Despite undergoing a major roster shakeup following the blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics might still be a force to be reckoned with during the upcoming regular season. While many analysts have written off the franchise’s immediate prospects, prominent NBA insider Chris Mannix believes the Celtics possess enough collective depth and talent to shock the basketball world and secure the No. 1 seed in a fiercely competitive Eastern Conference.
Speaking on the SI Show, Mannix admitted that his initial reaction to the Brown trade was that Boston’s days as immediate championship contenders were over. However, after taking a closer look at the current roster construction, he reversed his stance regarding their regular-season outlook.
Key Variables: Health and Recovery
Of course, achieving the top spot in the East comes with significant caveats. Mannix emphasized that success hinges entirely on a few major health variables. Paul George will need to stay on the court and deliver roughly 60 productive games, while franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum must prove he is fully recovered from the lingering physical effects of his previous Achilles tendon tear.
Last season, Tatum returned at lightning speed but admitted he wasn’t completely himself physically, managing 61 regular-season games with averages of 21.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists before elevating his play during a brief first-round playoff series against Philadelphia. Meanwhile, George appeared in just 37 regular-season contests, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. If both stars can manage their bodies and return to peak form, Boston’s ceiling rises dramatically.
Depth and New Additions Bolster the Roster
Beyond the star power, Mannix pointed to the team’s improved depth as a primary driver for regular-season success. The acquisition of center Mitchell Robinson provides a massive interior presence that Boston sorely lacked. Mannix views Robinson as a prototypical Joe Mazzulla player—someone who can step in, log rugged minutes, gobble up double-digit rebounds, protect the rim, and provide the physical backbone that previous backup bigs like Neemias Queta couldn’t consistently supply in high-stakes moments.
Furthermore, internal growth is expected to play a vital role. Mannix anticipates that guard Payton Pritchard is primed to take another significant developmental leap forward, providing reliable scoring and energy off the bench. These pieces complement a defensive foundation that already finished fourth in defensive rating last season while surrendering a league-low 107.2 points per game.
A Brutal Eastern Conference Landscape
Securing the top seed will be an uphill battle given how much the Eastern Conference has loaded up. The defending champion New York Knicks remain exceptionally deep, while the rival Philadelphia 76ers now boast a terrifying core featuring Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. Add in a Miami Heat squad featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, a reloaded Toronto Raptors team anchored by Kawhi Leonard, and the ever-dangerous Cleveland Cavaliers, and the East is a minefield.
Even after finishing with a stellar 56-26 record last season and capturing the second seed—despite missing Tatum for chunks of the year—the Celtics suffered heartbreak when they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Sixers in the opening round. That postseason collapse is why Mannix firmly separates Boston’s regular-season prospects from their championship outlook.
While he stops short of calling them true title contenders right now, Mannix believes that with a healthier roster, savvy additions like Robinson, and underrated depth, the Celtics could easily surprise everyone and capture the regular-season crown.
