jerome and Isaac Okoro, and the Cavs will be reared and ready to pick up where they left off.
Conclusion
While the Celtics won’t be a top contender next season, they slide perfectly into the “could possibly compete” category. Their roster is still strong enough, even without Tatum, to win north of 40 games. In a conference that looks to be unpredictable next season, 40 wins may be all it takes to make the playoffs and fight for their shot for another championship.
