Can The Boston Celtics Still Contend Next Year?

The Boston Celtics’ core as we know it has been shaken up recently. Following the second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, the Celtics were looking at an overly expensive team. So, they changed the roster around

This started with them trading away Jrue Holiday for Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. 

BREAKING: The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2ycXQicGkT

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025

A day later, they would trade center Kristaps Porzingis in a three-way deal that saw them getting back Georges Niang and a second-round pick.

BREAKING: Boston, Atlanta and Brooklyn are finalizing a three-team trade that sends Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks, Terance Mann and Atlanta's No. 22 pick to the Nets, and Georges Niang and a second-rounder to the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/1fcbIslyVF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025

While both of these players were integral to the Celtics’ championship, they both had large contracts that needed to be dumped for the Celtics to stay under the NBA’s second apron. 

At the time of this article, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are still on the team. Depending on what the Celtics do in free agency, the lineup next season would likely consist of Simons, White, Brown, Niang and new free agent Luka Garza 

While this lineup doesn’t scream contender, it is a team that is more than capable of winning games next year. 

Part of the reason this team could be contenders next season is due to how open the Eastern Conference is. 

Teams with little hope

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers look to take a dip next season following the recent injury to Tyrese Haliburton in game seven of the NBA Finals. Haliburton is Indiana’s “leader,” on the court, and without him, the Pacers were 4-5 in the regular season.

The team does have impactful role players who helped in their NBA Finals duel with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including Benedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith and playoff hero T.J. McConnell. However, those players don’t have the superstar level ability of Haliburton. Though they will still be a good team next year, they will likely not be the contender they were this past season. 

Milwaukee Bucks

Though the Milwaukee Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo, their recent moves don’t scream “contender.” They recently waived star point guard Damian Lillard, who also tore his achilles in the playoffs, and signed Pacers center Myles Turner to a large contract. 

Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/eg1D1TMFM6

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

A core of Turner, Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis doesn’t seem like enough around Antetokounmpo to help them compete next season. Whether they do or do not trade their superstar power forward, the Bucks have an uphill battle next season. 

Detroit Pistons 

The Pistons were a surprising team last season, winning 44 games and earning the No. 6 seed in the East. They were able to build a strong core around star point guard Cade Cunningham, including young pieces like Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson and proven veterans like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardway Jr. 

They are a team on the rise, but their core players lack true playoff experience, meaning they likely won’t be competing for a Larry O’Brien Trophy next spring. 

Other

The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors have proven to be playoff-caliber teams in the past, but likely don’t have the roster to compete even with the slue of long term injuries. 

Could possibly compete 

Orlando Magic

The Magic were bounced in the first round by the Boston Celtics, as their shooting woes and lack of a true third star really hurt them in a series against what was a very established Celtics roster. Star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have bright futures ahead of them, and played well in their playoff series. Alongside newly acquired guard Desmond Bane, the Magic now have a “big three,” and will look to compete in a depleted Eastern Conference.

BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UcQnmHbgZb

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers had quite the underwhelming year. After signing former Clipper Paul George, the team thought they could contend behind their new big three of Tyrese Maxey, George, and former league MVP Joel Embiid. The latter has been the 76ers best player for nearly a decade, but struggled through injury and load management this past season, only playing in 19 games before being shut down for the season. 

After a rough first season in Philadelphia for George, and injury-plagued seasons for Maxey and exciting young guard Jared McCain, the 76ers are looking to get healthy. If they are able to, they have an exciting core, which includes the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft V.J. Edgecombe, with the ability to compete next season. 

Definite Contenders

New York Knicks

The Knicks, who just beat the Celtics in the playoffs, are going to be surefire contenders next season. They were not hit with the injury bug, and their core of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns will have another year to build chemistry. Sometimes, it is as simple as that.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The last team that will surely compete is the Cavaliers. On the back of them finishing as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Pacers in the second round, the Cavs are still a young team with a lot of potential. Their core of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley make impact plays on both sides of the ball. They have a very deep roster and will look to improve upon their already impressive record. 

Conclusion

While the Celtics won’t be a top contender next season, they slide perfectly into the “could possibly compete” category. Their roster is still strong enough, even without Tatum, to win north of 40 games. In a conference that looks to be unpredictable next season, 40 wins may be all it takes to make the playoffs and fight for their shot for another championship.