ESPN Predicts Celtics Will Part Ways with Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and More

The Boston Celtics could be in line for even more roster turnover over the next few years.

Heading into the 2026-27 NBA season, ESPN's NBA insiders ranked all 30 teams based on their three-year outlook.

The good news for the Celtics is that they rose from ranking 13th last year to third this year, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs .

The less encouraging news is that ESPN's Ben Golliver made a bold prediction that involves even more change.

"Bold prediction for 2027-29: Tatum will be the only member of the Celtics' 2024 championship team still on the roster entering the 2029-30 season," writes Golliver . "After trading Brown this summer, Boston is down to just six members of its title team: Tatum, Derrick White , Payton Pritchard , Sam Hauser , Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh . With Boston's new ownership making sharp cuts in the second apron era, the only constant has been change."

That doesn't necessarily mean the Celtics will trade those players.

Pritchard can become a free agent after the 2027-28 season, while White and Hauser could remain under contract through 2028-29.

Queta is under contract through 2030-31, so he would have to be traded for Golliver's prediction to come true. Walsh, meanwhile, has a team option for 2029-30.

"The Celtics restocked their draft assets, picking up two valuable firsts from Philadelphia in the Jaylen Brown trade," writes Bobby Marks . "As a result, Boston has four available firsts and Paul George 's contract to use in trade discussions. The question, however, is whether Boston adds another max contract to pair with Tatum or adds multiple players to help balance the roster."

As part of ESPN's analysis, the Celtics finished second in management. That should give fans confidence that Brad Stevens and the front office are well-suited to navigate whatever changes come next.