{"id":142778,"date":"2025-05-31T17:58:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T21:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=142778"},"modified":"2025-05-31T17:58:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T21:58:42","slug":"celtics-predicted-to-save-230-million-while-landing-new-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/31\/celtics-predicted-to-save-230-million-while-landing-new-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Predicted to Save $230 Million While Landing New Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/celtics\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Celtics<\/a> just hit a major crossroads. After falling to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/knicks\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Knicks<\/a> in the second round, they face a brutal financial reality. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tatumja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jayson Tatum\u2019s<\/a> Achilles injury <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/18\/storm-clouds-loom-in-the-future-for-the-tatum-less-celtics\/\" target=\"_self\">sped up the timeline.<\/a> Suddenly, next season\u2019s outlook looks far more complicated\u2014and expensive.<\/p>\n<h2>Celtics Predicted to Save $230 Million While Landing New Center<\/h2>\n<h3>Tatum&#8217;s Injury Forces a Hard Pivot<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142780\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142780\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-142780\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Jayson Tatum's injury has made the Celtics financial situation untenable\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_26162235_168415934_lowres-1.jpg 1706w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is helped off the court by after an injury in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) gestures at Madison Square Garden. Tatum would leave the game with an injury after this play. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Without their All-NBA star, the Celtics are bracing for a challenging 2025-26 season. The projected payroll, including repeater taxes, will exceed half a billion dollars. That\u2019s a steep price for a team that doesn\u2019t even own its arena and couldn\u2019t make the Eastern Conference Finals.<\/p>\n<p><em>Bleacher Report\u2019s<\/em> Eric Pincus proposed a trade to reset the balance sheets. The deal helps the Celtics retool for Tatum\u2019s return while saving the franchise a massive sum\u2014around $230 million.<\/p>\n<h3>The Proposed Trade Breakdown<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/www.boston.com\/sports\/boston-celtics\/2025\/05\/26\/boston-celtics-trade-rumors-jrue-holiday-nba-basketball-dallas-mavericks\/%3famp=1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">According<\/a> to Marc Stein, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/mavericks\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a> are \u201cexpected to at least explore\u201d acquiring <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holidjr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jrue Holiday.<\/a> With <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/irvinky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyrie Irving<\/a> expected to miss significant time, Holiday offers elite defense and a steady presence until Kyrie returns.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how the trade shapes up:<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Mavericks receive:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Jrue Holiday<\/li>\n<li>$3 million trade exception<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Celtics receive:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gaffoda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daniel Gafford<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/washipj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PJ Washington<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/timmedr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drew Timme<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Multiple trade exceptions totaling over $39 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Nets receive:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poweldw01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dwight Powell<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Multiple players and picks<\/li>\n<li>Two first-round assets from Boston<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The trade wouldn\u2019t finalize until after July 6, post-moratorium. It assumes Powell opts into his deal and the Mavericks are ready to trigger the second apron.<\/p>\n<h3>Why the Celtics Say Yes<\/h3>\n<p>Pincus laid it out clearly: \u201cBefore considering <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/horfoal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al Horford<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kornelu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luke Kornet<\/a>, Boston projects to have a payroll of $231.5 million and $270.6 million in repeater taxes.\u201d That\u2019s unsustainable\u2014especially with Tatum likely out the entire season.<\/p>\n<p>Shedding Holiday and Porzi\u0146\u0123is gives Boston flexibility. Gafford brings energy and rim protection. Washington adds playoff experience and can hold down the forward spot while Tatum heals.<\/p>\n<p>According to Pincus, \u201cPost-trade (and with Horford\/Kornet at $10 million), Boston would have 15 players at $205.1 million with a $63.2 million tax bill.\u201d That means the Celtics&#8217; $230 million savings becomes very real\u2014without completely tanking the season.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019d remain under the second apron, which is a key win. Even better, they keep the door open for Tatum\u2019s eventual return alongside <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Brown<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Dallas Likes It Too<\/h3>\n<p>Dallas would clear its frontcourt logjam and improve perimeter defense. Holiday provides short-term leadership and long-term fit next to Irving.<\/p>\n<p>Pincus notes, \u201cOnce Irving is back healthy and starting, Holiday can move to shooting guard or a sixth-man role.\u201d With the No. 1 pick\u2014presumably <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/cooper-flagg-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cooper Flagg<\/a>\u2014already secured, Dallas has breathing room to let go of Gafford and Washington.<\/p>\n<p>The Mavericks would keep cap flexibility and a strong defensive core. Nico Harrison\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/15\/nico-harrison-press-conference\/\" target=\"_self\">focus on building a title team around defense<\/a> stays intact.<\/p>\n<h3>The Nets Make a Calculated Move<\/h3>\n<p>Brooklyn doesn\u2019t land a star but gains something valuable: cap control and draft flexibility. Pincus explains, \u201cThe Nets didn\u2019t jump to No. 1\u2026instead falling back to the No. 8 pick.\u201d Their best path might be patience.<\/p>\n<p>This trade gives the Nets short-term contracts that help them reach the salary floor. Pincus says, \u201cGetting to that number may not be as easy as it looks.\u201d The Celtics&#8217; offer fits perfectly\u2014no long-term financial damage and plenty of future options.<\/p>\n<p>They also collect additional picks and keep the option to flip Porzi\u0146\u0123is later. It\u2019s a rebuild-friendly move.<\/p>\n<h3>The Bottom Line<\/h3>\n<p>The Celtics $230 million decision isn\u2019t just about money\u2014it\u2019s about strategy. With Tatum sidelined, Boston can\u2019t afford to carry bloated salaries for a lost year. This deal saves them money and keeps them competitive.<\/p>\n<p>For Dallas and Brooklyn, it aligns with each team\u2019s direction. The Mavericks chase contention. The Nets chase draft positioning.<\/p>\n<p>If it goes through, this trade reshapes the future for all three franchises\u2014especially Boston\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><label>Credit: <\/label>\u00a9 Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Boston Celtics just hit a major crossroads. After falling to the New York Knicks in the second round, they face a brutal financial reality. Jayson Tatum\u2019s Achilles injury sped up the timeline. Suddenly, next season\u2019s outlook looks far more complicated\u2014and expensive. Celtics Predicted to Save $230 Million While Landing New Center Tatum&#8217;s Injury Forces [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5018,"featured_media":142779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,5,6,30,3,4721],"tags":[50219,50244,48964,1453,159,450,798,239,138,406,4745,2111],"class_list":["post-142778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-celtics","category-nets","category-mavericks","category-news","category-trade-rumors","tag-2025-nba-free-agents","tag-2025-26-nba-season","tag-cooper-flagg","tag-daniel-gafford","tag-dwight-powell","tag-jaylen-brown","tag-jayson-tatum","tag-jrue-holiday","tag-kristaps-porzingis","tag-kyrie-irving","tag-nba-injuries","tag-pj-washington"],"modified_by":"Frederick Okocha","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5018"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142778"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":142789,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142778\/revisions\/142789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}