As at the moment constructed, the Boston Celtics’ roster will value approximately $500 million in salaries and taxes subsequent season. Brad Stevens constructed the roster to contend for championships. That cube roll instantly paid dividends as Joe Mazzulla’s squad hoisted a banner in 2024.
Sadly, Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tendon tear towards the New York Knicks within the 2025 playoffs. He’ll seemingly be out of motion for the 2025-26 season. As such, Boston’s expensively constructed roster now not is sensible.
Stevens is predicted to start making strikes to duck beneath the second luxurious tax apron. That is the place Jrue Vacation is available in. The veteran guard is a real winner. He is been the lacking piece for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Celtics in recent times. But, at 34 years previous and with three years remaining on his four-year $134 million deal, discovering a keen suitor will not be simple.
“A number of rival executives have handed alongside that, for all of Vacation’s unquestioned championship know-how after contributing to title groups in Milwaukee and Boston, some type of incentive (equivalent to draft compensation) may need to be connected to Vacation’s contract by the Celtics to persuade somebody to soak up the $104 million remaining on the 34-year-old’s deal over the subsequent three seasons,” Jake Fischer reported.
In no way ought to the Celtics connect an asset to maneuver on from Vacation. He was considered one of their greatest gamers throughout their latest postseason run. Moreover, he is nonetheless a top-two defensive guard within the NBA. Paying somebody whereas dropping such a extremely impactful member of the rotation could be legal.
If something, Boston needs to be getting a authentic expertise again in return for Vacation. Assuming that sort of deal is not on the desk, then Stevens ought to take a look at moving other members of the roster. Vacation is simply too proficient and too impactful handy off on a budget. It is one factor to start re-tooling for the long run, it is one other to provide away considered one of your greatest gamers whereas paying somebody for the privilege of letting you achieve this.
There needs to be one other method. Thankfully for Celtics followers, if anybody can determine one thing out, will probably be Stevens.
