NBA Preview: Celtics turn to Jayson Tatum after stunning Jaylen Brown trade

The Celtics spent years insisting they didn’t have to choose between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Then they chose.

Boston’s stunning decision to send Brown to the 76ers for Paul George and a package of draft picks ended one of the NBA’s most successful partnerships. Tatum and Brown reached six Eastern Conference finals together and delivered the franchise’s 18th championship in 2024.

None of that spared Brown from the realities of the NBA’s second apron. Now Boston enters the 2026-27 season with a familiar goal, but a considerably different team attempting to reach it.

What changed

The Celtics first pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN, before the former MVP landed with the Heat. Boston then pivoted to the Brown trade, acquiring George, two first-round picks and two second-rounders from Philadelphia.

It was a move designed partly to create future flexibility around Tatum. Whether it made the Celtics better today is a much different question.

George remains a polished scorer and dependable perimeter shooter. He is also 36 and has appeared in at least 60 games only once over the past seven seasons.

Boston added Mitchell Robinson to strengthen its rebounding and interior defense, while veteran point guard Mike Conley brings leadership and stability. Nikola Vucevic departed, leaving Robinson and Neemias Queta to handle much of the work in the middle.

This is not a rebuild. It may, however, be a calculated step backward while president of basketball operations Brad Stevens searches for Boston’s next major piece.

The biggest question

Everything begins with Tatum. He returned late last season after tearing his Achilles during the 2025 playoffs. Boston now needs him to look like a franchise player again, not merely a star attempting to regain his rhythm after a major injury.

Brown carried a massive offensive burden in Tatum’s absence, posting career highs in scoring, shot attempts and assists. His usage rate ranked second in the NBA, yet the Celtics still finished with the league’s second-best offensive rating.

Replacing that production will require more than giving George the ball and hoping he turns back the clock.

Coach Joe Mazzulla figures to expand Payton Pritchard’s role after his career season. George should fit comfortably in an offense built around spacing, quick decisions and a large diet of 3-pointers. A healthy Tatum also should push Boston back toward the top of the league in long-range attempts.

The offense will look different. It doesn’t necessarily have to look worse.

The X-factor

Robinson may be Boston’s most important addition outside of George.

The Celtics led the NBA in shot attempts per 100 possessions last season by protecting the basketball and creating extra opportunities. Robinson is one of the league’s best offensive rebounders and should provide even more second chances for Boston’s perimeter shooters.

As always, availability is the issue. Robinson can change games with his rebounding and rim protection. He can’t change them from the training room.

The outlook

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index places Boston fourth entering the season, so the expectations have hardly disappeared.

Tatum is back. Derrick White, Pritchard and much of the Celtics’ established infrastructure remain in place. Mazzulla has also kept the operation remarkably steady, with Boston never losing more than three consecutive games during his first three seasons as coach.

There is enough here to win 50 games and challenge near the top of the East. Winning another championship is a harder sell.

Perhaps George stays healthy, Tatum returns to superstar form and Robinson gives Boston exactly what it lacked inside. Perhaps the Celtics eventually use those draft picks to acquire Brown’s true replacement.

Until then, Boston remains dangerous. It just no longer feels inevitable.