The Celtics are speculated to trade multiple key assets this offseason, but it might come at a greater cost.
Boston went above the second apron, which comes with basketball penalties. It wouldn’t be smart to go above the second apron again. So, along with Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, veterans like Jrue Holiday are expected to be moved.
However, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, “some form of incentive (such as draft compensation) might have to be attached to Holiday’s contract by the Celtics to convince someone to absorb the $104 million remaining on the 34-year-old’s deal over the next three seasons.”
Boston can only trade this year’s first-round pick, a 2026 or 2027 pick and a 2030 pick swap. The 2028 and 2029 picks were already traded, and its 2031 pick cannot be traded because its 2032 pick was frozen due to going over the second apron last year.
Those are limited options, and the Celtics will have to hope teams are fine with that. Rival teams might want a draft pick as a contingency due to Holiday’s injury history.
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Boston also can trade Kristaps Porzingis, who will be on an expiring $30 million contract next season. The Golden State Warriors reportedly are interested in trading for Derrick White, who has three years left on his four-year, $118 million deal that includes a player option.
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens didn’t give clear details about how the Celtics will tackle the offseason, but there will be teams calling for the talent on their roster.
