Which Boston Celtics player will walk away with some hardware during the 2025-26 season?
With Jayson Tatum sidelined to start the new campaign, his run of four straight All-NBA First Team nods will end. Might someone else slot among the 15 best players in basketball this season? Is there a surprise nominee for a Celtics All-Star candidate? Can someone besides Derrick White muscle their way onto an All-Defense team?
For Day 19 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to make one bold awards prediction involving a Celtics player.
Our intrepid pick: Josh Minott for Most Improved Player.
We checked out the odds over at DraftKings and there are six Celtics players on their preseason MIP board, and none of whom are nicknamed The Lawn Mower. You can get Payton Pritchard (+2200), Chris Boucher (+5000), Anfernee Simons (+5000), Derrick White (+6000), Neemias Queta (+7000), or Luka Garza (+15000). Quick aside: Queta at +7000, while potentially elevating to a starting role and after a rock-solid EuroBasket tournament, almost made us recast our selection.
But we’re sticking with a breakout year for Minott.
Given the Celtics’ need for size and rebounding, we can see Minott kicking down the door to heavy playing time. The 22-year-old has averaged 2.3 points and 1.0 rebounds over his three NBA seasons, meaning even a modest stat line this season is going to pop when comparing his year-over-year increases.
Sure, MIP typically goes to a more established player, often someone who went from key role player to All-Star presence. Maybe we’re a year or two early on Minott’s award. And maybe that’s why Pritchard is so high on the preseason odds list. But we’re staying bold.
We love Minott’s potential. We love his nickname. There’s a chance he can help fill the void in our heart that’s been vacant since Robert Williams III’s departure.
And we think Minott is going to start his climb to key contributor on Boston’s next title-contending team with his play this season.
Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor
Jaylen Brown finally makes an All-Defense team.
Brown has long espoused the importance of playing on both ends and takes immense pride in his defense. While he’ll be expected to shoulder a larger offensive load this season, we could see Brown making a point to bring it on the defensive end, and with a larger spotlight on him, he’ll finally get rewarded for his efforts with an All-Defense nod.
Michael Hurley, Web Producer
I’m sure everyone would love for it to be Derrick White winning DPOY, but isn’t the most likely scenario Payton Pritchard winning a second straight Sixth Man of the Year? That just feels right.
Five players have won the award multiple times, but only three of them — Kevin McHale, Detlef Schrempf and Lou Williams — have won it in back-to-back seasons. Pritchard belongs there.
Plus, the Celtics are in a tie with the Clippers for most Sixth Man winners in history with five. Pritchard can break that dreaded tie and finally give the Celtics recognition as being a more successful franchise than the Clippers. This is massive.
Sean McGuire, Web Producer
Derrick White will be named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career.
White, who deserved the honor last season, will take on a larger role without Tatum. I can’t help but think that will lead to his best season yet and, ultimately, the recognition that comes with it.
Josh Canu, Media Editor
Derrick White for Clutch Player of the Year.
Without Tatum, there will be a lot more end-of-game opportunities to go around, and I think most teams will look to contain Jaylen Brown. So, White seems like an obvious choice to step up. And I think he will be up to the task.
Kevin Miller, VP, Content
Jaylen Brown lands on one of the top two All-NBA teams.
I think there’s the possibility that Brown’s points-rebound-assist totals scale over 40 per game this season, with increased playmaking and rebounding. If he does that, then he’ll be on one of the first two teams.
Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy
Joe Mazzulla wins Coach of the Year, because this award always goes to the coach whose team exceeds expectations.
Doc Rivers won Eastern Conference Coach of the Month THREE TIMES in 2007-08, and lost the entire season award to Byron Scott (one month as West Coach of the Month). It defies logic.
Anyway, Mazzulla will finally win the award he should’ve won in 2023-24.
Kayla Burton, Celtics Pregame Live host
Derrick White makes an All-NBA team.
I know it’s not hardware, but White actually rises to become the No.1 guy with Tatum out and makes more headlines than Jaylen Brown.
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