The Celtics open up training camp on Sept. 29 and the season begins on Oct. 20.
After going 56-26 and losing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs last season, it's been a tumultuous offseason for the Boston Celtics.
The C's traded away 10-year veteran Jaylen Brown in a stunning move to the Philadelphia 76ers, signed Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr. and brought in Paul George.
While I'm generally more down on the Celtics than some others, I still think the Celtics are a playoff team and I think they have a chance to win a series in the playoffs.
We are just about three weeks away from the start of training camp, and under one month until the start of preseason (Oct. 8), so let's take a look at some way-too early predictions for Joe Mazzulla's team.
1) The Celtics will lead the league in 3-pointers attempted
The one thing I really wanted this offseason was for the Celtics to get more balanced, and I just don't think they did it.
Robinson and Neemias Queta are both excellent rebounders, but it feels like their rebounding strengths will be used to kick back out to the three-point line, rather than attack the rim and play back-to-the-basket.
George, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman are all 3-point shooters, and Jayson Tatum often settles for threes. While I do think Boston can score at the rim, I think they'll often defer to what their player profiles say they are: A jumpshooting team.
2) Paul George will play more than 50 games
The 16-year veteran has played 57 games or less in six of the last seven years, so his availability is never a sure thing, but I think Boston will go out of its way to keep him healthy and available. He won't play in back-to-backs, I'm sure, but I think he'll contribute to this team more than some of the skeptics do.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) reacts to his three pointer against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesHe played only 37 games last year, but he did average more than 17 ppg.
3) Hugo Gonzalez will take a nice jump
The first-round draft pick from a year ago saw action in more than 70 games last season, but he seems primed for a bigger role this time around. No one player can replace Brown on their own; it will need to be a collection. And Gonzalez is crafty and capable of getting to the basket, and I think you'll see him utilize those skills - especially on days when George doesn't play.
