Projecting the Boston Celtics Starting 5 After Busy Offseason

The Boston Celtics have undergone somewhat of a roster overhaul this offseason after they lost both Kyrie Irving and Al Hoford in the early stages of free agency.

General manager Danny Ainge responded by adding All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and double-double machine Enes Kanter to the mix. In sum, the C's lineup will look mighty different in 2019-2019. Let's take a look at the starting five that Brad Stevens is likely to line up with out of the gates in October.

1. PG: Kemba Walker

Golden State Warriors v Charlotte Hornets / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Cardiac Kemba will be motivated to make a HUGE impression in his first season in a Boston jersey, as he claimed the driving factor for leaving Charlotte is the C's current position to advance deep in the playoffs. On top of it all, he's coming off a career year, averaging 25.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. He'll shine at TD Garden.

2. SG: Marcus Smart

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Like him or not, Smart has been one of Brad Stevens' most crucial components over the last three seasons. His relentless effort and elite defense supersede his limitations on the offensive side of things. Regardless, there's already plenty of offensive weapons in this starting five.

3. SF: Jayson Tatum

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Tatum didn't make the jump that virtually every skeptic and pundit expected him to in his sophomore season. His points per game average increased by a lowly 1.8 clip. The 21-year-old still shot 46.1% overall from the floor and an elite 37.3% from distance and perhaps he'll form more of a rapport with Kemba than he did with Kyrie.

4. PF: Gordon Hayward

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Hayward gets the nod after starting in just 18 of the 72 games he appeared in last season and he'll likely rotate with Tatum at the four in the early stages of 2019-2020. Gordon showed flashes of the All-Star player he was before his devastating leg injury in 2017 and will need to come out hot to keep his spot in the starting five.

5. C: Enes Kanter

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Kanter's inclusion is premature and could easily change if the Celtics make a move for a big. DeMarcus Cousins is still on the free agent market and Clint Capela could be acquired in a trade with Houston. In the meantime, however, Enes and his 13.7 points and 9.8 rebounds averages from last season will look to make a big impression on his new Boston teammates. Expect Daniel Theis, however, to rotate heavily with the Turkish big man for defensive purposes.