NBA: Way-too-early bold pre-season playoff predictions for the 2023-24 season

NBA Jayson Tatum (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Jayson Tatum (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)
15 of 17
Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

Eastern Conference 1st seed

1. Boston Celtics 

I believe there’s a good chance that the Boston Celtics end up winning close to 70 games this season. I won’t go all the way to say that the Golden State Warriors’ 73-win record is in jeopardy but with how the Celtics’ roster looks, there’s at least an outside chance that they could give it a run. The one variable that could end up throwing off their entire season is an injury to one of their key players, particularly Kristaps Porzingis.

KP is the one addition in the offseason that completely raises the ceiling for the Celtics this season. He’s a player that adds an element that the Celtics have not had before. KP is the player that will make the Celtics pretty much unstoppable.

And the concerns that many had after the Celtics traded away Marcus Smart were pretty much diminished with the addition of Jrue Holiday. I also am pretty confident that Boston is going to address their depth concerns with an in-season move, potentially at the NBA Trade Deadline.

I would be shocked if the Celtics didn’t finish this season as the No.1 or 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.