The Boston Celtics starting lineup will look very different next season as they try to make do without Jayson Tatum.
Going into the 2025-26 season, the Boston Celtics will be significantly weaker. The Celtics lost Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury in the playoffs, with the forward now being out for a whole year.
Realizing that their championship window with this roster was closing, they decided to make some moves. The first big step was the Celtics trading Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers.
But getting rid of Holiday wasn’t enough to alleviate their financial woes. The Celtics also traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks.
In these trades, the Celtics received some new players to add to their lineup. While they’re no longer title contenders, they could make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images2025-26 Boston Celtics projected starting lineup
Since the Boston Celtics have made so many moves this offseason, they will have a much different starting lineup heading into the new season.
The Celtics’ projected starting lineup and depth chart look like this:
Starting LineupSecond UnitPayton PritchardAnfernee SimonsDerrick WhiteJordan WalshJaylen BrownHugo GonzalesChris BoucherSam HauserNeemias QuetaLuka Garza
It was reported that the Celtics would start Payton Pritchard at point guard, and bring Anfernee Simons off the bench.
The rest of the players, much like Pritchard, are stalwarts who have earned their place in the starting lineup from their seniority.
Jaylen Brown must be the new leader during rebound season
As the Boston Celtics use the 2025-26 NBA season to recalibrate and set things right before competing in 2026-27, Jaylen Brown’s role will grow massively on the team.
Brown has spoken about the previous Celtics’ frustration he felt about his role. Now, as a leader, Brown will get the top-dog role he has long sought.
But NBA analysts believe Brown can’t lead the Celtics past the play-in tournament, as he isn’t at the level of Jayson Tatum.
Given that Brown won Finals MVP in the NBA Finals and Eastern Conference Finals last year, he will feel hard-pressed about being underestimated.
While they’re no longer championship contenders, don’t be surprised if the Boston Celtics end up earning a top-6 seed in the East next season.