Jrue Holiday reveals why the Celtics have a “head start” for the 2024-25 season

The Boston Celtics are ready to defend their title. After making the playoffs last season, the C’s bring back almost the exact same team – a huge advantage.

The Celtics were not in danger of losing their championship team this offseason, but they made some important moves to keep the team together for the foreseeable future. They extended the contracts of Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Sam Hauser this offseason (plus an extension for Jrue Holiday before the playoffs) and also re-signed Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet and Neemias Qeuta. The only departure was Svi Mykhailiuk, who went to the Utah Jazz, and they brought in rookie wing Baylor Scheierman.

That level of continuity will help Boston a lot. Holiday said it gives the Celtics an “edge over other teams,” according to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald.

Celtics enter the 2024-25 season as championship favorites

Everyone will be gunning for the Celtics this season, but that doesn’t mean anyone can catch them. All of their main competitors need to sign new starters, which should make them better, but Boston has already done that.

The Philadelphia 76ers are definitely better with the signings of Paul George and Caleb Martin, but it will be an adjustment to get them. The New York Knicks are improving their chemistry with the signing of another Villanova star, Mikal Bridges, so they have some key rotation moves to consider, especially with Isaiah Hartenstein gone. Both those teams and Eastern Conference opponents could make further adjustments during the season, which will require further adjustments.

It’s better to make these improvements than not to make them, but it may take some time to get it right. Not only do the Celtics not have to worry about signing new starters, but even with these new additions, the other teams likely won’t reach their level. Boston has many signs of being an all-time great team. As great as the Sixers’ trio of stars and the Knicks’ superpowered team are, the Celtics have those strengths too. They have the best starting lineup in basketball and plenty of help off the bench.

Holiday is becoming more comfortable in Boston after being abruptly traded there just before last season, and with the team now established and excellent, it will take a lot to topple the Celtics.