As the Boston Celtics make a determined push for a second consecutive NBA championship, an air of uncertainty hangs over what lies beyond.
While the team is fully locked in on its current playoff run, the harsh financial reality of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is casting a long shadow over the future of their roster.
If the Celtics do go back-to-back and secure another championship, they would be just one title away from a rare threepeat. However, few around the league expect the team to return next season with the same core in place.
“The rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to come to the Celtics from their roster this offseason,” reported NBA insider Shams Charania during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
“Sources have been telling me for weeks now that the Celtics will be exploring trade options in the offseason. This iteration just is not going to be sustainable for this team.”
The issue isn’t about talent – Boston’s lineup is arguably the deepest and most balanced in the league. Rather, it’s about economics.
Under the NBA’s new CBA rules, teams that cross the second apron – a punitive salary cap threshold – face stiff penalties that restrict trades, limit roster flexibility, and freeze future draft picks.
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These rules were designed to discourage teams from stockpiling high-paid stars at the expense of competitive balance.
Charania emphasized that those within the Celtics organization – from players to front-office staff – are already aware of the difficult choices ahead.
“No one around the organization would be surprised if there are changes coming to this roster,” he added. “When you think about the new CBA, there’s restrictions that come with trades, with freezing of draft picks. That’s all stuff that they’re dealing with right now.”
The numbers are striking. Next season, five Celtics players – Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis – are each set to earn $28 million or more. According to Charania, that’s unprecedented.
“They have five players right now scheduled to make $28 million or more next season. That’s a league record,” he said. “They would have a salary bill of $500 million.”
The Celtics’ front office likely anticipated this situation when they acquired Holiday and Porzingis last offseason. Those moves paid immediate dividends on the court, but the financial strain is now unavoidable.
“None of these changes are top of mind for the Celtics now,” Charania clarified. “This is obviously the most talented team in the league. I think a lot of people would agree with that. So these are good problems to have.”
In the meantime, Boston remains singularly focused on the postseason. But as soon as the confetti falls – whether in triumph or disappointment – the reality of the second apron will force the Celtics into some tough decisions.
Celtics Expected To Make Changes To Roster In Offseason Due To Sustainability Concerns https://t.co/BBmdVh1FZK
— RealGM (@RealGM) May 1, 2025
