Struggling star-studded Celtics face potential offseason overhaul
Potential financial repercussions for the Celtics as they face a defeat against the Knicks, given their expensive player lineup.
The Boston Celtics are finding themselves in a tough predicament, trailing 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks.
Despite sweeping the Knicks during the regular season, the Celtics struggled to maintain their lead in the first two games of this series. With 20-point leads in both Games 1 and 2, they were up by 75-55 midway through the third quarter in Game 1 and 73-53 with just over two minutes left in the third quarter in Game 2. The Celtics even managed a 16-point lead with 8:40 left in Game 2-and a staggering 98.8% win probability-before the Knicks launched a surprising 23-6 game-ending run.
Facing imminent elimination, the Celtics head to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night to turn their fortune around. History is not on their side, though, as no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
programmatic disassembly in the offing
If the Celtics fail to rally and lose the series, the consequences go far beyond just their current playoff run. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, a summer shake-up could be on the horizon, with the organization reportedly exploring trade options for key players. Charania speculated that an iteration of the current team is unlikely to remain sustainable, leaving fans and experts wondering how this offseason could reshape the roster.
The Big Money Blues
The Celtics' financial troubles can be traced back to the 2025-26 season, when the team was set to become the first in NBA history to break the $500-million salary barrier. The new repeater-tax rates, starting this offseason, put Boston on track for a whopping $280 million tax bill. Adding to the financial burden is a projected $233 million payroll, which would shatter the NBA record for the most expensive roster in league history.
The Celtics' transcendent acquisition of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis last offseason played a significant role in this financial turbulence, as these moves set the stage for a bloated payroll. However, these moves have not been without their consequences. With five players earning $25-plus million, the roster was never designed for long-term success, and the bill seems poised to come due this summer.
A Delicate Dance Between Sustainability and Greatness
The crucial question now is which highly-paid player the Celtics are willing to trade, and how their current sequence against the Knicks may factor into the decision. Brown and Tatum have struggled with their shooting efficiency in the first two games, but trading either one would likely be a last resort. That leaves Holiday, Porziņģis, and Derrick White as the team's most likely trade candidates.
Porziņģis would seem an obvious trade choice due to his injury history and the availability of more affordable talent, but his size and long-range shooting ability have been vital to the team's success. Holiday's age and declining offensive output have limited his trade value, while White's promising talent, four-year extension, and relatively low annual salary (17-18% of the cap) make him a desirable trade chip.
A crucial decision awaits the Celtics, as they navigate between their desire for championship success and the necessity to streamline their roster with a more financially-sound approach. Only time will tell how losing the series against the Knicks may affect their big money dilemma.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass, Basketball Reference, Spotrac, RealGM, and FanDuel Sportsbook.
Disclaimer: This article is a fictional account and is not based on factual events or people.
- In light of their potential elimination in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the financial implications for the Boston Celtics might be far-reaching, with the organization exploring trade options for key players following a summer shake-up due to their high salary cap predictions.
- The Celtics' acquisition of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis last offseason has contributed significantly to their financial troubles, pushing them closer to becoming the first team in NBA history to surpass the $500-million salary barrier.
- A delicate balance exists for the Celtics between their pursuit of championship success and the need for a more financially-sound roster. Key trade decisions regarding players like Holiday, Porzingis, and Derrick White could drastically alter the team's financial outlook.
- The NBA offseason of 2025 could bring significant changes to the Boston Celtics roster, with the consequences of their current performance in the playoffs potentially shaping the direction of these decisions in the realm of sports basketball, particularly in the NBA.
