Locked On Celtics – "How Boston Bigs Can CHANGE Celtics Summer Plans | Post-All-Star Needs"

Air Date: February 18, 2026
Host: John Karalis (w/ guest Tom Westerholm)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into how the Boston Celtics’ big man rotation could dramatically influence the team’s summer strategy and roster moves. Hosts John Karalis and Tom Westerholm break down what the Celtics need to see from their roster after the All-Star break—focusing on interior depth, evolving roles, Jaylen Brown’s development, and which bench wings might crack the playoff rotation. The tone is conversational, filled with deep Celtic analysis, road trip metaphors, and a shared optimism mixed with reality checks about team building.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Jason Tatum Update Fatigue

• Theme: Tatum's medical status & return timeline remain ambiguous, leading to media and fan speculation fatigue.
• Main Points:
  • Karalis expresses exasperation at repeated non-committal Tatum updates.
  • It’s clear Tatum simply won’t fully commit until cleared by medical staff, and that's his prerogative.
  • Quote:

    "He's never going to say I'm coming back. On this day, he's never going to say, I'm coming back. Can we just move past this?" – John Karalis (04:24)

  • Westerholm uses a cross-country road trip metaphor, likening Tatum's recovery to a trip with potential "car trouble" – you hope for smooth travel, but must prepare for setbacks.
  • Both agree recent “mile markers” (practice with G-League Maine, media appearances) are signs Tatum is nearing a return.
  • Quote:

    "All of these things are mile markers that are getting a heck of a lot closer to return this season than the alternative." – Tom Westerholm (06:03)

2. The Big Man Rotation Will Define Summer Moves

• Theme: Vucevic (referred to as "Vuch"), Neemias Queta ("Keda"), and Luka Garza could provide affordable, effective center depth—freeing resources for other roster upgrades.

a. Reassessment of Rotations Post All-Star

• Tom’s top post-break need: Clarifying the bigs’ roles. How much do Vucevic, Keda, and Garza provide—and are they enough for deep playoff and future contention?
  • Vucevic likely to start; Keda as a key bench energy/rebounder; Garza as a third-string insurance.
  • The Bulls game highlighted Vucevic’s offensive fit—he can punish opposing benches and stretch the floor.
  • Quote:

    "The number one on my list is figuring out the big rotation...I think the Bulls game really changed [my mind]. Just seeing the amount of space that Vucevic had..." – Tom Westerholm (15:12)

b. Summer Implications – Resource Allocation

• If Vuch/Keda/Garza prove good enough, Brad Stevens and the Celtics' front office are freed to use bigger assets (MLE, trade exceptions) elsewhere.
  • Quote:

    "If you say yes, then that changes who you try to sign with that mid-level. It changes who you're trading for with that 27.7 million..." – John Karalis (17:19)

  • The “cheap center” formula (three centers for ~$10M) makes sense: Celtics have historically maximized value from budget bigs.
  • The door opens to chase higher-impact wings or guards (e.g., the returning Anthony Simons at the MLE) rather than splurging on a marquee big.
  • Quote:

    "That feels like the amount of money that this Celtics team should probably be spending on centers...put all your money into the other guys." – Tom Westerholm (19:22)

c. Ripple Effects on Roster-Building

• How the bigs perform in the stretch run/postseason could reshape the pecking order and priority of summer signings —i.e., pivoting away from big men and toward scoring wings/shooting.
  • Quote:

    "This is, I think, one of the...biggest non-Tatum storylines because it really gives us a hint as to how far this team can go and then what happens next." – Tom Westerholm (21:05)

3. Jaylen Brown’s Evolution and Efficiency Crusade

• Theme: Brown’s ability to balance aggressive scoring and playmaking is critical, both while Tatum is out and after his return.

a. Key Needs for Brown Post-Break

• Karalis wants to see Brown:
  • Regain early-season midrange efficiency
  • Avoid old habits of over-driving into traffic (especially when teammates are cold)
  • Sustain his improved playmaking numbers (potential assists, passes per game up from last season)
  • Quote:

    "The Superman thing for Jalen is drawing the defense and kicking. That's your superpower. It's not going up against three guys and scoring over everybody." – John Karalis (27:15)

• Westerholm notes that Brown’s slumps often correlate with teammates missing shots he creates; urges him to keep making the right read and leveraging his gravity.
  • Quote:

    "If you're not open, chances are something has collapsed somewhere else...and you need to be willing to find that every time." – Tom Westerholm (28:06)

b. Statistical Context (31:00–32:00)

• Brown’s "potential assists" are up to 8.8 per game (from 8.3 last year); actual assists at a career-best 4.7/game.
• The hosts emphasize the need to squeeze out those “occasional stinker” games and keep the All-NBA efficiency rolling.

