Who Are These Guys? Meet The Newest Boston Celtics

Joel Piton
Aug 1
7 min read

The NBA season is still months away, but the Boston Celtics front office has already been hard at work reshaping their roster. With seven new additions joining the fold so far this offseason, it's clear that the 2025–26 Celtics will look drastically different from the squad that took the floor last year. With Jayson Tatum gone, the Celtics are doing everything they can to look like a former championship squad. And as free agency continues to unfold, fans are left wondering: Who exactly are these new faces? Are we looking at a major step backward—or a carefully assembled unit with breakout potential? One thing’s for sure: Boston’s future just got a whole lot more interesting.

Anfernee Simons — SG, 6'3" [7 Yrs. Pro]

2024-25 Stats — 19.3 PPG — 2.7 RPG — 4.8 APG — 1.1 SPG — 42.6 FG %

Anfernee Simons might not be in Boston for long—according to his agent, buyout options are still being explored, and a move could happen before training camp. But if he stays, the Celtics are getting an offensive jolt. Simons has quietly grown into a consistent 20+ point-per-game scorer who can slide into either guard spot, offering Boston both flexibility and firepower. While his shooting percentages dipped last season, that’s largely due to the heavy burden he carried in Portland’s offense. He was forced into high-volume, tough-shot situations that skewed his shooting splits. Shot selection remains a work in progress, as Simons often settles for deep threes when easier looks in the midrange or at the rim are available. But make no mistake—he’s a capable three-point threat.

As a former dunk contest champion, it should come as no surprise that Simons can play above the rim, and fans would love to see him attack the basket more. What’s often overlooked, though, is his growth as a facilitator. Simons has evolved into a respectable playmaker, and his presence on the floor could be a huge boost for Boston’s younger core. If he stays in green, this is a very solid pickup.

Georges Niang — PF/SF, 6'7" [9 Yrs. Pro]

2024-25 Stats — 9.9 PPG — 3.5 RPG — 1.4 APG — .4 SPG — 46.1 FG %

Georges Niang came alive in Cleveland, carving out a role as a reliable bench player who can plug into either forward spot and stretch the floor with confidence. A career 39% shooter from beyond the arc, Niang has established himself as a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat across multiple franchises—and that’s exactly the kind of weapon Boston’s second unit has been lacking. With Luke Kornet out the door and Drew Peterson gone before developing into a consistent bench shooter, Niang steps into an important role on a Celtics team whose bench hasn't exactly lit it up from deep.

Beyond the shooting, Niang’s rebounding numbers have quietly improved year after year—a promising sign for an undersized, less-than-explosive power forward. His brief stint in Atlanta showcased perhaps the best version of Niang we’ve seen to date. This season, he averaged more points than at any other point in his career, looking sharper, more confident, and more efficient. If Boston gets that version of Georges Niang, this pickup could fly well under the radar as one of the team’s more valuable additions.

Luka Garza — C, 6'10" [4 Yrs. Pro]

2024-25 Stats — 3.5 PPG — 1.4 RPG — .3 APG — .1 BPG — 49.5 FG %

Luka Garza, the former NCAA Player of the Year, has spent most of his NBA career on the bench, averaging just 6 minutes per game over the past three seasons with Minnesota. It feels unfair—Garza has proven he deserves more. He dominated the G-League, earned call-ups, and made the most of every limited opportunity on an NBA floor, shooting nearly 50% from the field for his career. At 6'10", Garza brings a rare blend of post moves and modern floor spacing. He’s a true back-to-the-basket big who can also step out and hit the three, giving him a versatility that most bench centers lack.

While he’s a bit undersized and not the most athletic, his touch and feel on the offensive end more than make up for it. No one’s expecting Garza to be much more than a role-player, but until he gets real rotation minutes on a winning team, we won’t even know what he’s fully capable of. What we do know is this: every time he steps on the floor, he produces. He lets his game do the talking—and Boston might just be the first team to really listen.

Josh Minott — SF, 6'8" [3 Yrs. Pro]

2024-25 Stats — 2.6 PPG — 1.0 RPG — .4 APG — .3 SPG — 48.9 FG %

Josh Minott, another former Minnesota Timberwolf, has had a relatively quiet start to his NBA journey. The 6'8" wing has spent most of the past three seasons logging late-game minutes in blowouts, with few real chances to prove himself. But at just 22 years old, there’s still plenty of time for Minott to carve out a role—and Boston might just be the place for it. A stud at Memphis, Minott brings a mix of raw athleticism and underrated shooting touch. His jumper may look unorthodox, but it’s effective, and he's shot an impressive 48% from the field across his NBA career. He’s also not shy about finishing at the rim, capable of playing well above it and throwing it down with authority.

