The Boston Celtics will enter this season without Jayson Tatum.

Jayson Tatum remains sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon, but he has been making great progress since having surgery.

However, it’s unclear if Tatum will be back at any point during the Boston Celtics‘ 2025-26 season.

With Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown should step up and have a big year. Brown has seen his scoring average jump up when Tatum is out.

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden.Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty ImagesJaylen Brown shares high praise for Josh Minott

The Celtics went through a big transformation this summer and as a result they are no longer considered title contenders.

This season is considered a gap year with Tatum out, so Boston could give extended minutes to players who weren’t in the rotation last season.

Boston signed 22-year-old forward Josh Minott to a two-year deal worth $5 million this past summer and he could be a younger player who gets a chance to shine this season.

Brown spoke about Minott’s game and said he’s a player the Celtics could have used in the past.

“He’s a long, athletic wing. Something that we could’ve used over the past years or so.

“Somebody high-energy, super athletic. We need that. That defensive pressure, intensity.

“And he’s been showing that he can knock down a shot and he can take a guy off the bounce, as well.

“He’s been great all training camp. He’s been great all preseason. We’re going to need him to be great all season long.”

View Tweet

Josh Minott’s NBA career stats

Minott was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft. 

He was immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night. 

After playing for the Timberwolves for three seasons, he signed with the Celtics in July.

For his career, Minott has averaged 2.3 points in 93 regular-season games. Perhaps Boston is a spot, where he can come into his own as a player.