With the acquisition of Jrue Holiday, the Celtics can ship out what can be one of the fearsome beginning fives within the NBA alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis. But with three weeks earlier than the common season begins, C’s coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t making any lineup declarations simply but.

“We put thought into that,” Mazzulla mentioned. “I think with the roster that we have, I thought that something that was good for us last year was our ability to go back and forth with double big and playing small. So I’ve put thought into it. I haven’t really come across what the best way to go about that is yet, but I want to be as open-minded as we can, knowing that we have a lot of flexibility in the backcourt and in the frontcourt.”

The aforementioned unit appears the most definitely, on condition that Mazzulla already introduced White as the place to begin guard this summer season and the large costs the Celtics paid for Holiday and Porzingis. It would ship Al Horford – who has began each recreation he’s performed with the Celtics – to the bench.

Horford has expressed prior to now that his choice is to start out. Asked if he nonetheless needed to start out, the veteran deferred to Mazzulla.

“It’s been a lot going on with everything, but for me, we have such a special group here,” Horford mentioned. “We’re all ready to put in the work to get started, and to put ourselves in the best position. So that’s something Joe will have to address and determine, but for me, I’m excited to be in this position and have this opportunity with our team.”

Mazzulla acknowledged Tuesday that lineups could also be adjusted primarily based on matchups. The Celtics had success with each smaller and double-big lineups final season, and there will definitely be conditions the place Porzingis and Horford share the ground. The Celtics will experiment with every part within the preseason as they consider what works greatest for his or her personnel.

“I think we have to have a level of flexibility in order for us to maximize our roster on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla mentioned. “And I think flexibility and malleability and the ability to go to different matchup has to be a strength of ours. And so there will be a time where we say, like, this is what we’re doing. But I think we have to be as open-minded as possible to play in those different ways.”

Tatum talks Lillard recruiting

There had been experiences this summer season that Tatum tried recruiting Damian Lillard to the Celtics. Lillard had a transparent choice to hitch the Heat however the Blazers finally didn’t make a cope with them, sending the famous person guard to the Bucks as a substitute.

Tatum opened up about his talks with Lillard in an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich” that aired on Tuesday, however didn’t have any laborious emotions towards Lillard that he didn’t wish to come to Boston.

“Dame is somebody that I have a really great relationship with, known him for a long time and one, we played on the USA team together, won a gold medal, so somebody I talked to frequently and kind of just told him, ‘Boston would love to have you if you ever consider it,’ ” Tatum mentioned. “I wasn’t like attempting to vary his thoughts. Somebody has their thoughts made up, you must respect it. But we talked on FaceTime occasionally, so each from time to time I’d be like, ‘Yo, Boston is a great place, if you didn’t know.’ …

“People like what they like, and that’s fair. If somebody wants to go somewhere, you can’t be mad at them. Like, everybody is entitled to feel how they feel and to be able to go where they want.”

Stevens joins fold

After spending the primary three seasons of his profession with the Cavs, ahead Lamar Stevens joined the Celtics on a coaching camp deal as he appears to battle for a roster spot. He mentioned Tuesday the Celtics’ “winning culture” was the rationale he signed with them. A robust defender, Stevens mentioned he needs to assist change what Marcus Smart and Grant Williams left behind.

“I think I can step right into that,” Stevens mentioned. “Adding Jrue on the defensive end and me, I feel like those are roles that can be filled right in, and I’m excited for that opportunity to bring what I bring to the team. Hopefully it can uplift us. Our main goal is to win each day, so I think we can help with that.”

Tip-ins

Porzingis mentioned he felt good after his first coaching camp follow with the Celtics on Tuesday as he works his manner again from plantar fasciitis in his proper foot. “Foot feels great, very happy with the progress,” Porzingis mentioned. “Looking forward to finishing this week strong and having everything go according to plan.” …

Mazzulla mentioned the Celtics may have some two-a-days to start out coaching camp this week as they put together for his or her first preseason recreation on Sunday. …

Holiday was noticed on the Auerbach Center for the staff’s first follow, however solely as a spectator because the Celtics waited for physicals on each side of the commerce to be accomplished. Holiday is predicted to be launched in a press convention on Wednesday. …

The Celtics introduced the signing of middle Wenyen Gabriel to a coaching camp deal. Gabriel, who spent final season with the Lakers, will look to battle for a roster spot because the Celtics search some frontcourt depth after the departure of Robert Williams.