The Boston Celtics have been nothing short of inconsistent this season, struggling to replicate the same championship caliber aura that once made them a dominant force. Despite posting a 9-6 record this month, their offensive production has failed to match the high-energy efficiency they displayed back in October. Following Monday’s loss against the Houston Rockets, it’s now impossible for the Celtics to repeat the 68-14 record they finished with last year, and there’s still plenty of time left in the season.
Should fans worry? Is the team’s roster connecting in the way that it should? With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Celtics find themselves at a crossroads. If they hope to solidify their status as true contenders and overtake the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are currently holding the top spot, they’ll need to address critical gaps in team chemistry—or make some bold moves to the roster before it’s too late.
After an underwhelming performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jayson Tatum dismissed the criticism as baseless, assuring Celtics fans that there was no cause for concern heading into the 2024-25 season. He maintained that his focus then wasn’t on his play but on letting the other guys shine out, seeing that he had just been crowned an NBA champion. But what happens when Tatum does need to make it all about him— when the Celtics need their star to elevate them in key games?
Through 15 games this month, Tatum has put up nearly identical numbers to his last season—27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Yet, something still feels off. The team’s struggles can’t be pinned solely on him, but as the face of the franchise, the pressure increases. The question remains: what’s missing, and what needs to change for the Celtics to find their stride?
Maybe it’s the rookies who rarely see playing time, the coaching system overly reliant on floor spacing and three-point shooting, or even a lack of balanced rotations. Maybe the Celtics don’t care as much about their regular season performance and are saving their firepower for the playoffs—we’ve seen that done before. However, a closer look at individual player +/- metrics and the per-36-minute performance of the traditional starting five reveals the Celtics’ primary issue: synergy.
Too often, the team appears disjointed, relying on the talent that looks good on paper rather than true cohesion that can win games. Ball movement stagnates, defensive rotations break down, and Tatum and Brown struggle to elevate each other’s strengths. While the starting five boasts individual firepower, the lack of a seamless connection on both ends of the floor has led to inconsistency. If the Celtics hope to compete at the highest level, they need to address the chemistry concerns that have kept them from reaching their full potential. As stated, not all of the blame falls solely on the two All-Stars. However, Tatum’s late-game struggles have become increasingly more difficult to ignore. His fourth-quarter performances have been underwhelming, leading analysts to label the Celtics as a “first-half team.” This was evident in their narrow loss against the Houston Rockets on Monday.
Through 36 games this season, Tatum has averaged a disappointing 5 points per game in the fourth quarter, shooting at a merely average efficiency. Brown seems to go quiet as well, and while both players often sit in the fourth quarter if need be, even when they’re expected to close out the game, it’s been lackluster to watch. While the Celtics' overall statistics suggest a well-performing team, the inability of their stars to rise to the occasion during “crunch time” is their Achilles heel. If Tatum and Brown can’t deliver when it matters most, the Celtics’ aspirations of true contention will remain out of reach.
Looking past the initial eye test and to the per-possession statistics, the numbers are troubling. The Celtics once led the NBA in points scored per-possession but have fluctuated between the third and fourth spots after once being ninth. They’re also 13th in three point field-goal percentage this season, shooting a mediocre 36.4%, which hasn’t ushered them to attack the basket at all.
"We're going through some s***," Jayson Tatum admitted to reporters just weeks ago—a bold, yet necessary acknowledgment of the Celtics' ongoing struggles.
The harsh reality is that this team’s synergy simply isn’t there. They can either sit back and hope their current roster miraculously figures things out—avoiding a fate similar to last year’s Denver Nuggets—or they can take action.
With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the front office has a crucial opportunity to address some of the issues holding this team back. Ignoring the need for reinforcements would be a mistake. Securing a championship-caliber addition—whether it be a reliable bench scorer, a defensive anchor, or a playmaker—could be the catalyst that finally propels the team to the next level. So, in no particular order, here are my top three picks :
#1 - Javonte Green
One potential target worth considering is a familiar fan favorite—Javonte Green. The 6'5" high-flying forward, brings a unique blend of athleticism, defensive versatility, and relentless energy on the glass.
Despite seeing a significant decline in both minutes per game and usage rate since his time in Chicago, Green’s impact in the right small-ball system should not be overlooked. Shooting well over 50%+ for his career, his efficiency, finishing ability, and defensive tenacity make him a valuable asset for a Celtics bench in need of athleticism and depth. If properly utilized, Green could provide the spark Boston needs to strengthen its rotations and shore up its second unit.
#2 - Bojan Bogdanović
Another trade target to look out for is Bojan "Bogey" Bogdanović, a veteran sharpshooter who is yet to play a single minute this season due to a lingering foot injury he suffered during his tenure with the New York Knicks. Despite this, Bogdanović is a massive threat to the trade market and is on the verge of making his return. Having resumed on-court activities this week, he is expected to make his seasonable debut in February—just in time for a potential trade to a team in desperate need of a proven scorer and elite floor spacer.
Bogdanović is, at his core, a bucket-getter—a wing capable of consistently putting up 20+ points per game with lethal outside shooting. At 35, he has shown little signs of decline when healthy, remaining a prolific scorer who can stretch the floor while also providing lineup flexibility at both the three and four spots. Sound familiar? It should—the Celtics attempted a similar move with Danilo Gallinari only a few seasons ago. But if Bogdanović can stay on the court, he could be the missing piece Boston needs, potentially slotting into the starting lineup at the four should anything happen to an aging Al Horford.
#3 - Ty Jerome
And last but not least, one of the biggest surprises of the season—Ty Jerome. The 27-year-old guard is quietly putting together a Most Improved Player-caliber campaign, providing a much-needed spark off the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers, a key factor in their hold on the No. 1 spot. An elite shooter with the ability to play off the ball and a high-IQ playmaker when called upon, Jerome is flirting with 50-40-90 efficiency, making him a nightmare for opposing benches.
Just last week, he etched his name into the record books, drilling a perfect 8-for-8 from three in a tightly contested battle against the 76ers. Little by little, Jerome is solidifying his case as one of the league’s premier sixth men. While his skill set draws comparisons to another 27-year-old sharpshooter in Payton Pritchard, Jerome’s superior efficiency and playmaking give him a noticeable edge. Adding him to the Celtics’ rotation could provide much-needed stability and offensive firepower to the second unit.
With plenty of basketball left before the playoffs arrive this spring, the Celtics still have time to rewrite their narrative. Sitting at the second overall spot in the Eastern Conference and tied for third overall, they could be in a worse position. But the question remains: will they rise to the occasion and prove they’re capable of replicating their 2024 run, or will their inconsistencies continue to cast doubt on their title aspirations? The need for championship caliber basketball continues to grow, and it all comes down to synergy. Without a hive mindset, they risk falling short when the stakes are highest. Every championship team thrives on trust, cohesion, and an unbreakable will to win. If the Celtics can find that, they have a real shot of showing the basketball world that they have something special.
One way or another, the road ahead promises to be a defining stretch for Boston. We’ll be following every moment here at Fans Only Sportz, so stay tuned for more coverage.
And with that, the final buzzer sounds 🚨
Until next quarter...
J.P.