![\"Boston](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-1398474681-e1773344610407.jpg\")
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Boston Celtics’ Brad Stevens prior to a game against the Miami Heat in May 2022<\/p>\n
Much of the attention surrounding the Boston Celtics<\/a> has understandably focused on the NBA roster following the departure of 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown<\/a>, with the franchise entering a new era led by Jayson Tatum<\/a> and Paul George<\/a>.<\/p>\n Behind the scenes, however, Boston has also been making moves to strengthen its developmental pipeline ahead of the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n On October 1, the organization announced<\/a> that Phil Pressey<\/a> will return for a second season as head coach of G League affiliate Maine.<\/p>\n Remarkably, Pressey becomes the first Maine Celtics head coach to return for a second season in seven years.<\/p>\n Boston Celtics Maintain Rare Coaching Continuity in Maine<\/p>\n Pressey guided Maine to a 27-23 overall record during his first season in charge, with the Celtics reaching the G League playoffs for a fourth consecutive campaign.<\/p>\n Maine finished the regular season at 18-18, securing the seventh seed before falling 123-107 to the No. 2-seeded Salt Lake City Stars in the opening round of the postseason.<\/p>\n The Celtics enjoyed greater success during the Tip-Off Tournament earlier in the campaign, posting a 9-5 record.<\/p>\n That run helped Maine become one of only six G League teams to qualify for both the league\u2019s in-season tournament and the traditional G League Playoffs last season.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m grateful for another opportunity to lead the Maine Celtics,\u201d Pressey said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is for everyone who comes through the Expo to leave better than when they got here. Going into my second season, I\u2019m excited to give all I can to the community and the Celtics organization.\u201d<\/p>\n Maine has also finalized the remainder of Pressey\u2019s coaching staff for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n Assistant coach Mike Malat returns for his second campaign with the organization, while Boaz Mensah is also back as player development lead and assistant coach.<\/p>\n Devin Sweetney joins Malat and Mensah as an assistant coach. Fellow newcomers Jacob Kester and Rich Kelly will serve as video coordinators and player development coaches.<\/p>\n Pressey Returns to Lead New-Look Maine Celtics Roster<\/p>\n Pressey\u2019s return had appeared increasingly likely after he teased a second season in Maine on Instagram<\/a> back in August.<\/p>\n The 35-year-old shared a collection of photos from his first campaign as head coach alongside the caption, \u201cYear 2 loading\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n He also wrote, \u201cBigger goals. Bigger moments. Same mission. Maine will officially begin its 2026-27 campaign on November 6 against the Westchester Knicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before the season gets underway, the organization has continued reshaping the roster Pressey will have at his disposal.<\/p>\n Returning two-way big man Amari Williams<\/a> is expected to feature prominently, while rookie Dillon Mitchell<\/a> provides another intriguing developmental piece after also signing a two-way contract<\/a> with Boston.<\/p>\n The latest roster move arrived on September 29 through a trade<\/a> with the Chicago Bulls<\/a>\u2018 G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.<\/p>\n Maine sent the returning player rights to forward Jalen Bridges<\/a> and guard Tyrell Roberts to Windy City while acquiring the rights to center Ibou Badji<\/a>, forward Tyler Polley<\/a>, and guard Erik Reynolds II.<\/p>\n The Celtics also acquired a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA<\/a> G League Draft as part of the transaction.<\/p>\n With Pressey and several members of his staff returning, Boston has maintained some valuable continuity while reshaping the talent around them.<\/p>\n For a Boston Celtics organization that continues to place considerable value on internal development, Pressey\u2019s second season provides yet another opportunity to turn Maine into a reliable pathway toward the NBA roster.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMatt Evans<\/a> is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \t
Year One: COMPLETE.\u201d<\/p>\n