Celtics Talking To Teams About Trades As They Look Toward 2026-27, Plus, Jayson Tatum’s Rcovery & Summer League Stars

The Boston Celtics have already made two major trades this offseason and are reportedly looking to continue making wide-sweeping moves. The Celtics have cut nearly $25 million off their books by trading Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta and Jrue Holiday to Portland. However, they are still over the second apron with an estimated tax bill of $88 million for the 2025-26 season. They have paid an estimated $95 million in tax payments to the league over the past two seasons.

According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Boston and Memphis had discussions about something last week. Fischer added that there is a belief that the Celtics are looking to unload recently acquired Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang.

“I think the Celtics are still very active in taking trade calls, maybe even making trade calls,” Fischer said. “There was some conversation last week between Memphis and Boston about something. We’re still looking to track down more info on that, but rival NBA teams are still under the impression that Boston is looking for deals involving both Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang.”

Celtics Talking To Teams As They Look Toward 2026-27, Plus, Jayson Tatum & Team Summer League News

Despite the widespread belief that the Eastern Conference is wide open, which is somewhat of a misnomer, the Celtics appear to be heading into the season with their sights set on the 2026-27 season. Granted, Boston had to do something given their spending on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Porzingis, Holiday, and Sam Hauser. Tatum is unlikely to play this season as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon on May 12. The loss of Porzingis, Tatum, and Holiday not only cuts the Celtics’ talent but also their depth/

Therefore, it makes sense that Boston is looking to reduce their salary cap hit. The Celtics’ ownership is still uncertain as the league has yet to approve the team’s transfer to Bill Chisholm.

“Bill has been pretty clear from the get-go that he wants to make sure that we’re prioritizing basketball assets and the ability to retool this thing at the highest level that we can,” Celtics president Brad Stevens told Masslive. “Again, the most important acquisition that we’re going to be able to make in the next couple of years is getting Tatum out of a boot, right? We’re not beating that one, so that’s going to be the best thing that can happen for us.”

Boston does have options to get under the second apron and perhaps the luxury tax at some point this season. It also makes sense that Simons and Niang are the players the C’s are most willing to move. The Celtics acquired Simons from the Trail Blazers in the trade for Holiday, while Niang was included in the Porzingis trade.

Could The Celtics Trade Anfernee Simons or Georges Niang

Both Simons and Niang are on expiring contracts and are unlikely to be re-signed. Simons has a salary of $27.6 million this season, and Niang will earn $8.2 million. With the Celtics currently over the second apron, they can’t aggregate salaries in a trade. So, if they were looking to get under the apron to provide more flexibility later in the season, they could likely move Niang in a salary dump.

Now, trading Simmons would potentially get the Celtics closer to, if not below, the luxury tax. The Celtics are $20.2 million above the tax line. The Cs would likely have to include the Jaden Springer trade exception ($4.0 million) and possibly add another player, cash, and draft picks. That doesn’t mean they will move on from Simons before opening night.

Boston does have some options if the Celtics are looking to make a trade. Sam Hauser has been considered a trade option as his four-year, $52.9 million extension kicks in this season.  Trading Xavier Tilman Sr. ($2.5 million) is a possibility, but likely as part of a bigger deal. While the Cs have rebuffed offers for Brown and White, it doesn’t mean that teams have quit trying.

Fischer reported about five days ago that Golden State inquired about White. The 31-year-old veteran guard has four years and $125.8 million on his contract.

“The Golden State Warriors ‘definitely’ called the Celtics to trade for Derrick White,” per Fischer.

With Boston having 15 players on standard contracts, the Celtics can easily get under the second apron before the season. Given that the Cs are just $331,000 over the apron, all they have to do is waive JD Davison ($2.2 million). Davison’s contract doesn’t fully guarantee until January 10. Likely, the 2025 G-League MVP will at least make it to training camp with the team.

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