While questions surround Paul George and the 2026-27 Celtics, one NBA insider is bullish on how Jayson Tatum and co. will measure up against the competition in the Eastern Conference. Ahead of Tatum's first full season without Jaylen Brown and since his Achilles tear in 2025, he's earned the benefit of the doubt.

Three months removed from their blockbuster trade with the 76ers, the Celtics could be better than most are giving them credit for, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.

“I'm starting to be talked into liking Boston more than I thought I would in the immediate aftermath of the Jaylen Brown trade,” Mannix said. “The Jaylen Brown trade goes on, and I'm like, alright, they're not championship contenders. And I still don't think they're championship contenders. I still think they have a playoff ceiling. But as far as the regular season goes, I think this team can get the number one seed.

“There's obvious variables. Paul George has to be healthy. Gotta give you 60-ish games. Tatum has got to be all the way back from the Achilles tear. And usually, even though he played well coming back from the Achilles injury, at lightning speed, he was not the same Jayson Tatum. Those two legs were physically different. We'll see what he's looking like going into this year.”

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The Celtics' free-agent signing of Mitchell Robinson, who helped the New York Knicks win their first title in 53 years last season, should give head coach Joe Mazzulla a significant lift in the frontcourt in 2026-27.

“But I like the depth that they have. I think Mitchell Robinson is going to be a huge weapon for them,” Mannix added. “That's something they were lacking, and Mitchell Robinson is a Joe Mazzulla kind of guy. A guy that will go out there, play 20 minutes a game, gobble up 10 rebounds or more, block some shots, and just be a presence. The kind of presence that Neemias Queta, with all due respect, wasn't able to give them, at least, not in the games that counted.

“I think Payton Pritchard will play even better this year. I think he's ready for another step forward. I'm talking myself into believing that the Celtics can be the number one seed,” Mannix concluded.

While a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, which is integrating seven new players into its system, may need time to find its stride, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, who have won 50+ games over the past five consecutive seasons, could raise eyebrows this upcoming season.