The NBA offseason is entering its final stretch, with all 30 teams preparing for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Training camp will feature championship contenders, playoff hopefuls, and rebuilding lottery teams. While several contenders are consistently mentioned in championship conversations, including the defending champion New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs, one team seems to be flying under the radar.
The Boston Celtics could be the most underrated championship contender entering the 2026-27 NBA season.
Boston will enter the season as an arguably unexpected underdog after a major offseason roster change. Gone is All-Star guard Jaylen Brown, while former All-Star Paul George has arrived to help fill the void.
However, Brown’s departure does not necessarily mean it is all doom and gloom for the Celtics.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism in Boston is the expected return of Jayson Tatum.
Tatum is entering his first full season since recovering from a torn Achilles suffered during the 2025 NBA playoffs. He played just 16 games last season and was unavailable for Boston’s win-or-go-home Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.
Tatum’s health will be crucial if the Celtics hope to bounce back from their disappointing early playoff exit.
Despite Tatum’s limited availability, Boston still won 56 games during the 2025-26 regular season. Jaylen Brown emerged as the team’s primary option, but there is no reason to believe Tatum cannot return to that role next season.
If Tatum is healthy and back to his All-NBA level, Boston could once again become one of the Eastern Conference’s most dangerous teams.
Despite losing Brown and Nikola Vucevic, Boston is bringing back much of its 2025-26 roster.
Several key members of the Celtics’ 2024 championship team remain, including Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser.
That championship experience could prove extremely valuable.
The Eastern Conference features several talented teams, but not every contender has players with recent championship experience. Boston’s core already knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
The Celtics will also add several veterans who could make an immediate impact.
Paul George has an opportunity to revitalize his career in Boston.
The former All-Star may no longer be the player he was during his prime, but he can still provide Boston with another reliable scoring option alongside Tatum.
George also fits naturally into the Celtics’ three-point-heavy offensive system under head coach Joe Mazzulla.
His shooting could be particularly valuable. George shot 49% from three-point range during the 2026 NBA playoffs while also posting a 45% overall field-goal percentage.
That represented an improvement from his 41% field-goal percentage during the 2024 playoffs.
Boston does not necessarily need George to become its second superstar. If he can embrace his role as a complementary scorer and knock down open shots consistently, he could become one of the Celtics’ most important additions.
Mitchell Robinson will also join Boston after playing an important role in the New York Knicks’ championship run.
Robinson’s offensive production has never been his biggest strength, but he can impact games in other ways.
His defense and offensive rebounding provide Boston with an interior presence that could become particularly important during the playoffs.
The Celtics already have plenty of perimeter talent. Adding a physical big man who can protect the rim and create additional possessions through offensive rebounds could give Boston another dimension.
Mike Conley provides something else the Celtics need: veteran leadership.
Conley is approaching 40 years old and is no longer the star he was earlier in his career. However, his experience could be extremely valuable for a Boston team that will rely on several young players.
Players such as Hugo Gonzalez, Ron Harper Jr., Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh could benefit from having a veteran like Conley around the locker room.
Conley’s impact may not always show up in the box score.
His ability to mentor younger players, provide leadership, and help maintain composure during difficult stretches could make him an important piece of Boston’s roster.
Another major storyline for Boston will be Derrick White’s potential bounce-back season.
White arguably endured the worst season of his NBA career in 2025-26. He shot just 39% from the field and 32% from three-point range during the regular season.
His playoff performance was even more concerning.
White averaged just 11 points per game while shooting 32% from the field and 27% from three-point range.
Needless to say, it was a disappointing season for one of Boston’s most important players.
However, one poor season does not necessarily define White’s career.
The Celtics will need him to return closer to the player they saw during their championship run. A bounce-back season from White would significantly improve Boston’s chances of remaining near the top of the Eastern Conference.
So, who is the most underrated championship contender entering the 2026-27 NBA season?
The Boston Celtics have a legitimate argument.
Losing Jaylen Brown is a significant blow, but Boston still has Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser returning from its championship core.
The additions of Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley also give the roster a combination of scoring, defense, rebounding, shooting, and veteran leadership.
Most importantly, Boston won 56 games last season despite Tatum playing only 16 games.
If Tatum returns healthy, George fits into the offense, Robinson provides consistent interior defense, and White rebounds from a disappointing season, the Celtics could once again be a major threat in the Eastern Conference.
The regular season will bring plenty of intriguing storylines, but Boston’s attempt to bounce back from a first-round exit could be one of the most interesting.
The Celtics may not receive the same attention as some of the Eastern Conference’s other contenders, but that could make them one of the NBA’s most dangerous under-the-radar teams entering the 2026-27 season.
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