The Boston Celtics are reworking their lineup with Payton Pritchard set to start at point guard, as Jayson Tatum recovers and Jrue Holiday is out. Anfernee Simons would come off the bench as a high‑scoring spark, a blueprint that could redefine fantasy value in Boston’s backcourt for 2025‑26. Pritchard’s ascension isn’t a surprise given his years of growth and familiarity with the offense, but the move signals a real shift in usage and playmaking responsibility for the guard position.

Pritchard thrived as Sixth Man of the Year and showed flashes as a fill‑in starter, posting impressive numbers when called upon. Simons arrives with elite scoring ability, multi‑level scoring, and a contract year dynamic that could push him into a prominent bench role or a later trade window handicap. The juxtaposition creates a potent fantasy narrative: Pritchard as a stable, high‑usage starter and Simons as a dynamic, but potentially platoon, scorer off the bench.

Injuries and turnover open lanes for other Celtics—Tatum’s absence magnifies early workload for Boston’s guards, while Simons’ expiring deal keeps him squarely in trade whispers. For fantasy managers, Pritchard’s path to reliable value hinges on minutes and rhythm; Simons offers ceiling in bursts, especially when paired with a second unit that can sustain offensive bursts. Training camp and early schedule will reveal how quickly this duo cements roles and how defenses react to Boston’s revamped guard corps.

Overall, the Celtics’ plan leans into youth and system familiarity, with a demonstrable impact on early fantasy projections. If Pritchard locks in the starting gig and Simons remains a scoring punch off the bench, Boston could present a nuanced balance of stable floor and sporadic upside across multiple fantasy formats.

Jayson Tatum's Achilles setback accelerates a Celtics pivot to Brown and White as the team’s primary offensive engines for 2025-26. Boston responds by adding Ron Harper Jr., a high-volume 3-point shooter from the G-League who flashed 39% from deep across Motor City Cruise and Maine Celtics last season. Harper Jr. is the son of former NBA veteran Ron Harper and brother of Dylan Harper, the Spurs’ 2025 No. 2 pick, signaling a family-backed bloodline of shooters joining a retooled Boston wing rotation. The move aims to give Boston a steady outside threat and a versatile wing option who could crack the rotation if he quickly adapts to NBA spacing and pace. Harper Jr.’s G-League track record suggests potential as a floor-stretcher and secondary creator, a valuable asset if Tatum is sidelined or limited. Overall, the Celtics are recalibrating around Brown and White while adding a shooting-forward understudy with upside to complement the staggered star power.

The addition of Harper Jr. reflects Boston’s emphasis on depth and floor-spread, with a track record of high-volume 3-point shooting making him a plausible fit in lineups that feature Brown and White. If he lands in a minutes-optimized role, he could balance offensive flows and give fantasy managers a late-round dart with multi-positional appeal. The Celtics’ approach underscores strategic roster layering as they navigate the evolving perimeter game and potential injuries, keeping fantasy options alive down the depth chart.

Derrick White has carved out a reputation for measured, defensive-driven play, yet teammates keep ribbing him about a first technical foul. Jayson Tatum tosses a playful challenge that he won’t truly respect White until he picks up a tech, a quirky barometer of on-court edge. Jordan Walsh’s Summer League ejection becomes a spark for White, who jokes about being inspired by youth energy. The Celtics’ banter-free competitiveness hints at a tight, high-tempo culture.

From a fantasy lens, the dynamic is more upside than risk. White’s baseline production should stay steady, with room for modest upticks if internal competition nudges him toward a more aggressive bite of the whistle. Tatum’s workload remains the primary driver for Boston, while Walsh’s energy could carve a niche role and occasional blowup games off the bench. Expect the vibe around Boston to maintain a balance between controlled defense and bursts of intensity that can swing in-game stats.

Overall, Celtics players arrive with clear roles but a camaraderie that could push-minute volatility in small bursts. White’s lack of tech risk remains a stability factor in fantasy, while Walsh’s emergence could offer late-round upside if he earns minutes. Tatum stays the anchor, with Boston’s culture shaping how minutes and opportunities unfold across the season.