Fortunes can change quickly in the modern NBA. Just ask the Celtics.

At this time last year, Boston had its sights on back-to-back championships after winning it all in 2024 and returning its entire star-studded rotation. Fast forward 12 months, and half of that rotation is gone, sacrificed at the altar of the second-apron overlords.

Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were traded for luxury tax relief. Luke Kornet got paid in free agency. Al Horford remained unsigned as of Monday, but the Celtics are not expecting him back. Most of the players brought in to replace them are career backups.

Add in the major injury that will sideline its best player, Jayson Tatum, for at least a large portion of this season, and Joe Mazzulla’s club suddenly looks like a team that, rather than competing f

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