The Athletic NBA Daily — "Celtics and Kings Season Preview" (September 10, 2025)

Overview

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily delivers comprehensive season previews for both the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics. Hosted by Zena Keita and Dave DeFore, with guests Morgan Reagan, Deuce Mason (both from NBC Sports California covering the Kings), and Jay King (Celtics beat reporter), the episode critically examines each franchise’s off-season changes, challenges, roster questions, and realistic expectations for 2025–26.

Sacramento Kings Season Preview

Main Theme

The Kings’ segment explores Sacramento’s continued roster evolution, the arrival of new GM Scott Perry, and head coach Doug Christie’s first full year at the helm. The conversation centers on whether the Kings can escape perpetual “hodgepodge” status, how their new pieces fit, and the organization’s ongoing quest for identity and stability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leadership and Roster Changes

• Scott Perry as GM brings a new outlook but inherits contracts and roster issues from previous regimes.
• Doug Christie now holds the head coach title after last season’s interim stint; for the first time, he enters with “his staff in place, a coaching staff that he vibes with” (16:08, Reagan).

2. Offseason Moves and Team Construction

• Dennis Schroder signed at point guard, a move made necessary after the De’Aaron Fox trade left a void at the position.
• Jonas Valanciunas replaced by Dario Saric at center, but the hosts agree that neither was a seismic upgrade.
• The “biggest move” may actually be drafting Nate Clifford, viewed as a “Swiss army knife” (04:29, Keita), and adding Maxime Renault (backup center).

3. Veteran Core vs. Young Talent

• Key veterans: DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk—players “with something to prove, chips on their shoulder” (08:37, Keita).
• Developmental pressure is on Keegan Murray (offense needs to catch up with his versatile defense) and promising defenders like Keon Ellis and Clifford.
• Squeeze for playing time: “How are you getting [Ellis and Clifford] minutes?” (06:45, Reagan).

4. Roster Fit and Identity

• The roster is “kind of in this weird land up until the [trade] deadline...if they could move some of these pieces” (07:00, Reagan).
• Offensive talent isn’t in question, but defensive liabilities (Sabonis, DeRozan, LaVine) present a major issue.
• The team’s biggest challenge: “You just never know what a rookie is going to look like necessarily in their first year” (03:50, Mo).

5. Potential Moves & Hypotheticals

• Possible pursuit of Russell Westbrook, Jonathan Kuminga discussed.
• On Kuminga: “I’m all about, if you can execute that sign and trade...because Kuminga’s got upside...it’s like, let’s take a swing at this” (18:07, Reagan).
• Concern that more veteran additions further clog developmental minutes for Clifford and Ellis.

6. The "Hodgepodge" Factor

• Hosts repeatedly use “hodgepodge” to describe the roster—a mix of mismatched pieces struggling for cohesion.
  • “It’s going to be a hodgepodge kind of year” (20:01, Mo).
  • “What’s the difference this year?...it really feels like it’s been consistently hodgepodge years” (20:53/21:46, Keita).
• Faith in small-market patience: the city “just wants the Kings to be respectable…a great fan base. So loyal.” (29:50, Reagan)

7. Season Outlook and Expectations

• If everything clicks (injury luck, coaching buy-in): “Best case…can you win 41 games? Can you be right around the same as last year?” (27:11, Reagan)
• Realistically: “Mid-30s team. Enough talent not to be awful, but they’re not good enough…defensively…to be a consistent winning team” (27:35, Reagan).
• West is loaded; Kings are likely play-in contenders at best.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Veterans Fitting In:
  “Sometimes for some of these veteran players, taking a step forward is sometimes taking a step back.” — Mo (09:34)
• On Keegan Murray:
  “He’s got to take it upon himself a little bit more…a guy who’s 6’8, that will defend, like, four positions…this is the type of player I want on my team.” — Reagan (15:31, 16:08)
• On Fan Loyalty:
  “It’s a great fan base. So loyal. It’s our team. Even when they’re battering and supporting…we’re going to have moments of belief. And that’s what makes sports fun.” — Reagan (29:50)
• On the Organizational Cycle:
  “The Beam Team year...was like a Costco sample size. We got a little taste of it and I was like, that’s it. And now it seems like it’s reverting back to some tough times.” — Reagan (24:40)

Timestamps for Segments

• Offseason moves, new GM, roster fit: 02:02-05:45
• Young players’ roles/Ellais, Murray, Clifford: 05:45-16:08
• Trade hypotheticals (Kuminga, Westbrook): 17:42-20:53
• Hodgepodge/long-term outlook: 20:53-27:35
• Fan perspective, projections: 29:10-30:23

Boston Celtics Season Preview

Main Theme

The Celtics’ segment captures a transitional moment: the defending champs are reeling from a catastrophic Jason Tatum Achilles injury and heavy offseason attrition in their frontcourt. The focus is on assessing their retooled rotation, especially with Jalen Brown stepping into the lead role, a frontcourt of question marks, and the organizational shift from contender to reset.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biggest Changes and Challenges

• Tatum’s Achilles tear leaves the team without its franchise star for most, if not all, of 2025–26.
• They lost championship-proven frontcourt players: Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford (uncertain return), and Luke Kornet.
• New additions: Chris Boucher, Luca Garza, and fringe bigs (unproven as starters).

