The Boston Celtics are no strangers to dramatic offseasons, but the summer of 2025 has been nothing short of a whirlwind for the storied franchise. From blockbuster trades and injury setbacks to roster shake-ups and international ambitions dashed, Boston’s front office—helmed by president of basketball operations Brad Stevens—has been at the epicenter of NBA headlines. With training camp on the horizon, the Celtics’ roster and future remain in flux, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering: what’s next for the green and white?
The most significant move came on July 7, 2025, when the Celtics traded defensive stalwart Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for scoring guard Anfernee Simons. Simons, 26, arrives in Boston with a reputation as a dynamic offensive threat. He averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 70 games last season, shooting 42.6% from the field, 36.3% from three, and a stellar 90.2% from the free-throw line. His career numbers—15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game—suggest a player entering his prime, ready to shoulder a bigger load.
Yet, Simons’ future in Boston is already shrouded in uncertainty. Just weeks after his arrival, reports emerged on August 25 that the Celtics are actively shopping the $100 million guard. According to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets have expressed interest in acquiring Simons, with the Milwaukee Bucks also reportedly preparing a run at him before training camp. The Bucks, in particular, are eyeing Simons as a potential backcourt partner for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the prospect of sending a high-octane scorer to an Eastern Conference rival has complicated negotiations. As Amico noted, “Sources said the Bucks could be another team that will make a run at Simons before training camp.”
Despite his scoring prowess, Simons has yet to have an introductory press conference with the Celtics, fueling speculation about his long-term fit. While the front office weighs its options, head coach and players remain focused on the task at hand: competing in a suddenly wide-open Eastern Conference.
One player unfazed by the uncertainty is Payton Pritchard, the 27-year-old guard who enjoyed a breakout campaign last season. Pritchard appeared in 80 games for Boston, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game. His shooting splits—47.2% from the field, 40.7% from beyond the arc, and 84.5% from the line—underscored his efficiency, and his efforts earned him the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award. Drafted 26th overall in 2020, the Oregon native has steadily grown into a reliable contributor.
Asked about the looming competition for the starting point guard spot between himself and Simons, Pritchard displayed his trademark team-first mentality. “It doesn’t matter to me,” he told Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog. “A lot of things can change in a year – you can start a couple of games, you cannot. For me, it’s about controlling what I can control – and that’s coming into games and changing the game, and being an unbelievable player and helping my team win. So that’s the only thing I’m focused on, ever. It’s not about accolades, it’s not about starting or anything like that. It’s about: how can I become the best player possible?”
The Celtics’ offseason has seen even more upheaval. After falling to the New York Knicks in six games during the second round of the 2025 playoffs, Boston was dealt a devastating blow when franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. Tatum is expected to miss the entire 2025-2026 season, a loss that will test the Celtics’ depth and resolve.
Brad Stevens has responded with a flurry of moves aimed at retooling the roster. In addition to the Simons trade, Stevens shipped Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks for Georges Niang, only to flip Niang to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr. The Celtics also signed Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, and Josh Minott, adding size and versatility to a roster in transition.
Niang’s offseason journey, in particular, has been a saga unto itself. The 32-year-old forward was preparing to represent Senegal at the AfroBasket tournament after securing a Senegalese passport, but his plans were derailed by a series of trades. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, “League sources say that Senegal nearly had Georges Niang on its roster for the tournament now that Niang has secured a Senegalese passport, but he was ultimately unavailable to play international ball this summer after being traded twice.” Initially moved from Boston to Atlanta in the Porziņģis deal, Niang was then reacquired by Utah, making his international debut impossible this summer.
The Celtics’ roster churn has also impacted younger players. Miles Norris, a 25-year-old forward, was waived less than two weeks ago to clear a path for center Amari Williams. Norris, who joined Boston last season on a two-way deal, appeared in just three games, averaging 2.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per contest while shooting 28.6% from deep. After a Summer League run where he put up 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game but struggled with his shot, Norris is set to play for Barcelona this season. His move overseas could be a springboard for another NBA opportunity down the line.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have filled their two-way contract slots with promising prospects. RJ Luis Jr., acquired in the Niang trade, arrives as a former Big East Player of the Year and Second-Team All-American. Max Shulga, the 57th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and former Atlantic-10 Player of the Year, joins on a two-way deal, as does Amari Williams, selected 46th overall. These additions signal a commitment to youth development amid the uncertainty surrounding the main roster.
With so much change, the Celtics’ outlook for the upcoming season remains clouded. The absence of Tatum, the ongoing trade rumors around Simons, and a host of new faces mean the team’s identity is still taking shape. Yet, in classic Boston fashion, there’s no shortage of grit or ambition. As the Eastern Conference landscape shifts, the Celtics are positioning themselves for both immediate competition and long-term growth—whatever surprises may come next.
As the NBA calendar inches closer to training camp, all eyes will be on Boston’s next move. Will Simons remain in green, or will another contender swoop in? Can Pritchard build on his breakout year? And how will the new additions mesh in a locker room that’s seen so much turnover? For now, the Celtics’ story is one of transition, opportunity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—even in the face of adversity.
