Boston Celtics: 5 great predictions for the 2020-21 NBA season

3. Jeff Teague will finish the season in the top five on the team in scoring:

Of all of the moves that the Boston Celtics made this past offseason, the signing of Jeff Teague might very well be the most under appreciated by the fans.

Teague has averaged double digit points per game in eight of the past nine seasons, and he has averaged at least 20 minutes per game in all nine of those seasons.

Only four other players currently on the Celtics roster hit both of those marks last season: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, and Marcus Smart.

With Walker out for at least the start of the season, look for Teague to join Tatum, Brown, and Smart as the team’s go-to guys when they need points.

4. None of the rookies will play a significant role:

Many Boston Celtics fans are excited about the potential of first round draft picks Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard.

While these two may take on more significant roles down the road, the fact of the matter is that in recent seasons, the Celtics haven’t gotten significant contributions from their rookies. In the Brad Stevens era, only one Celtics rookie has averaged more than seven points per game: Jayson Tatum.

Even Jaylen Brown averaged only 6.6 points—and just 17.2 minutes—per game during his rookie season.

So while Nesmith and Pritchard could turn out to be great players down the road, don’t expect a lot from them this season.