Boston Celtics Players' Salaries For The 2022-23 NBA Season

The Boston Celtics are heading into the 2023 season following a season filled with success but also frustration after failing to win the 2023 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics blossomed into the best team in the Eastern Conference thanks to their core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Robert Williams, and Marcus Smart under rookie head coach Ime Udoka. Next season, the Celtics are once again in the mix for the championship and the Eastern Conference is on notice because the reigning NBA Finalists are coming to win the NBA title. Of course, with Tatum arguably a top-10 player in the game and the rest of the team playing smart basketball, the Celtics are here to stay, even if Udoka is suspended for the rest of the 2023 season.

But there remain a few major questions relating to how the team will look for the long-term because they will need to see if they want to go fully forward with Jayston Tatum and Jaylen Brown as the franchise cornerstones. This was thrown in doubt when Brown was dangled in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, but the Nets did not bite. Not to mention, will the Celtics try to acquire a third All-Star to join Tatum and Brown? Or will they continue with the likes of Williams and Smart acting as secondary players to the two stars? Clearly, the Celtics need to see how the championship core looks this upcoming season before making a long-term decision. The aforementioned questions could be important for the 2023 offseason because right now, the core is fixed for next year and they got the job done last year by making the Finals.

The Boston Celtics are currently on top of the Eastern Conference and have a lot to be positive about in terms of their talent and their recent Finals experience. But how is their salary cap looking? Specifically, how much are the Celtics’ players getting paid in the 2023 season? With a ton of excitement and positivity in the Boston camp and the start of the season still a few weeks away, here is what the salary breakdown looks like for the Celtics.

Boston Celtics' Salary (via HoopsHype):

1. Jayson Tatum - $30,351,780

2. Jaylen Brown - $28,741,071

3. Al Horford - $26,500,000

4. Malcolm Brogdon - $22,600,000

5. Marcus Smart - $17,207,142

6. Derrick White - $16,892,857

7. Robert Williams - $10,937,502

8. Danilo Gallinari - $6,479,000

9. Grant Williams - $4,306,281

10. Noah Vonleh - $2,463,490

11. Jake Layman - $2,298,385

12. Denzel Valentine - $2,298,385

13. Payton Pritchard - $2,239,200

14. Justin Jackson - $2,133,278

15. Luke Kornet - $2,133,278

16. Luka Samanic - $1,902,133

17. Sam Hauser - $1,637,966

18. Brodric Thomas - $1,576,305

19. JD Davison - $508,891

20. Mfiondu Kabengele - $508,891

21. Demetrius Jackson - $92,857

Team Total: $182,232,387

Celtics Championship Duo Is Worth Less Than $60 Million

Jayson Tatum - $30,351,780

Jaylen Brown - $28,741,071

Obviously, the superstars are getting paid large sums of money next year although it is reasonably so. Jayson Tatum, despite being arguably a top-10 player in the world, is ranked only 40th in the NBA in salary behind other players who are nowhere near as good including Michael Porter Jr, D’Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kemba Walker. Tatum is making a little over $30 million, which means there is plenty of room for Boston to acquire top role players which is what they did when they brought in Malcolm Brogdon. Obviously, Tatum will start making the big bucks in 2026 when he will make over $37 million.

Tatum will be the best player going into the 2023 season and is on a very team-friendly contract considering he averaged 26.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 4.4 APG while shooting 45.3% from the field, 35.3% from three, and 85.3% from the line. The Celtics superstar was phenomenal on the offensive side of the floor and was able to take over games by making three-point shots and also attacking the rim as a 6’8” forward with long arms and tremendous athleticism. Boston did a great job locking in Tatum long-term with a team-friendly deal.

Jaylen Brown is the second-best player on the team although at times in the postseason last year, he was Boston’s best player. Brown is a tremendous athlete with an improved ability to score the ball in isolation and also defend the perimeter. Tatum and Brown are one of the best duos in the NBA because their offensive skill is off the charts. Brown has developed an ability to make tough shots as well and is a great bail-out option. Last year, Jaylen posted 23.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.5 APG in 66 games played.

