2012-13 Result: 41-40, 7th in Eastern Conference, lost 2-4 to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs

Key Additions: Kelly Olynyk, Vitor Faverani, Phil Pressey, Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, coach Brad Stevens

Key Departures: Kevin Garnett, Fab Melo, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, D.J. White, coach Doc Rivers

Let's face it: Boston fans won't be too happy with the way the offseason transactions have transpired. What was left of the Big Three that won the 2008 championship is gone, they are left with a mixed-nuts bag of role players and marginal double-digit scorers, and and their top player is still not yet a hundred per cent.

On the flipside, though, the recent exodus of veteran players will give the Celtics' young guns a chance to prove themselves. Courtney Lee and Avery Bradley might see their minutes go up with Jason Terry going to Brooklyn, while Jordan Crawford will see more floor burn as starting point guard Rajon Rondo is still recovering. Gerald Wallace might not exactly be Paul Pierce, but he has excellent offensive and defensive skills and might just be Boston's franchise player for the next three years behind Rajon Rondo.

The departure of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett also means that players such as Jeff Green and Brandon Bass will have more playing time. Kris Humphries, recently traded by Brooklyn, is in need of a confidence boost after averaging 13.8 points and 11 rebounds for the New Jersey Nets in 2011-12. He will get a chance to redeem himself after a forgettable first year in Brooklyn as Boston is simply shallow in the paint.

The biggest piece of the puzzle, though, is first-year head coach Brad Stevens, who was hired out of the Butler Bulldogs college programme. He might have had experience coaching in front of rabid college fans, but how will he handle expectations in Beantown? His resume is very impressive: two consecutive NCAA finals appearances, each time leading a team of undedogs and going all the way. Will his calm demeanor influence his players? We'll have the whole season to find out.

Season Prediction: As much as we'd like to be optimistic about the 2013-14 Celtics, there is not much to be excited about. Rondo's timetable is highly variable as he is coming off an ACL injury, and there is no telling if he will be 100 per cent even if he does come back. Stevens will be a stabilising factor but are fans willing to wait, especially if the Celtics face the prospect of a 50-loss season? Boston will win some games, but lose more, and will miss the playoffs in 2014.