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Celtics Predicted To Make Jaylen Brown Decision This Summer Amid Payroll Concerns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated May 20, 2025 4:23 PM ET

The Boston Celtics will have the most expensive roster in the NBA next season if the front office doesn't make any changes this summer.

Some believe the Celtics have to make big trades this offseason since Jayson Tatum could miss all of next season recovering from his right Achilles tendon tear.

Tatum will make $54.1 million, Jaylen Brown will make $53.1 million, Jrue Holiday will make $32.4 million, Kristaps Porzingis will make $30.7 million and Derrick White will make $28.1 million next season.

The Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of this year's playoffs in six games, failing to defend their NBA title. Boston defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals in five games, with Brown winning the Finals MVP Award.

A few NBA observers think the Celtics should trade Brown this summer since Tatum could be sidelined all of next season. However, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report doesn't believe Boston president Brad Stevens will trade Brown this offseason.

"Since the start of the 2016-17 campaign (Brown's first in the NBA), he and Tatum are fourth and first, respectively in playoff points," Bailey wrote. "Over the same stretch, they switch spots for the playoff wins leaderboard. Brown is first, while Tatum is fourth (mostly because Tatum entered the league a year later).

"In short, this is one of the most successful duos in the league. Neither stacks up the kind of gaudy stat lines that help attract attention to Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic or Giannis Antetokounmpo, but playoff wins are the ultimate indicator. And even if Tatum misses all of 2025-26, there's plenty of time for both to keep adding to their totals beyond then."

Brown has spent his entire career with the Celtics. He has made four All-Star teams and one All-NBA team while averaging 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the regular season and 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the playoffs.

Boston hasn't missed the playoffs since 2014. Since Tatum may not play next season, the Celtics will need Brown to take his game to a whole other level to make the postseason in 2026.

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

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