Boston Celtics‘ Young Wings Offer Glimpse into teams Future Despite Tatum‘s Absence
Boston – Despite a recent injury to star forward Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ future outlook is being subtly reshaped by the development of three young wings: 19-year-old Justin Gonzalez, the 28th overall pick in the 2024 draft; 25-year-old Baylor Scheierman, selected 30th overall; and other developing players within the roster. Their progress is prompting the team to prioritize development over possibly “tanking” the season,even as other NBA teams strategically bottom out in anticipation of the highly-touted 2026 draft.
Gonzalez, the youngest player on the Celtics roster, has already impressed despite limited playing time. Coaches note his extraordinary feel for the game and NBA-level defensive instincts, leading coach Joe mazzulla to state the team has not considered sending him to the G league for increased minutes, as reported by MassLive.
Baylor Scheierman, a five-year college player, brings a different skillset to the wing position. While not a high-energy defender, Scheierman remains a valuable asset as he is under team control for the foreseeable future.
The Celtics’ strong start to the season is reportedly diminishing the temptation to rebuild, according to MassLive, despite the presence of multiple teams actively pursuing a lottery position in the upcoming draft. the team intends to continue experimenting with lineups to evaluate the potential of these young wings,all of whom are under contract beyond the current season,positioning them as potential core players when the celtics aim to return to championship contention.
