The Celtics have some difficult decisions to make this offseason as they look to shed salary. But which path they go down is the big question mark. They’re all but certain to make deals to move contracts, it’s just a question of which guy they let go over the course of the summer.
Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles tendon in the playoffs also changed the equation significantly. The Celtics won’t be at full strength for the 2025-26 season, meaning they have a chance to push a soft reset. While some have floated around the idea of trading Jaylen Brown, NBA analyst Alan Hahn doesn’t believe that’s the best course of action during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” show Tuesday.
“I wouldn’t trade Jaylen Brown,” Hahn said. “To me, you keep these two guys together. You build around them again. They are getting older. Those two guys are in their primes. You gotta continue building around them. You can’t build with older more expensive players. You need a year to do that. It’s OK to take that kind of gap year.”
Brown, 28, battled injuries himself throughout the last season, which included a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. But he should be good to go for next year as he’s going to be the No. 1 guy for the foreseeable future with Tatum out. Hahn does make the point that both guys are in their primes considering Tatum is 27, though it’s unclear how long his rehab process will take in the upcoming months.
The Celtics could trade guys like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Sam Hauser or someone else on the roster depending on the right deal. All those guys have varying trade interest, so that’s where things get tricky. Plus, there aren’t many teams with salary cap space, leaving the Celtics with only so many options this summer.
Regardless, the C’s are going to make changes. They pushed all-in for the past two seasons with an expensive roster — it paid off with the 2024 NBA championship. But now the bill is due in the form of luxury tax penalties, so the Celtics and the front office will need to get savvy with their salary cap this summer.
“You have enough there that you can make a push, still be a play-in team,” Hahn said. “But also, move on some older pieces. Reset the roster knowing you still have two centerpieces to build around.”
