The Boston Celtics have found themselves in unfamiliar territory following a disappointing end to their 2024-25 season. After a failed quest to repeat as back-to-back NBA champions, they now face the ultimate reality that changes are on the way.
New Ownership in Town
These changes begin as new ownership takes over this summer. Bill Chisholm, managing partner and chief investment officer for STG Partners, LLC, is slated to purchase the Celtics. He and his business group inherit the most expensive team in NBA history, with a projected payroll of $500 million.
In the NBA, teams are able to spend over the salary cap, but it comes at a cost. In the Celtics’ case, they are over the second apron, which is a large salary threshold that prompts a high luxury tax bill. According to Spotrac, the Celtics’ luxury tax is estimated to be $238 million.
Unless Chisholm wants to pay this heavy fee, it is highly unlikely fans will see the same Celtics roster from the past two years.
For Boston to be under the second apron, it begins with shedding a minimum of $20 million in salary. In order for that to happen, the Celtics will have to move a large salary via trade. Their largest contracts come from their starting five, with the five highest 2025-26 salaries listed below.
Jayson Tatum – $54.1 Million
Jaylen Brown – $53.1 Million
Jrue Holiday – $32.4 Million
Kristaps Porzingis – $30.7 Million
Derrick White – $28.1 Million
Holiday and Porzingis Cap Situations
Offseason rumors are beginning to spread around Holiday and Porzingis, two potential trade chips. Both core pieces came from trades in 2023 and helped the Celtics power through their quest towards winning the 2024 NBA Finals.
Despite reports saying that one or both may be moved this summer, a trade is not as easy as it sounds. Holiday turns 35 in June and his contract runs through 2027-28, which will be his age-37 season. His age and contract may scare teams away, despite his status as a two-time NBA champion and six-time NBA All-Defensive Team guard.
To trade Holiday likely means adding a future first-round pick in the deal – a situation no team wants to find themselves in. Holiday also expressed his desire to stay in Boston in a recent interview.
Jrue Holiday on the Celtics potentially having to make roster changes and if he’s hopeful to be back next year:
“The opportunity to win is now and I still want to be apart of that.” pic.twitter.com/1cU5fhpzhQ
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) May 17, 2025
In the case of Porzingis, he’s widely known around the league as a flight risk due to his lengthy injury history. In just two years since arriving in Boston, he has missed 63 regular-season and 12 postseason games.
Porzingis’ contract expires after next year. His status as a short-term rental may entice some teams, but his health could be a deal-breaker.
Besides age and injury history, opposing teams’ cap situations present a roadblock. A recent article by ESPN’s Bobby Marks explained that the Brooklyn Nets are the only team in the league that can take on Porzingis’s or Holiday’s contracts without sending salary back. A move like this would theoretically put the Celtics under the second apron, but Brooklyn must be willing to absorb the contract. Still, a Porzingis or Holiday deal could entice the Nets in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
How Tatum’s Injury Affects Celtics’ Future
Future implications on keeping the team together were expected since the start of the 2024-25 season. However, a devastating Achilles’ injury to Jayson Tatum in the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the New York Knicks emphasizes the harsh truth that the team’s current roster is not sustainable financially.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, there is no timetable on Tatum’s return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. The superstar’s father, Justin Tatum, spoke to NBA sources who expect Tatum to be sidelined for eight to nine months. Regardless of the timeline, the Celtics will prepare to lose him for the vast majority of next year, and perhaps the entire season.
Jayson Tatum had an emotional conversation with his dad following his achilles injury, per @MarcJSpears
“Why me, dad? Why me? Why does this have to happen to me… his dad expects him to be out 8-9 months.” pic.twitter.com/k78Pg24eFu
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 14, 2025
A Tatum-less Celtics team means it will be the Jaylen Brown show until further notice. While not publicly stated by Brown, it’s been reported that he’s intrigued by the idea of being the primary option for a team. There arguably won’t be a better opportunity for Brown to showcase that than next year.
Along with Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will have opportunities to step up. These players can keep the Celtics in the upper echelon of a weak Eastern Conference. This also means the growth of the young core in Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and JD Davison could prove to be vital to the Celtics’ future success.
Without Tatum, it may be in Boston’s best interest to accumulate draft capital and scout heavily for the upcoming draft in June. Next season represents a unique opportunity for the team to develop a young core while simultaneously staying in the mix for contention.
The Celtics will need a starting big if Porzingis is dealt. They can also use playmaking wing depth.
Boston must capitalize on the draft by addressing one of these needs, in hopes that their rookies can potentially play meaningful minutes once their star player returns.
The future appears murky for Boston, but time will tell how the team and new ownership approach it.
Main Image Credit: NBA.com / Boston Celtics
