Multiple Celtics Free Agent Signings Disrespected in New Position Rankings

Oct 10, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN: Boston Celtics forward Chris Boucher (99) slaps hands with team mates after making a basket against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Several Boston Celtics free agent additions have been dissed in a fresh expert position rankings.

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Law Murray of The Athletic has ranked Boston's projected power forward rotation of starter Chris Boucher and chief reserve Josh Minott and its anticipated center tandem of starter Neemias Queta and backup Luka Garza have both been ranked dead last among all 30 NBA teams in his new position-by-position assessment.

Boston does, however, far better in Murray's three perimeter position rankings.

The TEAM position rankings @TheAthletic has many purposes*

These are also starting lineup predictions

Even though I had the Celtics where I had them, I was already ready to see a Boucher-Queta front courthttps://t.co/RncIrE6pbF

— Law Murray 🎃 (@LawMurrayTheNU) October 11, 2025

When it comes to assessing the league's top centers, Murray opines that "it’s easy to put [No. 29-ranked] Indiana and Boston (losing Porzingis and Al Horford) at the bottom of these rankings now that they don’t have legitimate starters or even acceptable backups."

Murray doesn't think too highly of his anticipated Pacers center rotation, either, comprising Jay Huff as his expected starter and Isaiah Jackson.

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The Celtics signed Boucher, Minott and Garza to veteran's minimum deals this offseason.

Last year, Indiana opted to start 3-and-D, rim-rolling center Myles Turner and back him up using a hodgepodge of backups after Jackson and Wiseman tore their Achilles tendons mere days into the start of 2024-25. The Pacers' backups ranged from Thomas Bryant to Tony Bradley to even power forward Obi Toppin as a small-ball center option.

Now, Bradley and Wiseman are both on contracts that are not fully guaranteed heading into 205-26.

Meet the New Celtics, Not the Same as the Old Celtics

From among this revamped Celtics frontcourt, Boucher is probably the most reliable option — and the 32-year-old's ceiling has already been pretty clearly established. The 6-foot-9 Oregon product, a back-to-back champion as a non-rotation piece with the 2018 Golden State Warriors and the 2019 Toronto Raptors, enjoyed one of his better pro seasons just last year.

In 50 bouts for the 30-52 Raptors, Boucher has notched averages of 10.0 points on .492/.363/.782 shooting splits, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 dimes, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks across 17.2 minutes of action.

Garza and Minott were both part-time players on a contending Minnesota Timberwolves squad in 2024-25. The 6-foot-10 Garza, still just 26, will have plenty of opportunity to grow during his debut Boston season. He averaged 3.5 points on 49.5 percent field goal shooting and 68.6 percent free throw shooting and 1.4 rebounds per.

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.