Can the Boston Celtics make an NBA Finals run even without Jaylen Brown?
Former Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins certainly doesn’t think so, and he let his feelings be known during an episode of “First Take” ahead of NBA Opening Night.
“Hell no,” Perkins said when asked if the Celtics are contenders. “No. They don’t have the personnel. Jayson Tatum is on the clock…Jayson Tatum is one of those guys who is under the most pressure.”
"Hell no." —@KendrickPerkins on the Celtics being contenders this season 😳 https://t.co/N33YbFRRFD
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 20, 2026
Perkins even said the Celtics will make the postseason in the play-in tournament.
Boston traded away superstar Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George and more. The Celtics also signed former New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, so they still have a talented roster despite Brown’s departure.
Entering the 2026-27 NBA season, the Eastern Conference seems to be a toss-up. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst even said in September that he doesn’t view the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers as a top-6 team in the East.
The New York Knicks are fresh off an NBA title, but none of the 15 ESPN experts picked them to repeat this season.
Despite all of that, Perkins still doesn’t view Boston as a title threat. The Celtics begin the season on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.
