[1] The team hired Doc Rivers to be their head coach for the upcoming season.
During the offseason, the Celtics acquired All-Star guard Gary Payton, and former Celtics forward Rick Fox from the Los Angeles Lakers, but Fox would retire before the season.
At midseason, Payton was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for former Celtic All-Star forward Antoine Walker.
The team went on a 7-game winning streak in March, finishing first place in the Atlantic Division with a 45–37 record.
Following the season, Walker was traded to the Miami Heat, while Payton went along with him signing as a free agent.