Entering the 2025-26 season, the Boston Celtics dealt head coach Joe Mazzulla a difficult task. With numerous offseason departures and superstar Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely, Mazzulla had to configure a new starting lineup and substitution rotation. While the starting lineup is seemingly cemented, Mazzulla continues to tinker with which players he goes to off the bench, as it varies from game-to-game based on matchups.
In the last few games, Mazzulla has played one guard, one big, and three wings off the bench. With Hugo Gonzalez emerging as a crucial contributor and Sam Hauser providing the Celtics with an elite shooter, forward Josh Minott has seen his workload ultimately vanish, as he hasn’t appeared in the last two games.
At one point in the season, Minott was a starter, showcasing his skillset on the defensive end and on the glass with his relentless effort. He even displayed progression as a scorer, something he struggled with for the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he finished multiple games in double-figures.
However, the emergence of Jordan Walsh has forced Minott aside, putting him on thin ice as 2025 comes to a close.
Josh Minott Is Falling Out of Celtics' Rotation
While it may be unfair to put Minott on thin ice officially, he’s trending in that direction. In his last nine games, Minott has provided the Celtics with much production, averaging just 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 16.8 minutes per game.
Although these numbers aren’t bad, they aren’t good enough to earn minutes on a Celtics roster that is crowded with depth at wing. When looking at their wings, all but Hauser provide a similar skillset. Because Hauser gives the Celtics high upside with his elite shooting, he’ll always maintain a role. Gonzalez, Walsh, and Minott, meanwhile, provide a high level of intensity and inject life into the Celtics when they desperately need it.
The separator between the three is on offense. Both Walsh and Gonzalez have improved as spot-up shooters and flourished in creating their own shots recently. Meanwhile, Minott has lagged in that area. Even though Minott is shooting 44.4% from three on 2.6 attempts this season, opposing teams don’t respect his shot.
You’ll see teams continue to sag off of Minott with his unorthodox shooting form, which clogs driving lanes. Mazzulla’s offense thrives on spacing and high-volume shooting beyond the arc, which is reflected in the team ranking third in three-point attempts (42.8).
Since the Celtics struggled last year in bench points, Mazzulla may be more inclined to turn to players who can give them a boost in scoring. As a result, this puts Minott at a disadvantage compared to the other options at wing.
Unless Minott can develop in his offense, Mazzulla is likely to continue with this current group for the foreseeable future. What we know with Mazzulla is that he’s always allowing players to redeem themselves, and Minott will have a chance to showcase if he’s earned an opportunity to crack the rotation once again.
Regardless, the Celtics should be impressed with what Minott has displayed thus far. Still only 22-years old and on a cheap two-year, $4.9 million deal he signed in the offseason, he’s got the motor and intangibles that you want every player to have. He just needs to find a way to showcase that more often.