Top Celtics Preseason Storylines: 3 Things to Watch as Boston Launches New Era

Top Celtics Preseason Storylines: 3 Things to Watch as Boston Launches New Era originally appeared on NESN.
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The Celtics enter the 2026-27 season looking a little different from some of their predecessors.

Jaylen Brown is gone. Paul George has taken his place, accompanied by a hulking contract and plenty of evidence that would suggest he’s past his best. Jayson Tatum is further removed from his Achilles tear. But he’s also slated to receive more defensive attention than he has in years.

All of that is to say, there are plenty of questions swirling around Boston as it approaches the regular-season. The preseason, which tips off with a matchup against the Cavaliers on Oct. 8, could prove a welcome time to attempt to solve a few of them.

With that, here’s a look at the C’s biggest storylines heading into preseason.

MORE: NBA Scout Reveals Why They’re Not Sold on Celtics as Contenders

Top Celtics Preseason Storylines

Paul George’s Usage

On Celtics Media Day, George expressed confidence that he can rekindle his All-Star caliber form after injuries and poor performance limited his effectiveness in Philadelphia (and made many question the four-year, $211.58 million maximum contract he inked two summers ago).

“I’m still capable of doing those things when healthy and I feel like my body is is back healthy,” George said. “I feel I’m capable of doing those things again.'”

Preseason will offer a window into whether those words ring true. George should get ample opportunity to flaunt his chops as one of Boston’s leading scoring options — especially when Tatum is off the floor.

George got rave reviews during offseason workouts, with some reports indicating he looked like he turned back the clock while flying around the floor with his teammates. If he can put forth similar showings in Boston colors, it would go a long way in cementing Boston as a serious contender in the East.

MORE: Derrick White Addresses His Future With Celtics

Mitchell Robinson or Neemias Queta for Starting Center?

Robinson is the big-money addition fresh off of serving as a linchpin on the Knicks’ title-winning side. Queta, meanwhile, put forth the best numbers of his career in Boston’s front court. Who wins out?

It’s really anyone’s guess. Queta wasn’t able to maintain his form in the postseason, amassing fouls in bunches as the Celtics fell to the Sixers in seven. Robinson has suffered from the same plight at points in his career. His showcases in the summer suggest he might have turned the corner — albeit in fewer minutes.

Both players should field plenty of play time in preseason. Given the slim margins between the two, it’s perfectly reasonable to believe that whoever performs better in preseason will get the starting nod when Boston takes on the Pistons in the regular-season opener. Expect a fierce battle to determine who takes the tip on Opening Day.

MORE: Mitchell Robinson Ready to Make an Impact With Celtics

What Will Payton Pritchard’s Role Look Like?

Pritchard was one of the leading candidates to step up following Brown’s departure. He’ll get his first chance to do so in preseason.

The Celtics typically deployed Pritchard as an off-the-bench burner during Brown and Tatum’s pomp, using him to keep the offense ticking when Boston’s best scoring options were off the floor.

Brown’s departure could change that calculus. Head coach Joe Mazzulla hasn’t yet revealed whether Pritchard will get the starting nod in 2026-27. There are understandable reasons why he might want to avoid doing so; a Pritchard and Derrick White-led backcourt would be one of the smallest in basketball.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to imagine Mazzulla depriving the Oregon product of a starting role if he shows out across these next four preseason games. If Pritchard can show his viability on both sides of the ball alongside White, that could be enough to get him in that starting five on Opening Day.

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