4. Bench Wings & Backcourt: Playoff Rotation Questions

• Theme: Depth on the wings is an embarrassment of riches, but no one has firmly claimed the 7th/8th-man role, especially crucial for playoff matchups.
  • Westerholm: Who emerges from the glut of competent “tall dudes who play a little defense and knock down the occasional three”?
  • Karalis: Surprised there’s still no clear separation in the wing group; all are “pretty good,” but none exceptional yet.
  • Quote:

    "A lot of times when nobody separates themselves, it's because everybody stinks. And it's like this year it's been...everybody's been pretty good." – Tom Westerholm (32:46)

5. Payton Pritchard as the Ultimate Sixth Man

• Theme: Pritchard thrives in a bench role—his numbers and impact soar when he's not a starter, suggesting a return to a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
  • In five bench games: 51.2 FG%, 39.5% from three, 21.8 PPG (vs 16.8 as a starter).
  • Quote:

    "He's too good to be on the bench. But he's not quite...he should be on the—he's right on that cusp, which makes him the perfect sixth man." – Tom Westerholm (35:10)

  • Karalis extols Boston’s rich tradition of legendary sixth men, asserting that excelling off the bench could cement Pritchard’s place in Celtics lore:
    • Quote:

      "If you excel in this role, all of a sudden you become part of the lore...Oh, the Sixth Man tradition...your name is being mentioned with all of the greats because you went to the bench and you're good in that role." – John Karalis (36:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "It's no longer a story. He can't be committal to it because you don't know if something's going to happen in tomorrow's scrimmage...Tell me when he's playing." – John Karalis (04:24)
• "The number one on my list is figuring out the big rotation...I think the Bulls game really changed [my mind]." – Tom Westerholm (15:12)
• "If you say yes, then that changes who you try to sign with that mid-level...It could influence the decision making on what to do with those tools to acquire players over the summer." – John Karalis (17:19)
• "Realistically, that feels like the amount of money this Celtics team should probably be spending on centers...They're so good at getting value out of cheap centers." – Tom Westerholm (19:22)
• "The Superman thing for Jalen is drawing the defense and kicking. That's your superpower." – John Karalis (27:15)
• "If you excel in this role, all of a sudden you become part of the lore...the Sixth Man tradition...your name is being mentioned with all of the greats because you went to the bench and you're good in that role." – John Karalis (36:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Tatum’s Status & Road Trip Metaphor: 02:25–10:04
• Defining the Big Man Rotation, Summer Cap Planning: 15:12–21:38
• Jaylen Brown’s Efficiency and Role: 23:53–32:04
• Bench Wings & Pritchard as Sixth Man: 32:04–36:39

Episode Tone & Style

Conversational, analytical, and often humorous with deep dives into roster construction and player development. The hosts balance optimism about the Celtics’ depth and flexibility with honest acknowledgment that the next few months will reveal which current contributors are truly foundational—and which positions need outside reinforcement.

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• The Celtics’ approach to their big man rotation for the rest of the season could free up cap space and trade assets to chase higher-ceiling upgrades elsewhere—if Vucevic, Keda, and Garza are “good enough.”
• Jaylen Brown’s ability to maintain efficiency, elevate his playmaking, and blend seamlessly with Tatum’s return is seen as a pivotal storyline for both playoff runs and legacy building.
• Sorting out the glut of capable bench wings and confirming Payton Pritchard as a Sixth Man icon are under-discussed keys to Boston’s playoff ceiling.
• All eyes are on the team’s depths—not just for the stretch run, but for how it shapes Brad Stevens’ summer plan.

For listeners wanting to understand the Celtics' post-All-Star priorities and how big-man depth could set the tone for 2026–27, this episode provides insightful, context-rich analysis with plenty of inside perspective.