The 2025-26 campaign is almost here, and the Boston Celtics are preparing to be without Jayson Tatum for the foreseeable future.
The superstar forward suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 4 of the team’s Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the New York Knicks and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. Following Boston’s salary-shedding moves this offseason, the team will rely heavily on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to lead the team back to the playoffs.
A four-time All-Star, Brown will step up and serve as the Celtics’ top option with Tatum sidelined. Brown has averaged 20-plus points per game in six consecutive seasons and has been a steady contributor for Boston, though he’ll still have to prove he can lead the new-look team to success.
MORE: Celtics insiders share Jayson Tatum injury update from coach Joe Mazzulla
Jaylen Brown predicted to reach new heights
NBC Sports Boston’s staff recently predicted their bold midseason headlines for the Celtics, with Sean McGuire speculating that Brown will be in the running to win the NBA MVP award.
“Brown opened at 100-1 to win the award behind the heavily-favored Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 12 other players including Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant,” he wrote. “When the trade deadline nears in early February, Brown will be in the top six.”
While this claim is certainly bold, it isn’t entirely unrealistic. The Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in June to cut costs, and their depth isn’t exactly impressive.
Brown will be asked to do a lot on a retooled Celtics squad, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see his usage rate reach new heights. The Celtics aren’t widely viewed as contenders, but the 28-year-old could also strengthen his MVP odds by leading them to a top spot in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
More NBA News:
- 76ers president Daryl Morey offers update on Quentin Grimes contract talks
- Ex-Knicks All-Star Julius Randle gets brutally honest about Timberwolves trade
- Ex-Bucks Star Damian Lillard reveals return timeline with IShowSpeed
- Kyrie Irving unveils creative tribute to Mavericks teammate Klay Thompson
- Rockets' Kevin Durant claps back with hilarious reply to fan's jab