Celtics Could Face Another Brutal Year — Here's Why

The Boston Celtics may be facing another difficult season, according to a recent ESPN ranking of teams most likely to fall short of expectations. The team, which won 56 games last year, is currently fifth on the list, just behind the Lakers, Pistons, Warriors and Heat. ESPN's panel of experts gave the Celtics 17 points, indicating a reasonable chance for disappointment.

While this ranking doesn't necessarily mean the Celtics are doomed for a disaster, it does suggest they may not measure up to the high expectations placed on them. The Celtics are entering the season with a major change: they traded All-Star Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft picks. This significant move has altered the roster dynamics and could impact the team's performance.

ESPN's ranking reflects the pressure Boston faces to compete at the top of the league, as falling short of expectations could lead to fan anger and dissatisfaction. Still, the Celtics aren't viewed as the team most likely to disappoint, as they rank ahead of every team outside the top four.