Celtics & Jayson Tatum Get Rough 2026-27 NBA Projections, But They've Dispelled These Before

The Boston Celtics, led by Coach Joe Mazzulla and star player Jayson Tatum, are expected to finish the 2026-27 NBA season with disappointing results according to ESPN's Summer Forecast. The forecast ranks the Celtics fifth among the most disappointing teams in the league, despite the team's history of being a perennial title contender.

The drop-off in performance is attributed to the departure of star player Jaylen Brown, who was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and other draft picks. Despite this, the Celtics' roster, including Tatum and Coach Mazzulla, is seen as capable of maintaining a high level of play. Paul George, who replaced Brown, is projected to have a higher efficiency in shooting, especially from three-point range and free throws, while also being less prone to turnovers.

This makes him a better fit for the Celtics' system, which emphasizes perimeter shooting and low turnover rate. The rest of the roster has also shown the ability to thrive under Coach Mazzulla's guidance, with young players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman expected to develop and contribute to the team's success. Overall, while the Celtics are expected to disappoint, it is unlikely that the drop-off will be as significant as the forecast suggests, given the strengths of the roster and the context of Coach Mazzulla's system.