Brad Stevens believes the Boston Celtics have already reached the point where they can look forward after a major offseason of change, with the arrivals of Paul George and Mike Conley helping establish a new identity for the 2026-27 season.
George and Conley officially joined the Celtics on Tuesday, September 15, alongside head coach Joe Mazzulla and general manager Stevens for their introductory press conference. Stevens emphasized that the organization is embracing the changes rather than dwelling on last season or the departure of Jaylen Brown.
Asked when Boston began moving past Brown’s absence, Stevens pointed to a familiar offseason process inside the organization.
“We had our season launch yesterday and at that I had one picture behind me while I was speaking and it was of the court being refurbished,” Stevens said. “To me every single year you go through it looks like the blank canvas of a court being absolutely redone. Nobody stepped on it. And now it’s that year’s team to write its own chapter.”
Stevens said the annual court refurbishment has become a symbolic moment for him, marking the point when attention shifts toward the upcoming season.
“Right at that moment is when you start to focus on forward,” he said. “And I think that that was that moment.”
That forward-looking approach comes after a 56-26 regular season followed by a first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia. The Celtics led the 76ers 3-1 in the series before losing Game 7, while Brown subsequently became part of the offseason changes.
Boston eventually traded Brown to Philadelphia for George and a package of future draft assets after its pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo ended without a deal. George and Conley now join a roster that retains Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Neemias Queta while adding veteran experience.
Stevens described George and Conley as accomplished players who can influence the Celtics both on and off the court.
“These two add to that list,” Stevens said of the accomplished players who have passed through Boston. “And I think Mitch too. … It’s just that’s part of a new team and there’s an excitement and anticipation every time there’s a new team.”
The Celtics also signed Mitchell Robinson and retained Queta, Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr., giving Mazzulla a roster with a different combination of experience and youth.
Stevens stressed that every season presents an opportunity to create something distinct, regardless of how much of the previous roster remains.
“Every team’s got its own opportunity to write its own chapter,” he said. “And that would be if we brought back most of our roster, there would be changes. So, I really feel that way.”
Stevens finished by expressing his confidence in the group assembled for the upcoming campaign.
“I really like this group. I really think this group will be good,” he said.
