The Boston Celtics, fresh off a significant offseason that saw Paul George replace Jaylen Brown, are entering the 2026-2027 season with intriguing questions surrounding their starting five and overall rotation. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens expressed satisfaction with the current roster on July 6th, stating, “I don’t anticipate anything in the very near term. I think that we do like the team we have, we might be able to add to it, but at the end of the day, we like the group we have.” Beyond the established presences of Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, head coach Joe Mazzulla faces critical decisions regarding Payton Pritchard's role, George's playing time, and the starting center position, particularly with the recent acquisitions of Mike Conley Jr. and Mitchell Robinson.
The Celtics made substantial financial commitments to their frontcourt, signing Mitchell Robinson and extending Neemias Queta for four years and $56 million. The front office also added Mike Conley Jr. to shore up their ball handling in the second unit. Payton Pritchard is also on a multi-year deal, coming off a campaign where he started 50 games in the regular season. Paul George played 41 and 37 games in consecutive seasons in Philadelphia before joining Boston.
The most compelling basketball question lies in how Mazzulla integrates Paul George. While conventional wisdom suggests a starting role, the "Al Horford Plan" for the 36-year-old George makes considerable sense. Limiting George to around 60 games and holding him out of back-to-backs could preserve his effectiveness for a deep playoff run. This strategy would allow for a more fluid wing rotation and potentially elevate Payton Pritchard to a permanent starting guard spot, capitalizing on his increased efficiency and production when given extended minutes last season.
Furthermore, starting Mitchell Robinson at center over Queta seems like the logical choice. Robinson’s rim protection and offensive rebounding are elite, and his non-shooting offensive game pairs well with Boston's existing offensive firepower, allowing Queta and Luka Garza to provide energy and interior presence off the bench. Neemias Queta proved to be a quality starter in the league, even after a rocky performance against Joel Embiid in Boston’s first round exit. The Celtics rewarded him with a four-year, $56 million contract.
The Celtics' roster moves, particularly in the frontcourt, signal a clear intent to address their interior defense and rebounding, areas that were exposed in their first-round exit last season against Joel Embiid. The decision to sign both Robinson and extend Queta demonstrates a commitment to depth and versatility at the five. The acquisition of Mike Conley Jr. further shores up ball-handling in the second unit, a consistent organizational priority.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will use Summer League and training camp in September to finalize their rotation. The immediate decision point will be George's role and the starting center. If George embraces a sixth-man role, similar to Horford's late-career adjustments, it could optimize his impact and longevity. The center battle between Robinson and Queta will likely be a focal point of camp, with Mazzulla needing to determine how to best leverage their distinct skill sets. These decisions will set the tone for a team projected to win 50-plus games and contend at the top of the Eastern Conference.
