After winning a title in 2024, the Celtics brought back essentially the same team this season, parting ways with only a couple reserves. No NBA team retained more players from the end of the 2023/24 season to the start of ’24/25 than Boston (15).
However, even if the Celtics repeat as champions this spring, they’re unlikely to maintain that sort of continuity going forward, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show this week (YouTube link), Charania said Boston is widely expected to make cost-cutting moves that will impact its roster this offseason.
“The rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to come to the Celtics roster this offseason,” Charania said (hat tip to RealGM). “Sources have been telling me for weeks now that the Celtics will be exploring trade options in the offseason.
“This iteration just is not going to be sustainable for this team and no one around the organization – from players to staffers – would be surprised if there are changes coming to this roster. Because when you think about the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s restrictions that come with trades, there’s restrictions that come with freezing of draft picks. That’s all stuff that they’re dealing with right now.”
As Charania observes, star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will both be on super-max contracts in 2025/26 and beyond, with Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday also set to earn between $28.1MM and $32.4MM apiece next season. Those five players on their own will earn a combined $198.5MM, which exceeds the projected first tax apron ($195.9MM).
In total, Boston has about $221MM in guaranteed money committed to nine players and will still need to add at least five more players to that count. Even if those last five players are earning minimum-salary deals, the Celtics’ team salary would soar past the second apron ($207.8MM), setting the club up to pay a massive tax bill as the more punitive repeater penalties go into effect. It would also place serious limitations on what the front office can do in free agency and on the trade market.
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What form Boston’s roster changes take remains an open question, one that figures to be decided at least in part by how the team performs during the remainder of its postseason run. While it’s possible a starter like Porzingis or Holiday ends up on the trade block this summer, the team also may look to make tweaks around the edges, perhaps including a role player like Sam Hauser.
If the Celtics’ new ownership group is comfortable paying substantial tax penalties, there won’t necessarily be urgency to get below the second apron right away, but the longer the team continues to operate above that threshold, the more limited its roster-building options become — a team that remains above the second apron for several years at a time would have a handful of future first-round picks “frozen” (ineligible to be traded) and moved to the back of the first round.
For now, Boston’s focus is on winning a second consecutive title, but teams around the NBA are keeping an eye on the defending champions and are curious to see what’s in store for them this offseason, according to Charania.
“None of these changes are at the top of mind for the Celtics now, they can’t be,” Charania said. “This is obviously the most talented team in the league. I think a lot of people would agree with that. So these are good problems to have, but the league is bracing for some level of change to come to this Celtics roster in the offseason.”
The owners closing the contention window themselves, proudly and openly. What a disgrace. NBA should step in and prevent this.
Boston is not the Lakers, they built the team via the draft, smart trades and development. And then they paid all of the players who won a championship.
Isn’t that what the League, teams, coaches and players have been clamoring about for years?
Boston dumped their expensive players for a trade that worked out for them. ”
Boston drafted well, drafting Tatum and Brown plus a few development players like Pritchard and Hauser.
Boston got a discount for Tatum and Browns early years and then paid them TOP contracts as per the Supermax bc both played exceptionally for the early part of their contracts.
Boston made super smart deals for White, Holiday, Porzingis.
Boston added key FAs like Luke Kornet.
Boston kept their draft assets and drafted new development players like Shinnerman.
Boston won the Championship.
Boston paid EVERYONE.
I think it’s a shame, really. This is not a add three stars and add water team, Boston is the organization that should be followed.
Yes, they got really lucky on the Nets trade and that Philly is so dumb as to give them an extra pick for the rights to draft Jason Tatum.
Yes, part of their success is Brad Stevens, but hey other teams can hire guys like Stevens as well. Not every GM should be a former Agent or assistant GM.
IF the Celtics win this season, this is a HARD decision whether to not break up the team and go for 3 in a row.
same thing happened to the warriors. boston isnt the first wont be the last. theyll be ight
This isnt anything like the Warriors. This is a cheapskate owner making his product worse on purpose just so he can make more profits on top of the billions they already have.
It’s not just about money, though. Remaining above the second apron leads to severe trade restrictions, limiting their roster-building flexibility
This has nothing to do with that though.
Proof?