Brown brings a ton of athleticism to the table and his improvements on defense will make him an untouchable player. Even if the Celtics wanted to trade Brown, it was for arguably the best player in the world in Kevin Durant and nobody else. Jaylen might be frustrated by Boston’s willingness to move him for Durant, but he has to understand a near 7-footer with elite shooting skills comes around once-in-a-lifetime. Next season, Brown joins Tatum in a team-friendly deal that pays the second-best player on the team under $29 million. That means the Celtics stars are getting paid under $60 million.

Key Role Players Are Getting Paid Very Well Next Year, Over A Combined $104 Million

Al Horford - $26,500,000

Malcolm Brogdon - $22,600,000

Marcus Smart - $17,207,142

Derrick White - $16,892,857

Robert Williams - $10,937,502

Danilo Gallinari - $6,479,000

Grant Williams - $4,306,281

The Boston Celtics starters and key role players are eating up the bulk of Boston’s cap space. Unlike other teams, there is a ton of money paid for starters including the newly acquired Malcolm Brogdon, Defensive Player of the Year candidate Marcus Smart, and 6th man Derrick White. Luckily, Robert Williams is on a team-friendly contract, and Gallinari and Grant Williams are making decent money on decent deals.

An active big man who does his job on a high level, Al Horford is a stout defender who can rebound and will be a critical player in the Celtics' system. Al is no longer an All-Star player when looking at his stats, but he sets picks, plays solid defense, and knows what the offensive plays will entail in terms of rolling to the basket or spotting up for three. He has built tremendous chemistry with Tatum and Brown, and that alone makes the big man valuable in the final year of his contract in 2023. A big man who can defend, shoot, and pass the ball well, Horford should return to the Celtics on a much friendlier deal for his team as he will be 37 years old next year.

Brogdon had another strong season in 2022, posting 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.9 APG on 44.8% shooting from the field, 31.2% from three, and 85.6% from the line. Malcolm proved to be an efficient scorer and passer while also not letting up on defense. The guard is capable of being the primary playmaker for the Celtics and will be invaluable for a team that had zero point guard play last year. Brogdon shot over 38% from three in 2021 so hopefully, he can return to that level for the Celtics in 2023. He is also making over $22 million in 2024 and 2025 as well.

Marcus Smart signed a long-term deal last year, and that will pay him until the 2026 season. He had the best season of his career in 2022, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award and becoming the second point guard of all time to do so. Smart is the third-best player on the team and is on a friendly deal although he is getting paid quite well. The guard will be shifted over to the shooting guard spot to make room for Malcolm Brogdon, because Smart is best suited for post-ups, spot-up threes, and being the primary defender instead of being a playmaker.

Derrick White is extremely highly paid for a 6th man who only averaged 11.0 PPG in the regular season through 26 games with the Boston Celtics last year. He was acquired before the trade deadline from the San Antonio Spurs, and also averaged 8.5 PPG for the Celtics in the playoffs. Clearly, he is overpaid but White is a very smart player who defends, creates shots for others, and also makes smart plays. Unless Boston can find a better alternative, they will pay White over $16 million over the next three years.

By far the best player on the team on the friendliest contract is Robert Williams, a center with elite hops and athleticism that he uses to defend the rim. A shot-blocker and rebounder, Williams was invaluable for Boston last year despite being in and out of the lineup due to injury. It seems that Wiliams will not be able to stay healthy full-time because he is a unique athlete that has a ton of weight on his joints at 237 lbs on a 6’8” frame. Williams will be paid under $14 million a season until 2026, and he is strong enough to start for most NBA teams. The big man will miss the first few months of the 2023 season, and there will be some big shoes to fill by other Celtics big men.

Danilo Gallinari is past his best and is also dealing with a never-ending injury list as well, so his appearances should come rarely next year in terms of the regular season. The forward can stroke the three, but he has to stay healthy to be effective. Nonetheless, the Italian forward is making under $7 million and has a player option for 2024. Grant Williams is a critical role player because he brings energy and a consistent three-point shot as a backup forward and will be a long-term Celtics player considering he will likely be on the team in 2023 and 2024 when the qualifying offer is extended to him.

