Celtics Expected To Make Changes To Roster In Offseason Due To Sustainability Concerns

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Boston Celtics are attempting to win back-to-back titles in these playoffs. If they win again, their roster for a potential threepeat is widely expected to look differently due to ongoing second apron concerns. 

"I can tell you the rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to come to the Celtics from their roster this offseason," said Shams Charania on The Pat McAfee Show. "And you know 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."

The Celtics have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on supermax contracts, while Derick White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are each on expensive contracts of their own.

"They have five players right now scheduled to make $28 million or more next season. That's a league record. They would have a salary bill of $500 million. I think the Celtics knew when they traded for Jrue Holiday and they traded for Kristaps Porzingis, they'd be staring at this in the face this summer.

"But none of these changes are the top of mind for the Celtics now. 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."

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

[niha17]

It wont happen if they win the title again

[TheCage4]

Another wrinkle not mentioned here is new ownership. Historically, when there is a "changing of the guard," salary is reduced in lieu of the initial investment.

[WaltFrazier]

Horford getting old, wonder if he'll return

[CaHgO]

Jrue is 100% out, probably Pritchard as well. High chance of Porzingis too, and if needed Jaylen as well. Regardless if they win the title or not, they are super expensive and can't sustain it.

[brackdan70]

Jrue is 100% out, probably Pritchard as well. High chance of Porzingis too, and if needed Jaylen as well. Regardless if they win the title or not, they are super expensive and can't sustain it.

Pritchard is really inexpensive. Not likely that he will be moved. Trading one of Porzingis or Holiday for minimal return Salary or trading Brown accomplishes reducing the tax bill.
Porzingis comes off the books after next season. I expect they try to move Holiday to reduce next seasons bill and get under the tax for 2026-27. That’s all they need to do. Not multiple players

[puja21]

Another wrinkle not mentioned here is new ownership. Historically, when there is a "changing of the guard," salary is reduced in lieu of the initial investment.

That feels wrong about "historically salary is reduced" -- there's a reason we have the term "new owner syndrome" in NBA pop culture.

When Prokhorov bought the Nets, he pretty quickly added Joe Johnson and Deron Williams (extended Lopez) and later let King do the trade for KG/Pierce/Terry.

Tsai bought the team from him (and Tsai threw another $1B for the stadium so he was in for over $3B altogether)... Then immediately added 2 max players in Durant and Irving.

We also just saw Ishbia add Durant and Beal.

Balmer took over during Lob City and gave Blake that massive 5 year deal. He's done nothing but add payroll and stars, a high profile coach, even a new stadium in his tenure.

When Fertitta bought Houston, he also spent a ton of money on the stadium. They kept the Harden/D'Antoni Rockets together for 3-4 seasons and spent a ton on attempted re-tools with CP3, Westbrook, Wall. Eric Gordon got 53M shortly after the sale. They were trying all kinds of pieces too -- Lou Will, Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Covington, Gerald Green etc...

Gilbert bought the Cavs early on in Lebron's career, right before the first Finals run. His payroll was always maxed according to Lebron's wishes.

The Hawks were bought after the Coach Bud 60-win team that got swept by Lebron -- this was the team with 4 all stars (Millsap, Krover, Horford, Teague)... They ran it back with the same coach, same guys, same payroll and got swept again by Lebron.
Then STILL brought Bud back again for a 3rd year and signed Dwight Howard to a huge deal (was making Melo/Dame/Bosh/Wade money)

[puja21]

Jrue is 100% out, probably Pritchard as well. High chance of Porzingis too, and if needed Jaylen as well. Regardless if they win the title or not, they are super expensive and can't sustain it.

Pritchard is really inexpensive. Not likely that he will be moved. Trading one of Porzingis or Holiday for minimal return Salary or trading Brown accomplishes reducing the tax bill.
Porzingis comes off the books after next season. I expect they try to move Holiday to reduce next seasons bill and get under the tax for 2026-27. That’s all they need to do. Not multiple players

Lakers fans will dream though

Especially after his team -- with <3M salary difference from Boston -- got humiliated in the first round

[TheCage4]

Another wrinkle not mentioned here is new ownership. Historically, when there is a "changing of the guard," salary is reduced in lieu of the initial investment.