Pathetic
Don’t let the BS talk fool you, this is only about money here
Apron 2 can be a beeotch but only if your not already a made man yet (think Phx)
Boston is so the restrictions don’t mean all that much…its money just money here that’s the big problem . Seems these (very ill timed leaks) are the new front office getting out ahead of it (why, idk)
Despite what’s being floated, if they win it all again this year, I do not believe they’ll make any significant move based on $$ alone this offseason. The opportunity to get 3 in a row is too special. But what if they don’t win it all?
Do they enter 2025-26 unchanged despite the fact that Holiday will be 35 and signed for 3 more years through his age 38 season (he’s been amazing, but this might be the last off season that he’ll be tradable for value)-?
Do they just extend KP this offseason at the going rate (with a contract is up after next season, many organizations would say he almost has to be extended or traded this offseason)-?
Their bench guys are good for spelling the starters, but none of them (who aren’t going on 39) are full year replacements for them. A year removed from a championship, a reset around Tatum, Brown and White might give them better odds over the 3-5 following years, vs just 2025-26. BOS’s situation is a bit different than most contenders, because their superstars are the youngest players in their core. This kind of a reset could be a basketball undertaking, and getting to more comfortable apron situation could be on that basis.
They would have no penalties for running it back next year – The silly frozen picks (I cant even believe that’s real until I type it out) wouldn’t start till after next year.
At bare min run it back next year. Its just a shame we may never see truly great teams built and survive any more…and for what …to reward tankers After next year they could get into parceling Holiday and can make a call on KP at his price point if it seems team friendly enough but theres no need to distrupt next years team regardless of what happens this year IMO
I DO also think its very money adjacent as well. These aprons are 90% about giving cover to owners to NOT spend . Super gross and it waters down the league, Id be disgusted if I was Celtic fan today. Bill Simmons has a great new podcast on this that I think is perfectly layed out and theres a lot of anger from him as a Celts fan as well with this silly CBA
I disagree with other commenters here. I think that this is simply other front offices understanding that there is no way to keep this roster together long term under the CBA without incurring very significant non-financial penalties. They probably have to break this up somehow, and possibly as soon as this summer. Personally, I’d be somewhat surprised if they are able to keep more than one of KP, Jrue, and White.
You sound like billionaires dont have unlimited money – newsflash, they do. They can easily afford to pay everyone and run the team at a loss in favor of titles. This owner attitude is destroying all USA sports leagues right now. It should be made illegal.
Here’s another newsflash – billionaire owners didn’t become billionaires by losing money. The money figures in pro sports are so outrageous now that there’s no way around the billionaires… and as you stated, money is more important than chips to business people.
“billionaire owners didn’t become billionaires by losing money” – that’s absolute cap, Elon is one example that being false. He got more money in govt subsidies than he made. Boom. There goes your point.
The league CAN regulate this to force owners to put the best team they can on the court every year, that’s my point!
Elon didn’t get any subsidies, Tesla did. If you don’t even understand that distinction, then this is not the topic for you.
You’re all ignoring what Soxygen said about non-financial penalties. So if the Celts keep it together and remain over the second apron they will have future firsts frozen meaning they will be at a severe disadvantage when eventually rebuilding or perhaps trading pieces to give it one more go while the J’s are still able. So yes, money is definitely a factor but also legit limitations by the NBA. I assume that both Jrue and Porzingis would be gone. Would give them a lot ore flexibility and would make the new owners pockets more palatable.
I just don’t want to hear the bitching out of Boston when this ends. 1 title or 2 they will be turned on by Boston media for not spending the money to keep it together ignoring the other implication, much like the comments above.
Other implications??….sounds good except there isn’t any for holding next years team as is outside of money
Look, people with money will always come up with great excuses as to why they pocket it…Don’t bite on this BS , its a money grab
Lacob or Ballmer or Ishbia don’t even question this they blow right past it….You know why…cause money doesnt matter to them …helll freeze my pick if Im a top 3 team current year 7 years out…go for it Mr Silver, keep it in your medicine cabinet next to your head glow you swarmy weirdo is what they’d say
Its money man, it usually always is and is here. These aprons were approved to lay cover for the front offices when times like these came to pocket cash … Looks likes its working just as planned
@reflect
Yeah and Elon took those Tesla subsidies and pocketed them.
Elon also absolutely has gotten subsidies that went directly to him – you are lying if you say otherwise.
Stay wrong.
I expect Holiday to be elsewhere next season. The Cs need to get younger in the backcourt.