Benchwarmers Salaries

Noah Vonleh - $2,463,490

Jake Layman - $2,298,385

Denzel Valentine - $2,298,385

Payton Pritchard - $2,239,200

Justin Jackson - $2,133,278

Luke Kornet - $2,133,278

Luka Samanic - $1,902,133

Sam Hauser - $1,637,966

Brodric Thomas - $1,576,305

JD Davison - $508,891

Mfiondu Kabengele - $508,891

Demetrius Jackson - $92,857

The Celtics bench players are all in team-friendly contracts and for good reason. It is important to note that this bench will be trimmed before the start of the season because there are currently 21 players on the roster. Noah Vonleh is a big man who could work out with Boston because the team needs a replacement for the injured Robert Williams. Vonleh has some NBA experience and is a decent two-way player when it comes to making shots and playing team defense. Similarly, Luke Kornet can make outside shots and should see most of his minutes come in the regular season.

Obviously, the most interesting name off the bench is Payton Pritchard. He is already a decent backup point guard because he can make deep three-pointers and has a hustle mentality. At 6’1” and 195 lbs, Pritchard lacks the size to be a full-time starter, but if he can come in and heat up and hustle for loose balls, he is already an advantage to the Celtics at a contract that pays under $2.3 million per year. Pritchard played 14.1 MPG in the regular season last year and that number went slightly down to 12.9 MPG in the playoffs. At only age 24, Pritchard has proven he deserves some playing time on the court and should continue to see more playing time if he can make outside shots consistently. Some dark horse (potential) bench warmers include Jake Layman and Denzel Valentine, two players who provide energy and can make outside shots. Again, the bench will likely be trimmed so some of these players, including the young ones, won’t be on the roster next year.

What Will The Celtics Salary Cap Could Look Like Next Year And Going Forward?

The Boston Celtics salary cap will take a $182,232,387 hit next year. That ranks 4th in the NBA and that is mainly because of their starting lineup around the two star players. They have over $104 million tied up to their key starters and role players, which makes sense considering how dominant they can be if healthy and motivated. Boston is clearly going all-in for the title in 2023, so they should have no problem going over the luxury tax if it means boosting the Celtics’ status above the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers in their own division. Every team improved during the offseason and the Celtics have to click on all cylinders to truly contend at the highest level. They would have been considered the favorites because they came off a Finals run last year, but the Ime Udoka situation could throw a wrench in the situation.

But the Celtics have a ton to think about when it comes to their long-term future. For one, will they retain Al Horford on a team-friendly deal over the next 2 or 3 years? He will likely prefer to stay with Boston because the fans love him and he truly belongs there considering his clutch performances last year. Next, will Boston trade the likes of Derrick White or Marcus Smart during or after next season? That could depend if the Celtics make another Finals run, and they might want to keep the core if they win another championship or at least get close again next year. Smart is the defensive leader of the team, but he could be packaged if another All-Star becomes available. Similarly, White is overpaid for a bench player and Boston could find a way to move him to clear up cap space.

Next, will Boston have to find a long-term option for the center position? Horford will be 37 next year and Robert Williams has not been able to stay healthy. Should the franchise focus on acquiring an All-Star big man as a result? They might also want to move on from Danilo Gallinari because he is past his best and unable to stay healthy. Grant Williams is a perfect role player and he should be tied down to a long-term deal if the Celtics are convinced he will continue to improve.

Overall, Boston is right back in the mix for the NBA championship next year because they have two All-Star players and capable role players who bring it on both ends of the floor. The stars and Robert Williams are all on team-friendly contracts next year and will be motivated to prove their worth. That means they could have the best seasons of their careers as they look to make up for Ime Udoka’s absence and try to get back to the NBA Finals. If they win another title, the Celtics will likely keep everybody long-term with some minor improvements to the roster.

But if Boston fails to meet the playoff expectations, they will have to see if Malcolm Brogdon is the long-term answer for the Celtics because he is making over $22 million until the 2025 season. Of course, if Kevin Durant becomes available, will the Celtics pull the trigger on a Jaylen Brown package? How will Marcus Smart fare in trade talks as well? Boston needs to show championship-quality play without Ime Udoka next year to prevent roster moves. They might not win the title without their coach, but if they show heart and at least make the Eastern Conference Finals, their core should be kept for the long-term with the likes of Al Horford and Grant Williams returning on long-term deals. 

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