That feels wrong about "historically salary is reduced" -- there's a reason we have the term "new owner syndrome" in NBA pop culture.

When Prokhorov bought the Nets, he pretty quickly added Joe Johnson and Deron Williams (extended Lopez) and later let King do the trade for KG/Pierce/Terry.

Tsai bought the team from him (and Tsai threw another $1B for the stadium so he was in for over $3B altogether)... Then immediately added 2 max players in Durant and Irving.

We also just saw Ishbia add Durant and Beal.

Balmer took over during Lob City and gave Blake that massive 5 year deal. He's done nothing but add payroll and stars, a high profile coach, even a new stadium in his tenure.

When Fertitta bought Houston, he also spent a ton of money on the stadium. They kept the Harden/D'Antoni Rockets together for 3-4 seasons and spent a ton on attempted re-tools with CP3, Westbrook, Wall. Eric Gordon got 53M shortly after the sale. They were trying all kinds of pieces too -- Lou Will, Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Covington, Gerald Green etc...

Gilbert bought the Cavs early on in Lebron's career, right before the first Finals run. His payroll was always maxed according to Lebron's wishes.

The Hawks were bought after the Coach Bud 60-win team that got swept by Lebron -- this was the team with 4 all stars (Millsap, Krover, Horford, Teague)... They ran it back with the same coach, same guys, same payroll and got swept again by Lebron.
Then STILL brought Bud back again for a 3rd year and signed Dwight Howard to a huge deal (was making Melo/Dame/Bosh/Wade money)

You do realize history happened before the 2000's, right?

[Lee in Oregon]

There's no way they move Brown. Prob. just Holiday because Pritchard can fill that role. The other guy I could see being moved is Hauser, if they think Scheierman is ready. Big Al will be missed, unless he's willing to come back on a very team-friendly deal. In Brad we trust.

[puja21]

Another wrinkle not mentioned here is new ownership. Historically, when there is a "changing of the guard," salary is reduced in lieu of the initial investment.

That feels wrong about "historically salary is reduced" -- there's a reason we have the term "new owner syndrome" in NBA pop culture.

When Prokhorov bought the Nets, he pretty quickly added Joe Johnson and Deron Williams (extended Lopez) and later let King do the trade for KG/Pierce/Terry.

Tsai bought the team from him (and Tsai threw another $1B for the stadium so he was in for over $3B altogether)... Then immediately added 2 max players in Durant and Irving.

We also just saw Ishbia add Durant and Beal.

Balmer took over during Lob City and gave Blake that massive 5 year deal. He's done nothing but add payroll and stars, a high profile coach, even a new stadium in his tenure.

When Fertitta bought Houston, he also spent a ton of money on the stadium. They kept the Harden/D'Antoni Rockets together for 3-4 seasons and spent a ton on attempted re-tools with CP3, Westbrook, Wall. Eric Gordon got 53M shortly after the sale. They were trying all kinds of pieces too -- Lou Will, Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Covington, Gerald Green etc...

Gilbert bought the Cavs early on in Lebron's career, right before the first Finals run. His payroll was always maxed according to Lebron's wishes.

The Hawks were bought after the Coach Bud 60-win team that got swept by Lebron -- this was the team with 4 all stars (Millsap, Krover, Horford, Teague)... They ran it back with the same coach, same guys, same payroll and got swept again by Lebron.
Then STILL brought Bud back again for a 3rd year and signed Dwight Howard to a huge deal (was making Melo/Dame/Bosh/Wade money)

You do realize history happened before the 2000's, right?

Incorrect.

None of this happened before the 2000s

Only Gilbert's Cavs purchase (2005) was before the 2010s

Prokhorov took over for the 2011 season and Tsai was first the owner for the bubble season (19/20)
Balmer bought the Clippers for the 2015 season <-- Bucks were also this year and also dramatically increased spending.
Hawks group was 2016
Fertitta was 2017.
Ishbia Suns obviously 2023

More importantly, there have only been 4 sales since the bubble, -- Utah (tanking per Ainge, not to save money), Suns, Mavs, and Hornets.

So if you think these examples are "too old" -- what are your more relevant examples?