That is who I think is gone as well.
$30 million, he will get you something in return.
Slow news day.
Owners who don’t care about winning wanted these stupid aprons and extra penalties. To be penalized for wanting to win is crazy, yet they bash teams who tank and want they to face consequences for losing, so which is it?????
What I’ve heard is that the new Celtic owners do not want to pay the penalty tax for going over the salary cap. They are believed they will be in 2026 season at the salary cap limit if they keep the team as is. The question will be asked do they stay intact without any salary cap room, or do they go against their will which is not to have to pay the penalty tax for 2026 for going over the salary cap with all the bonus’s and increase with the existing team payroll.
The writing is on the wall and it says Jrue Holliday will be a cap casualty this offseason. Horford’s salary will also come off the books when he retires.
Pritchard was set up to be Holliday’s successor all along and has proven that he can play as the starting PG for this team. This team will continue to chug along next season as well.
It’s not like they can just trade guys for nothing they’ll have to take back contracts. It makes no sense to trade KP he is already on an expiring deal. So you’re thinking White and Jrue and for mostly expiring contracts.
Lakers are probably a team that would be interested in both and have 4 expiring deals they would trade.
Nico can be suckered into a trade for sure.
I don’t see them dealing with anyone in the East.
Trading one saves them like 100M in tax.
White has to stay. You can’t trade both guys that would be too big of a hit.
Al and Jrue.
In other news, water makes things wet
Jrue is 34 and got multiple seasons on his deals collecting 30mil.
Trade him while people believe he is still an assets and worth giving things up for.
Yes he’s a great defender but Celtics have good defenders with White Brown Tatum and so on.
Potential deals…
1. Holiday, the 28th and 32nd picks in the draft for Norman Powell, Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks and pick 51.
Powell can start or come off the bench. Dunn provides the elite defence and Eubanks is a quality back up big. All 3 on cheap deals giving their ability.
Clippers add another star Harden Holiday Leonard and Zu. Needing cheap valuable depth to go with Batum, DJJ and Bogdanovic
2. Jrue Holiday for Grant Williams, Josh Green, picks 33 and 34 and a future second round pick
Celtics save 5mil in player salaries right away. Green and Williams both useful role players and Grant has been here knows the system. Plus you add 2 early seconds and a future pick which gives you cheap depth. Celtics then have 4 picks from 28-34.
Hornets add some experience and defence to partner LaMelo Ball in the backcourt. In a clear move to be a lot better all of a sudden, you’ve also got the 3rd overall pick, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Jusif Nurkic, Mark Williams and last years pick Salaun.
3. Jrue Holiday and the 28th overall pick for Marcus Smart, Saqid Bey and the 18th pick
Celtics bring back Smart who is almost a like for like swap with Holiday albeit slightly worse lol. Bey after missing a whole season comes to Boston and provides good 3 and D forward depth and you move 10 places up in the draft and save about 5mil in cap space.
Washington still hold a weird rebuilding but have good veterans roster. Holiday and Middleton are stuck with the likes of Carrington Poole Coulibaly Sarr and so on.
Then just for a laugh
Jaylen Brown and the 28th pick for Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke.
Bane Brown and JJJ for a new era in Memphis.
Ja and Tatum as a duo?
Holiday and a first for Josh Hart + Mitch Robinson
NY just going crazy stacked starting 5
Celtics add a versatile wing and back up big
Morant in Boston would be an interesting watch haha
I think if they can get something decent for porzingas, holiday and Hauser then why the heck not! They would still have the core of the group and could actually get better…
Since the Warriors core is already mid 30s, I think adding one of my favorite players like Jrue Holliday would be amazing.
I think he still has enough gas in the tank to be effective next year with the other old timers already on Golden State.
Send over a freshly re-signed Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, And a couple second round pics?
I’m not sure how the Celtics accomplish what is presented here in this article?
How do you reduce payroll when there’s may be just one or two teams in the league with Space to absorb Jrue Holiday’s 30 million and don’t have to send 30 million back to the Celtics?
So I guess with that reasoning, the Celtics would be looking to send out holiday and bring back two younger guys who make less money like 15+15 or 20+10 and get a draft pick out of it?
So the payroll essentially will be the same next year but I guess they get younger and divide the high salary if 1 guy at 30 into two or three guys?