The Boston Celtics’ bid to defend their 2024 NBA Championship ended not with a thud, however with a limp. After coughing up two double-digit leads at residence in Video games 1 and a pair of, Boston’s season unraveled additional when Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles within the closing moments of Sport 4. With their celebrity sidelined, the Celtics fell in six video games to the surging New York Knicks.
Now, Boston enters an offseason clouded with uncertainty. Championship home windows are notoriously fickle, and whereas the Celtics had as soon as regarded poised to increase theirs for years, Tatum’s damage has compelled a tough pause. The problem isn’t nearly regrouping—it’s about redefining what subsequent season even appears to be like like.
The roster, whereas wealthy in expertise, is equally bloated with monetary commitments. Already projected to have the very best payroll within the NBA for 2025–26, Boston should now face actuality: they’re seemingly coming into a reset yr. Whether or not meaning reshuffling the roster or leaning into growth stays to be seen. However one factor is definite—the Celtics’ subsequent steps will reverberate far past only one season.
Roster Construction: Power in Stars, Burden in {Dollars}
The Celtics’ energy lies of their top-end expertise. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White kind a core unmatched in two-way versatility. However that excellence comes at a steep value. Tatum and Brown alone will account for over $107 million subsequent season. Add Porzingis and Vacation, and the quartet devours over $170 million—greater than the league’s complete wage cap.
4 straight All-NBA First Staff choices for Jayson Tatum.
The one participant within the NBA to common 25+ PPG whereas enjoying in 80% of his group’s video games in every of the final 5 seasons.
2024-25 – 26.8 PPG
2023-24 – 26.9 PPG
2022-23 – 30.1 PPG
2021-22 – 26.9 PPG
2020-21 – 26.4 PPG pic.twitter.com/MyCUDLuIve— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) Might 23, 2025
This top-heavy monetary construction severely limits Boston’s flexibility. They’re projected to be roughly $20 million over the second apron, a brand new punitive barrier within the CBA that restricts high-spending groups. It prevents aggregating salaries in trades, utilizing commerce exceptions, or together with money in offers. Groups like Boston, sitting above that line, can solely add exterior gamers on minimal contracts.
That leaves little room for reshaping the roster externally. Internally, Boston’s youth pipeline is skinny. Exterior of Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser—worthwhile however role-specific gamers—there’s no clear breakout candidate ready within the wings. Baylor Scheierman might present some youthful assist, however must take a giant bounce in his second NBA season.
The Celtics might stay proficient, however the math is obvious: with out Tatum subsequent season, this roster isn’t constructed to contend. Which implies this summer season will seemingly be much less about chasing banners and extra about managing belongings properly.
The CBA Squeeze and What Boston Can—and Can’t—Do
Being a second apron group doesn’t simply imply spending extra—it means being boxed in creatively. With projected whole salaries nearing $228 million, Boston will sit $20 million above the second apron threshold. That distinction will handcuff their flexibility in vital areas of roster administration.
They can’t use the taxpayer midlevel exception. They can’t take again extra wage in trades than they ship out. They’re restricted from executing sign-and-trades or combining participant contracts in multi-player offers. Even beforehand acquired commerce exceptions are rendered ineffective. In impact, Boston’s major technique of buying expertise is inner growth or minimal offers in free company.
The excellent news is that Boston’s contracts aren’t poisonous. Any certainly one of their core gamers—if made accessible—would draw curiosity across the league. Even somebody like Sam Hauser, who has confirmed to be a dependable bench shooter, holds commerce worth that would ease monetary pressure.
The entrance workplace can discover reshuffling some mid-tier salaries. However with out Tatum, the motivation to splurge on depth for a title run is gone. As an alternative, Boston might pivot towards conserving cap area, constructing flexibility for 2026-27, and permitting youthful or cheaper gamers the chance to earn minutes.
Free Brokers and Fringe Contributors: Selections with Objective
The Celtics may also face choices on a number of veteran function gamers. Foremost is Al Horford, the 38-year-old huge man whose management and flooring spacing stay belongings. Horford has expressed his need to return for a nineteenth season, and whereas Boston won’t provide greater than a minimal deal, his continued presence might provide each locker room stability and tactical worth.
Then there’s Luke Kornet, whose growth right into a respectable rotation heart has been one of many league’s quietest success tales. The Celtics maintain his full Chicken rights, that means they’ll re-sign him for any quantity—even whereas over the cap. Having outplayed minimal contracts the final two seasons, Kornet is due a elevate, and Boston can be sensible to maintain him. He’s inexpensive, productive, and a system match.
4 straight All-NBA First Staff choices for Jayson Tatum.
The one participant within the NBA to common 25+ PPG whereas enjoying in 80% of his group’s video games in every of the final 5 seasons.
2024-25 – 26.8 PPG
2023-24 – 26.9 PPG
2022-23 – 30.1 PPG
2021-22 – 26.9 PPG
2020-21 – 26.4 PPG pic.twitter.com/MyCUDLuIve— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) Might 23, 2025
Torrey Craig, a midseason addition, is one other case examine in value vs. competition. He’s the form of function participant a contender can plug in and belief—however with the Celtics unlikely to contend subsequent season, Craig might search for a touchdown spot on a extra instantly aggressive roster.
For Boston, the theme is consistency. Reload, don’t overextend. Use the season to judge what stays—and what must evolve.
Conclusion: Eyes on 2026, Not Simply 2025
The Celtics enter the 2025 offseason not with fireworks, however with reflection. The lack of Jayson Tatum shifts every part—from roster philosophy to monetary priorities. Their championship aspirations haven’t evaporated; they’ve solely been deferred. This upcoming season, although sobering, presents a chance: to breathe, to recalibrate, and to arrange for Tatum’s return.
Meaning constructing across the margins. Letting trusted veterans like Horford mentor whereas evaluating younger choices. Holding budget-conscious function gamers like Kornet. Shifting contracts solely when it brings long-term aid or draft capital. Boston has run at full velocity for a number of seasons. Maybe now, a calculated pause is its personal type of progress.
The banners most certainly gained’t come subsequent season. However the blueprint for the subsequent one can.
📌 2025-26 Wage Snapshot
Gamers beneath contract:
💰 Assured salaries:
🧾 Non-guaranteed salaries:
📊 Whole wage:
📉 Projected Cap & Thresholds
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Wage Cap: $154,647,000
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Luxurious Tax Threshold: $187,895,000
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First Apron Threshold: $195,945,000
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Second Apron Threshold: $207,824,000
