Celtics predicted to make key change to offensive approach

Under Joe Mazzulla, the Boston Celtics have implemented a five-out offense. That means all five of the Celtics' offensive players are primarily positioned around the three-point line. Mazzulla's approach has been anchored by the fact that Boston had shooting and skill at every position.

The downside of spacing the floor around the perimeter is that offensive rebounds are more difficult to obtain. Boston didn't have a highly athletic center to command their space and dominate the glass. Yet, after a summer of change at the TD Garden, Mazzulla's approach may need to change.

That's why Jay King of The Athletic believes the Celtics will be much-improved on the offensive glass in the coming season.

“They finished 18th in offensive rebound rate last season, but have a chance to leap up the rankings with [Neemias] Queta and Luka Garza set to take on significant roles," King wrote. "When Queta was on the court last season, Boston had a 33-percent offensive rebound rate, which would have ranked in the top three leaguewide. He and Garza have been premier offensive rebounders throughout their careers, unlike two of the centers they will be replacing, [Kristaps] Porziņgis and [Al] Horford. Those guys will be missed in plenty of other ways, just not on the offensive glass.”

Boston's front court is considerably weaker than in recent years. However, the perimeter shooting is still strong throughout the guard rotation. If Mazzulla can position his bigs to dominate on the offensive glass and kick the rock out to floor-spacers on the perimeter, it could be an easy way to generate offense.

The Celtics' playmaking responsibilities must change

When healthy, Jayson Tatum is the primary playmaker for the Celtics. Unfortunately for Boston, Tatum is sidelined for the upcoming season due to an Achilles tendon injury. 

As such, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will likely shoulder more of the on-ball creation workload. Therefore, it's logical to expect some changes in how the Celtics look to generate offense, too. With Tatum in the rotation, Mazzulla's playbook often saw the Celtics create out of screening actions. Pick-and-roll, weakside pindowns, and screen the screener were all commonplace. 

Brown and White will likely go about things differently. They're both better equipped to generate offense when getting downhill. Drive-and-kick should become the primary approach. The Celtics will look to draw crowds and spray the rock to open shooters.