The Boston Celtics have been the NBA’s best franchise over the last decade. However, the Celtics are facing significant salary cap issues and are expected to make some roster adjustments. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the C’s don’t want to completely overhaul their roster as they prefer to keep Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
“Are teams making big offers and calling about Jaylen Brown and Derrick White? One hundred percent,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show yesterday. The Celtics prefer not to trade them, from my understanding. But listen, if they get a big offer, they have to look at everything.”
Celtics Reportedly Don’t Want To Go Into Full Rebuild, Analyzing What They Should Do This Offseason
Boston had a disappointing end as the Celtics tried to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Golden State Warriors 2017-18. Even though the Celtics’ season came to a crashing close this year, they still won 60 games for the second consecutive season — the first time the franchise has accomplished this feat since the late 2000s — and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, the Celtics have an NBA-best record of 522-278, with one championship and two appearances in the NBA Finals. They have also won a playoff series seven times during this stretch, reaching the Conference Finals on six occasions.
But D-Day is coming for the Celtics, who have spent freely recently. The Celtics have 13 players under contract for the 2025-26 season with a salary cap hit of $227.78 million. That puts C’s nearly $20 million over the NBA’s second apron. So, some difficult decisions are forthcoming.
Celtics Upcoming Decision
“The CBA has been well known for years, Celtics President Brad Stevens said back in May. “So there are penalties associated with being at certain levels, and we know that. You just weigh where we are. You weigh everything else, then you make those decisions.”
The Celtics face some serious consequences if they remain over the second apron. Suppose the Celtics don’t get below the punitive threshold. They won’t be able to aggregate contracts in a trade, use more than 100% of the traded player exception, use a pre-existing trade exception, sign a player who was waived and had a salary of at least $14.1 million, and send out cash.
Bobby Marks of ESPN called the most significant impact for the Celtics “will be their inability to trade its first-round pick seven years out if the team finishes the season over the apron.” Marks added that “the Celtics are not allowed to trade their 2032 first-rounder and are facing a scenario that 2033 is not tradeable if they finish next season over the apron.”
Boston has five players making over $30 million a season, including Jayson Tatum and Brown having max contracts. Tatum, who will miss at least the majority of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon during the playoffs, is the Celtics’ franchise player and is the only untouchable player. Yahoo Sports Kevin O’Connor stated that teams have already made offers for White and Brown.
Jaylen Brown
While Tatum is the unquestioned franchise player, Brown is 1A for the Celtics. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP did struggle a little bit shooting the ball, but he finished the campaign with a career-best 4.5 dimes a game. The 28-year-old will make $53.1 million of the $235 million he is owed over the next four seasons.
“Brown, a four-time All-Star, has massive value if Boston opts to dangle him in trade discussions,” Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston said. “Although sending Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a popular talking point, one up-and-coming Western Conference team seems like a more realistic trade partner.”
The Celtics announced, via X, that Brown underwent a successful right knee arthroscopic debridement procedure. The team added that he is expected to be fully healthy for training camp.
“The team I’d watch the closest with Jaylen Brown is probably the [San Antonio] Spurs,” Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated said Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season special.
Derrick White
White is arguably the Celtics’ third-best player and their third most valuable. The 30-year-old signed a four-year, $125.8 million extension last summer.
White, a two-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team selection, produced a career-best 16.2 points a game this past season. White has become primarily a three-point shooter, although he remains a solid rebounder and distributor. He averages 2.5 triples a game, making them at a 38.2% clip.
“White has massive trade value entering a summer in which the C’s will look to shed salary and get under the second apron of the luxury tax.” Leger wrote in another article. “It would hurt to part ways with the beloved All-Defensive guard, but Boston could get a haul for him if it opts to undergo a full offseason reboot.”
Lowe said a few weeks ago that the Golden State Warriors are one team that has an interest in White.
Other Trade Candidates and Free Agents
I don’t expect Boston to trade either Brown or White. The Celtics have said that they don’t want to part with either one, and they have the power to determine their fate. Plus, the Celtics have other trade chips to get under their salary hell.
Boston has 13 players under contract for the upcoming season. One of the first decisions the Celtics, who own the No. 28 and No. 32 picks in 2025, will likely have to make is whether to exercise JD Davison‘s non-guaranteed option. Davison hasn’t played much for the Celtics during his three-year career; however, he was named the 2024-25 G League MVP. So, expect the Celtics to exercise the option.
Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta have contracts that do not guarantee them until opening night. However, Walsh is extension-eligible, although the Celtics are likely to pass. While the 21-year-old saw action in 52 contests last season, he saw under eight minutes of floor time.
Celtics 2025 Free Agents
Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Torrey Craig are unrestricted free agents. Craig will certainly not be back in Beantown. Drew Peterson, on a two-way deal, projects to be a restricted free agent.
