Boston Celtics overhaul roster with Paul George trade and center lineup debate

The Boston Celtics entered the offseason by trading forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for veteran wing Paul George and two future first‑round picks. In addition, the team signed free‑agent center Mitchell Robinson to a three‑year deal, extended center Neemias Queta for four years, and added veteran guard Mike Conley and wing Ron Harper Jr. to the roster.

Analysts are debating the starting center role, weighing Queta’s familiarity with the Celtics system against Robinson’s rim‑protection ability and durability concerns. Robinson has appeared in only about 60 % of his possible games, while Queta has shown steady improvement over three seasons in Boston.

The moves shift the Celtics’ strategy toward a blend of experienced stop‑gaps and developing home‑grown talent, affecting their standing in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference that now includes a champion New York Knicks and a Miami Heat bolstered by Giannis Antetokounmpo.