The preseason has come and gone, and within a week, the Boston Celtics will open up their season against the New York Knicks. It was a weird preseason slate as the Celtics had to travel to Abu Dhabi for their first two games. But after that they were back stateside.
Boston ended the preseason with a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming on the road against the Toronto Raptors in their final contest. It was a narrow loss, and they were one Jordan Walsh layup from remaining undefeated. Still, it was an impressive five-game run for the defending champs, and Joe Mazzulla was likely looking to figure out his 2024-25 rotation.
Here are five things we learned from the preseason about Mazzulla’s potential Celtics rotation.
1. Jordan Walsh could get real minutes
Most of Jordan Walsh’s rookie season was spent up in Maine. He just didn’t look ready to take on NBA action, and his performance in Vegas at Summer League confirmed that. But he came into preseason looking for vengeance.
In all of his appearances, Walsh looked like than the one who struggled through Summer League. The game seemingly slowed down for him, and every shot he took, he took with confidence.
He flashed some playmaking skills, he was able to effectively drive closeouts, and his defense still looked solid. Walsh should get some real rotation minutes at times this year.
2. Luke Kornet is the go-to backup center
As soon as Luke Kornet got the start in place of Al Horford in Abu Dhabi, it was clear as day he will be the team’s go-to backup center this year. And with how well he played during the preseason, it’s
Kornet’s playmaking out of the short roll and elite screening make him a perfect pick to play next to Boston’s stars. He’s constantly finding the weak spots of the defense, getting open for his teammates to make easy passes.
Add in his rock-solid defense against most big men in the league, and he should regularly play 20-25 minutes per game this year, especially while Kristaps Porzingis is out.
3. Xavier Tillman is more than a center
Heading into the preseason, the battle for the backup center spot was viewed as a three-way competition between Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta. And while Tillman proved he can play the five spot, he’s so much more than that.
Tillman spent long stretches playing the four next to Kornet and Horford, and his much-improved floor spacing makes it a viable look for the Celtics.
He’s already one of the most versatile defenders on the roster, so adding a consistent three-point shot to his game will allow the Celtics to play him heavy minutes at the four and five.
Baylor Scheierman won’t play right away
When the Celtics drafted Baylor Scheierman, some questioned whether or not he could make an immediate impact in Boston. The has an NBA-ready skill set, but the preseason revealed some serious flaws.
More than anything else, the NBA game looks too fast for Scheierman at the moment, and his three-point shot is far too inconsistent to play in Boston this season.
Some time up in Maine will be very useful for the rookie as he adjusts to life in the NBA.
Neemias Queta could be the odd man out
The Celtics clearly believe in Neemias Queta. They proved that when they this summer. But based on the preseason, he may be the odd man out of the rotation.
Kornet and Tillman looked incredible in the preseason, and while Queta didn’t necessarily look bad the other two simply seemed as though they improved more over the summer.
Queta will undoubtedly still get his chances in the rotation this year, but based on the preseason Kornet and Tillman will get the first crack at it.
