Brian Windhorst Hints Celtics Could Look Very Different Next Season Due to Key Reason

There's been speculation that we will not be seeing the same Celtics team if they are put out this year in the playoffs.

With an NBA Championship to defend, a second round elimination would be very disappointing for the Celtics, especially with the financial situation the team is in right now.

NBA insider Brian Windhorst broke down the position this Celtics team is in financially, and it's not a cheap one.

"Next year their payroll is $460 million when you compute the taxes. If they keep their [2025] draft pick and fill out their roster, It's going to top $500 million," Windhorst explained on First Take.

"There's a possibility this team's not going to come back [next year]... That's what's on the line," Windhorst told Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins.

It's worth to mention that the Celtics are also in the hands of new ownership after a group that's led by businessman and lifelong Celtics fan Bill Chisholm bought the team for over $6 billion.

Boston has been stunned after its dominant run to the 2024 NBA Championship.

Falling behind 2-0 in the second round wasn't what Head Coach Joe Mazzulla or Celtics fans expected entering the playoffs as a No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Game 3 is set for Saturday May 10 in New York, where the Celtics will look to turn the series around.