2. Frontcourt Problems

• “Front court of totally unproven guys...they added Chris Boucher, who has started, I believe, 23 games in his career...Luca Garza, who hardly ever played in Minnesota. They kept Nemi, who was their fourth string center, now might be their starter.” — Jay King (33:49)
• At power forward: “Can they play Sam Hauser there? Can they play Jalen Brown there?” (33:49)
• The likely result: smaller lineups, more three-point shooting, weaker defense.

3. New Roles and Additions:

• Anfernee Simons (acquired from Portland) is an elite shooter but huge defensive liability; possibly only on the roster because there was little trade-market interest.
  • “It’s the biggest weak link defensively the Celtics have had since Isaiah Thomas.” (36:45, King)
• Simons is on an expiring contract and seen more as a cap/salary-maneuvering asset than a core piece.

4. Jalen Brown Ascends

• Brown now the “lead dog.” His assist numbers “close to 10/100 possessions” without Tatum last year—showing real growth as a playmaker.
• “Not just playing for his own buckets anymore. He’s seeing the game a lot differently.” — King (38:41)
• Can he sustain off-the-dribble shooting? Improve efficiency and playmaking while defenses focus on him?

5. Supporting Cast: Derrick White & Peyton Pritchard

• Derrick White is now the clear No. 2 option; needs to maintain or improve efficiency while scaling up his usage.
  • “There won’t be any room for him to be anything else this year.” (43:12, King)
• Pritchard is likely the starter at point over Simons due to superior defense.

6. Breakout Candidates and Youth

• Luca Garza: “If you look at what he’s done in a very limited minutes in the past, that guy fills up the stat sheet...helpful player.” (47:57, King)
• Depth is thin; injuries could force real minutes for rookies Jordan Walsh, Baylor Shireman.

7. Strategic Direction and Trade Market

• Celtics will be opportunistic trade-wise: “If you can find a way to solidify your front court...not just one big guy, maybe two…” (49:48, King).
• Could pivot to a youth movement or “tax moves”/salary dumping if season unravels, especially if injuries mount.
• Realistic view: “As long as they’re fully healthy, they’ll be pretty good...but there’s disaster potential if they lose just one or two guys to injury.” (52:38, King)

8. Eastern Conference Outlook

• The Celtics’ decline makes the East wide open:
  • Pressure on Cleveland to break through (55:27).
  • Orlando and Atlanta called ‘real threats’ with talent and fit, provided health and shooting progress.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Anfernee Simons:
  “It’s the biggest weak link defensively the Celtics have had since Isaiah Thomas...but I do know he’s a great volume shooter. One of the most overlooked offensive talents.” — Jay King (36:45)

• On Jalen Brown’s Growth:
  “When he played without Jason Tatum...his assists per 100 possessions were close to 10...he’s not just playing for his own buckets anymore.” — Jay King (38:41)

• On Frontcourt Woes:
  “You need Sam Hauser to stay healthy...the depth really dries up. If you could guarantee everyone would be moderately healthy, I’d say they probably win 45 to 48 games.” — Jay King (52:38)

• On Disaster Potential/Hitting Reset:
  “You could look up and it could be like the Sixers last year...things go wrong early, and you just call it and...punt on the rest of the season...and move on to when Jason Tatum is back and healthy.” — Jay King (53:01)

Timestamps for Segments

• Roster questions, frontcourt outlook: 33:35–35:41
• Anfernee Simons, salary/trade talk: 35:41–36:45
• Jalen Brown’s elevation & playmaking: 38:41–41:09
• Derrick White, Pritchard’s expanded roles: 43:03–47:11
• Breakout candidates, Garza/Pritchard: 47:57–49:28
• Team outlook, “disaster potential”: 52:34–54:44
• Wide-open East, team pressure: 54:44–58:45

Summary Table: Realistic Outcomes & Key Factors

| Team | Strengths | Key Concerns | X-Factor/Breakout Candidates | Realistic Outcome | |--------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------| | Sacramento Kings | Scoring from DeRozan, LaVine, Monk; young, versatile wings (Murray, Ellis, Clifford) | Defensive holes, “hodgepodge” roster, balancing development vs. winning, new front office & coach | Keegan Murray, Nick Clifford | Play-in range (~35–41 wins), expect trade deadline changes | | Boston Celtics | Brown’s growth, perimeter shooting, offensive upside | Lost Tatum, no reliable bigs, thin depth, Simons’ defense | Luca Garza, Peyton Pritchard | Mid-to-late playoff seed if healthy (~45–48 wins), but disaster potential if injuries hit; possible early-season pivot to reset |

Closing Thoughts & Tone

The episode’s tone is candid and realistic but never bleak. It highlights fan hopefulness in Sacramento’s loyalty and Celtics fans’ gratitude for having been perennial contenders. Ultimately, both teams are bracing for identity shifts, with the Kings hoping for a breakout in a chaotic West and the Celtics in a rebuild-by-necessity Eastern Conference.

“Sometimes believing and having hope is all you can…It’s what can carry you through an entire NBA season.” — Morgan Reagan (30:15)

For More:

• Deuce & Mo Podcast (Kings coverage, postgames, NBA/WNBA)
• Jay King’s “Anything is Potable” podcast (Celtics coverage)