Celtics Predicted to Make Change Amid $500 Million News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated May 17, 2025 7:49 PM ET

The Boston Celtics' season ended on Friday night. The New York Knicks eliminated them in Game 6, which means the Celtics now turn to the offseason with a lot of questions.

The Celtics will be above the NBA's second tax apron like they have been for the last two seasons. That will come with some major restrictions and ramifications, which Boston may want to avoid.

ESPN's Bobby Marks revealed the Celtics are expected to more than double their $240 million payroll this season, putting them in the $500 million range between salaries and tax penalties that come with the league's new CBA.

The Celtics are predicted to cut some costs to get under those tax aprons. Marks revealed some of the potential changes for Boston:

"The second option is cutting costs but also keeping the foundation in place... to compete next season but also with an eye toward the future... How the Celtics go about that plan could come from a combination of moving Kristaps Porzingis, Sam Hauser, and possibly Jrue Holiday."

Marks went on to explain how the Celtics could trade Porzingis, which could help their efforts to get below the NBA's second tax apron.

Team 25: The Boston Celticshttps://t.co/d5wRSm0GaN pic.twitter.com/17VTlXyekn
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 17, 2025

"By trading Porzingis' expiring $30.7 million contract, Boston would drop below the second apron," he added. "... There is also the option of trading Porzingis and taking back $22 million in contracts. While that does not drop Boston below the second apron, it would start the process of reducing salary."

He didn't delve into Holiday much, but Holiday will enter the second year of a four-year, $134.4 million contract. Next season, he'll be paid $32.4 million, and by the end of that contract, he'll be paid $37.2 million.

With Jayson Tatum out indefinitely, and Jaylen Brown possibly having offseason knee surgery that could keep him out, the Celtics may have extra inventive to get under those aprons.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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