I also don’t expect Horford, who could retire, to return to the team. Horford remains very reliable at 39 years old, although his production has declined in the last few seasons. He is likely too expensive for the Celtics, and other teams, such as Denver and New York, may be interested.
Meanwhile, Kornet could return to a Celtics uniform, though he is likely to draw interest from other teams. The 29-year-old had a career season last year and has proven to be a solid role player. He is expected to receive a raise. Nate Duffett of NBA Canada believes that the Los Angeles Lakers would be fantastic for the 7-2 center.
Trade Candidates Continued
Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Sam Hauser are the most likely players to be traded this offseason.
“The primary focus, from my understanding, with the Celtics’ offseason has been Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, (and) Sam Hauser, their trade markets,” Charania said when talking about the Celtics preference of not trading Brown and White.”
Kristaps Porzingis
Prozingis is the most likely player to be traded by the Celtics this offseason. Porzingis has been very productive with the Celtics, but his problem has been staying healthy. He will earn $30.7 million this upcoming season, although it is the final year of his current deal. So, he is likely moveable.
If the Celtics trade Porzingis, it is conceivable they could get below the second threshold. However, the Celtics may have to take back some salary.
“By trading Porzingis’ expiring $30.7 million contract, Boston would drop below the second apron,” Marks pointed out. “The only team that can withstand Porzingis’ salary and not send back a player is Brooklyn, but there is also the option of trading Porzingis and taking back $22 million in contracts. While that does not drop Boston below the second apron, it would start the process of reducing salary.”
According to Evan Sibery of Forbes recently reported that “Boston is very open to moving Porzingis.” However, he added that ” The prevailing thought among league executives is the Celtics will need to include draft capital in a trade offloading Kristaps Porzingis’ $30.7 million expiring contract.”
Boston has their own first-round selection in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2030, and 2031. However, with their 2032 first-round selection frozen, the C’s can’t trade the 2030 or 2031 pick. The Celtics have two second-round draft picks to trade.
Jrue Holiday
Holiday is one of the preeminent perimeter defenders in the NBA. But the 35-year-old struggled offensively and with injuries this year. He is slated to make $32.4 million in 2025-26 and still has over $104.4 million and three years left on his deal.
A few days ago, Jake Fischer of Stein Line stated the obvious, “Celtics are “most definitely listening” to trade offers for Jrue Holiday.”
“The challenge for the Celtics will be finding value for Holiday on the trade market with the veteran guard remaining under contract at big money through age 37,” said MassLive’s Brian Robb. “With a lack of appealing free agent options available at guard, it’s no surprise that Holiday is garnering interest already.”
“Brooklyn is the only team that could absorb Holiday’s deal outright into their cap size,” Robb continued. “Otherwise, the other team involved in acquiring would need to send out at least $22.5 million in salary for the trade to work under CBA rules.”
Several Western Conference teams are expected to be interested in Holiday, including the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Sam Hauser
Hauser is considered the easiest of the trio to trade, given his salary. Given that the 27-year-old has a relatively cheap contract, making $10 million in 2025-26, he should be their last trade option of the three. Hauser is an excellent “catch and shooter” and finisher at the rim.
“Known for his elite shooting and steady defense, Hauser is entering the first year of a four-year, $45 million extension — a deal that suddenly looks expensive when viewed through the lens of Boston’s looming luxury tax penalties,” Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix said recently. “While the Celtics aren’t expected to hit the reset button, they are a second-apron team with little financial flexibility. Hauser’s deal, manageable on its own, would trigger a significantly higher tax bill if kept on the books, making him a logical piece to dangle in trade talks.”
Celtics Reportedly Interested In Moving Up In Draft
Grant Afseth of RG reported yesterday that Boston is quietly doing their due diligence on evaluating point guards from the 2025 draft.
“Boston holds the No. 28 overall pick and is weighing options to move into a necessary range if a targeted prospect becomes available,” Afseth said. “The Celtics also own the No. 32 pick, providing flexibility to package assets in a potential deal.”
“The effort is part of a broader strategy to add cost-controlled backcourt depth as the team navigates one of the NBA’s most restrictive cap situations,” Afseth continued. ” landing a rotation-level guard on a rookie contract is viewed internally as a strategic priority.”
Last Word
Boston needs to get out from under the NBA’s second tax apron. The easiest way of accomplishing this feat is for the Celtics to trade Porzingis and Holiday. Depending on what the Celtics willing or begrudgingly take back will determine how hard they should look to move Hauser.
With the reported trade interest in Holiday, he may be the easiest to move. Now, if the Celtics don’t take a lot back in a Holiday trade, they may keep Porzingis until closer to the trade deadline.
Regardless of who the Celtics trade, their top offseason priority should be to add frontcourt depth. As it stands, the Celtics won’t have four of their top frontcourt rotation players for next year. The Celtics are possibly eyeing NBA player Nigel Hayes-Davis, who has been playing overseas since 2018, to be a cheap option off the bench.
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