Defensively, Minott’s tools are developing. At 6'8" with a near 7-foot wingspan, he has the length and mobility to guard multiple positions, potentially making him a versatile piece off Boston’s bench. He’s still a work in progress, no doubt—but the upside is there. If the Celtics give him runway to grow, they might end up with one of the sneakier steals of the offseason.

Amari Williams — C, 7'0" [Rookie]

Amari Williams may have flown under the radar in the draft, but this pickup by Boston could be a steal. The 7-foot English center made a name for himself at Drexel, where he earned three CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors and two First Team All-Conference selections. After transferring to Kentucky, he became a defensive anchor—the Khaman Maluach of the SEC—and brought that same gritty, interior presence to one of the most storied programs in college basketball.

Williams is an old-school big man with a modern twist. He’s a double-double threat who finishes aggressively at the rim, but he’s not afraid to step out and hit the occasional three—something that could stretch his game even further in the NBA. What really stands out? His passing. Averaging 3.2 assists per game as a 7-footer on a loaded Kentucky squad is no small feat. He sees the floor well, makes smart decisions out of the post, and could become a valuable high-post facilitator in Boston’s offense. Why he went undrafted? Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. But one thing’s for sure: this is a scary good pickup for the Celtics.

Hugo Gonzalez — SF, 6'6" [Rookie]

Hugo González, Boston’s primary draft pick, might not have the prototypical size or frame for a modern NBA forward, but what he lacks in stature, he makes up for in skill. A former Real Madrid standout, González has drawn soft comparisons to Luka Doncic—not because he’s projected to be the same superstar, but because of his footwork, offensive bag, and crafty floater game that all echo Doncic’s early playing style.

Still, the red flags are real. His defensive game is a massive question mark, and the transition from Euro League's pace and spacing to the NBA is rarely seamless. His overseas stats—just 4 points per game—won’t turn heads, but they don’t tell the full story.

Hugo’s offensive upside as a point-forward is real, especially in a Celtics system that values ball movement and shot-spacing. At 6'6", he’s not built like your typical NBA wing, but with Tatum out and the Celtics in need of creative lineups, Joe Mazzulla may lean into his versatility and treat him as a positionless cheat code. If Hugo adapts quickly, he could carve out real minutes and maybe even develop into a starting-caliber forward over the course of the season.

Max Shulga — PG/SG, 6'5" [Rookie]

Max Shulga wasn't a household name in this year's draft, but the Celtics might’ve found a hidden gem with the 57th overall pick. The Ukranian point guard spent much of collegiate career carving out minutes at Utah State, where his early college career was rocky. But over time, Shulga blossomed into a full-time starter and perimeter threat, showing steady growth in his shot-making and decision-making. After transferring to VCU, everything clicked. His efficiency, scoring, playmaking instincts, and rebounding all took major leaps—so much so that he began drawing legit draft consideration.

While expectations are typically low for a late second-rounder, Shulga’s performance in Summer League turned some heads. He showcased a fearless, unselfish style of play, capable of hitting tough, borderline trick shots while making smart reads and timely passes. At 6’4”, he brings a solid frame to the guard spot and doesn’t shy away from contact, attacking the rim with aggression and poise. He'll be a developmental project for now, but he’s also the kind of player who surprises people when given a real opportunity. With the Celtics reshaping their identity, don’t be shocked if Shulga ends up earning more minutes than anyone expects.

__________________________________________________________________________________

With Jayson Tatum sidelined and the roster nearly unrecognizable from the 2024 championship squad, the future in Boston is anything but certain. Does Brad Stevens know what he's doing? Or are we witnessing a risky downgrade—one that could spiral into disaster? These new additions, from promising rookies to overlooked veterans, will be tasked with holding down the fort until Tatum returns. But will that be enough? Only time will tell. The pressure is on, and the Celtics are carrying the weight of a city’s expectations. Here's hoping this isn't the uphill battle many believe it to be.

Can’t keep up with all the buzz? Stay locked in to FOSN for your latest Celtics coverage all offseason long.