Projecting Celtics 2024-25 Depth Chart After Offseason Moves
By Cem Yolbulan
Rotation Players
Payton Pritchard
Sam Hauser
Al Horford
Luke Kornet
Xavier Tillman Sr.
Since Porzingis will be limited in the regular season and Horford is 38 years old, there will be a big role for the backup centers next season. The Celtics will ideally want to keep Horford's minutes below 25 per game during the regular season.
This opens up a lot of playing time for Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman. The two big men came back to Boston on team-friendly deals while they presumably could have gotten better offers elsewhere. They both played around 15 minutes per game last season and that should continue in the regular season. In the postseason, they will likely be marginalized and only used in case of emergency.
Pritchard and Hauser will continue to play large roles in the rotation. Both players played over 22 minutes per game in the regular season last year and maintained a similarly important role in the postseason. Hauser remains the best shooter on the team and Pritchard provides additional playmaking, passing, scoring, and half-court buzzer beaters off the bench.
Deep Bench Options
Jaden Springer
Jordan Walsh
Baylor Scheierman
Neemias Queta
The last four players under contract for the Celtics are recent draft picks Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman, recently acquired Jaden Springer, and former two-way player Neemias Queta.
Walsh has an intriguing skillset and could see playing time if he makes enough shots. Scheierman is as NBA-ready as any prospect could be as he will turn 24 before the season starts. Queta will only be relied upon if there are injuries to Horford, Kornet, or Tillman.
It is hard to see Springer have a role as he has failed to show much in his three seasons in the NBA after being a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Considering that he is due $4 million for next season, he could be a cap casualty to save the Celtics some money.
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