The Celtics are bound to get trade calls this summer as teams around the league know they must shed salary. There are multiple players who could see themselves traded in the coming weeks as the payroll will need to be slashed going forward.
But according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, talking live on the Pat McAfee show Wednesday, it sounds like there is a chance anybody could be moved this summer — it just depends on the price. When asked by McAfee if everyone but Jayson Tatum is on the table, Charania said “essentially.”
“The other big-ticket item I think this offseason is the Celtics and what are they going to do,” Charania said. “And the primary focus, from my understanding, with the Celtics’ offseason has been Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Sam Hauser, their trade markets. Now, are teams making big offers and calling about Jaylen Brown and Derrick White? 100%. The Celtics prefer not to trade them, from my understanding.
“But, listen, if they get a big offer, they have to look at everything, and I think they’re going to get offers on the three guys that they’re focused on. They’re going to get offers potentially on Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. And I think between now and the draft and free agency, they’re going to evaluate what makes sense from a value perspective and that’s where they’re going to move.”
The Celtics getting trade calls about Holiday, Porzingis and Hauser is no surprise considering their contract status. Each player has their own unique skillset that adds to the team, but depending on contracts and trades, could see themselves moved.
The more interesting angle is on White and Brown, two starters who have been key pieces for the Celtics in recent seasons. Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, recently had surgery to repair the partially torn meniscus in his right knee, though he’s expected to be ready for training camp in a few months.
Brown has already been in trade speculation over the past few weeks with teams like the Spurs. As Charania noted, the Celtics likely prefer not to trade the longest-tenured player on their roster. However, if a team is willing to give up picks and other players, that could change the conversation. Brown is also set to enter the second year of his five-year supermax extension come the 2025-26 season.
White, who turns 31 next month, could arguably have the best trade value on the roster considering his contract and skillset. He’s shown his value for the Celtics consistently on both ends of the court and is well-liked within the organization. He signed a four year, $118 million extension last summer that’s set to kick in starting next season. That’s great value as teams will have to factor that into any trade offer.
It’s no surprise the Celtics are listening to any and all trade calls at this point. They can go a number of different directions this summer depending on the offers they get. The C’s are also in a unique position because Tatum will sit at least the majority of next season due to his ruptured Achilles tendon. So, the front office can look beyond just the 2025-26 season and think about how they can arm Tatum with talent going forward.
