The Boston Celtics have embarked on a significant transformation this summer as they grapple with pressing salary cap issues—especially with the looming absence of their star player, Jayson Tatum, for the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury. This situation has left many fans wondering: Can the Celtics regain their footing and return to championship contention once Tatum is back? NBA insiders are actively dissecting this complex scenario.
In a bold move to maneuver under the second tax apron of $207.8 million, the Celtics opted to trade away veteran point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and dynamic big man Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. These trades represent a significant shift for a team that had championship aspirations for the 2023-24 season. Remaining above that luxury tax threshold would have imposed severe penalties on the Celtics, including restrictions on making sign-and-trade transactions, the inability to trade future first-round picks, and limitations on using their mid-level exception.
Holiday’s contract carries a hefty price tag of $104.4 million over the next three years, while Porzingis is set to earn $30.7 million in the final year of his deal. The Celtics’ current landscape reveals that they may also contemplate trading away other key players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, with Brown’s enormous $236.1 million contract stretching over four years and White’s not far behind at $125.8 million.
John Hollinger of The Athletic notes that the Celtics were anticipatory in their planning, openly discussing these impending changes even while they were in the throes of triumph against Dallas in the 2024 NBA Finals. He points out that the new collective bargaining agreement’s repeater penalty now dictates that Boston must finish the 2025-26 season below the luxury-tax line. To secure that, the team still needs to cut around $20 million in salary, a daunting task.
Yet, Hollinger acknowledges that the Celtics have navigated this challenging transition with surprising finesse. Moving on from Holiday and managing to acquire two second-round picks in return is commendable. Boston may have the opportunity to recapture significant draft capital if they eventually make moves involving stalwarts like Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Jaylen Brown.
Nevertheless, the central question remains—can the Celtics reestablish themselves as serious championship contenders when Tatum makes his long-awaited return? Hollinger raises a crucial point: “The real challenge, perhaps, comes next summer. Having torn so much down, how can the Celtics quickly build it back up so they can thrive again with a healthy Tatum?”
As fans look ahead to the 2026-27 season, the Celtics’ objective to remain title contenders hinges on their strategic decisions during this rebuilding phase. If they opt to move Brown and White as a means of alleviating salary cap constraints, they may find it increasingly difficult to regain their momentum and return to the peak of success without their current core players.
In this uncertain time, Celtics fans are caught between hope and concern. They understand the business decisions being made but also yearn for the excitement that comes with a championship-caliber team. The path ahead will require not only skillful trades and acquisitions but also a shared vision and determination to overcome the hurdles that lie in their way. As they await Tatum’s return, one thing is clear—the Celtics’ fans will be watching intently, eager to see how their beloved team navigates these uncharted waters.
Image Source: Jayson Tatum @ Instagram
