The Boston Celtics have a lot of hard decisions to make as Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and the rest of the front office begin their retooling of Boston’s roster this offseason. It is clear that changes are needed after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, and Boston will likely try to stay under the luxury tax at the same time to reset the repeater tax and free up future spending.
Core players may be dealt, and others traded, cut, or sent back to a two way status with the team. Signings could happen as well, with the team able to use their full Midlevel Exception and possessing several others that can be used for sign-and-trades.
With that said, let’s take a look at each member of Boston’s roster, and whether we expect them to be on it for Opening Night 2026.
Jayson Tatum
If there is a player on this roster who is untouchable, it is Tatum. The St. Louis native might be had for the right offer, but it seems very unlikely such a scenario actually unfolds.
Verdict: On the team to start the season
Jaylen Brown
While the Georgia native is in seemingly every trade rumor connected to Boston and several that seemed to have been cooked up out of thin air, we have yet to see anything concretely connecting Brown to a realistic trade rumor to date. His extension eligibility is interesting, but we aren’t expecting him to be moved at least THIS offseason.
Verdict: On the team to start the season
Derrick White
There is a very real case to be made to move on from White while hes still has considerable trade value even in the wake of one of the worst recent seasons in his career. But replacing the connectivity he provides Boston would likely negate anything coming back even if the shooting stays off from deep, so we think the Celtics may take the risk.
Verdict: On the team to start the season
Payton Pritchard
Pritchard is on one of th ebest-value deals in the NBA, but is also up for a potential extension. The Cs could lock him up on a better contract for the Oregon alum, but would not likely offer money Pritchard would accept, both sides more likely to wait for him to get to free agency.
Verdict: On the team to start the season, not extended
Neemias Queta
Another player up for an extension who significantly blunted his value with a lackluster playoff performance, Queta is too valuable a player to trade away for anything but an upgrade at 5. We think he ends up playing out his current deal, then signed to a better one after next season.
Verdict: On the team to start the season, not extended
Nikola Vucevic
It must be kept in mind that the main reason Boston dealt for Vooch was to get the team out of th eluxury tax, his potential at the 5 a strong second rationale. With the latter aspect shown to be fool’s gold, it seems all but certain the Montengrin big man will leave the team in free agency
Verdict: Leaves the team in free agency
Sam Hauser
Arguably the largest contract on the books for Boston that could be moved without shaking up the team’s identity, Hauser could well be moved in whatever the Celtics do this offseason. With several younger forwards on the team behind him, there is a solid chance Hauser plays elsewhere next season.
Verdict: traded to another team
Hugo Gonzalez
After an eye-opening rookie campaign, the Spaniard has likely cemented a future for himself in green and white, barring a blockbuster trade going down. We do not expect that to happen this offseason, so Gonzalez may be playing a bigger role with the Celtics moving forward.
Verdict: On the team to start the season
Luka Garza
Garza was one of last season’s success stories, and while he is never likely to grow into a starting big man, he also hinted he is capable of taking on a bigger role for Boston. We expect the team to keep him around on his current, team-friendly contract.
Verdict: Verdict: On the team to start the season
Baylor Scheierman
Even if Hauser is not dealt, we expect Scheierman to see more floor time with Boston this coming campaign after a solid showing with the Celtics last season. And if Hauser IS dealt, he could very well end next season a starter.
Verdict: On the team to start the season
Jordan Walsh
Walsh had a decent if not especially impactful season with Boston in 2025-26. He may end up playing his way into a larger role if moves open up some playing time, but he is also one of the team’s more promising, young, cheap players.
Verdict: Traded to a new team
Ron Harper Jr.
Another of Boston’s success stories for last season, there is a chance Harper is dealt or demoted back to two way status. But he also showed flashes on both ends of the court vs. some of the best players in the NBA, so we think iut more likely he sticks with the team.
Verdict: On the team to start the season
Amari Williams
A two way player who was converted to a full deal, there is a case to keep him in that role next season. But he is still very raw and could likely benefit from more time in the G League while opening up roster spots for more experienced players.
Verdict: Reverts back to two way status
Max Shulga
Also a very raw prospect not ready for NBA playing time in meaningful minutes, it seems all but certain that the Ukraining floor general wil be headed back to the Maine Celtics next season.
Verdict: Reverts back to two way status
Dalano Banton
A potentially helpful player who still needs to grow his game a bit to stick at the NBA level, we expect the Canadian guard to head to Europe for a season or three to earn a better paycheck while growing his game.
Verdict: Leaves the team and the league
Listen to “Havlicek Stole the Pod” on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp
iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47
YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Predicting whether every player on the Celtics stays or goes this offseason