Going into the NBA season, the Boston Celtics were set to look much different than they did in prior years. After losing many players from last year's team, it was fair to question how the Celtics would do. So far this season, they have surpassed all expectations, owning a record of 15-11 and currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.
While things have gone better than expected for the Celtics, it hasn't been without some issues. Three players in particular have been disappointing to start the season.
1. Sam Hauser, F
The longest tenured Celtic on this list, Sam Hauser, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, working his way from a two-way contract to being a part of the rotation that saw the Celtics win the 2024 NBA Championship. Through each of Hauser's first four seasons, his role with the Celtics was increased, and so was his play. Entering year five, Hauser hasn't looked his best.
This year, Hauser is averaging career-low shooting percentages from the field (34.3%) and from beyond the arc (34%). His points per game have also dropped to 6.6. Even though Hauser has been disappointing to begin the year, he's the player I would feel most comfortable with for a turnaround this season.
2. Chris Boucher, F
Boston wasn't the biggest free agent spender during the off-season, making limited moves. One of the moves the team did, however, was bringing in veteran Chris Boucher. After spending most of his career with the Toronto Raptors, Boucher had a new home and a chance to be a reliable rotation player. During the early portion of the year, Boucher has failed to make an impact.
Boucher has seen limited time this season, only appearing in eight of the 26 games. When he has played, he's only averaged 11.4 minutes and owns career lows in his shooting percentage from the field (31.8%) and from 3-point land, where he's converting a putrid 8.3% of his attempts. With December rolling around, Chris Boucher's time in Boston could be coming to a close.
3. Anfernee Simons, G
Last off-season, the Celtics' first move was trading away veteran point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons. As a member of the Trail Blazers, Simons grew into a talented scorer, averaging around 20 points per game over the past four seasons. Following Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, Simons' scoring was something that Boston could use. Unfortunately, things haven't worked out well for Simons in Boston
Through 26 games, Simons has averaged 23.7 minutes per game, and his scoring average has dropped from 19.3 points per contest last season to 13 this season. His attempts per game have also dropped from 16.1 to 10.7, but his efficiency has remained similar at 43% from the field and 38% from deep.
The biggest issue with Simons this year has been the inconsistency of his play. In some games, Simons' offense has helped the Celtics, while in others, he's barely noticeable. Given his defensive struggles, if Simons can't provide offense, he hasn't found a way to be productive. With his play and looming contract extension, Simons and Boston may be heading towards a breakup.