After Jayson Tatum's franchise-altering injury, the Boston Celtics cannot justify staying over the second apron next season.
They already feel the financial ramifications and roster-building restrictions of operating above that threshold for multiple years. For example, Boston cannot utilize the taxpayer mid-level exception.
Furthermore, the Celtics can only trade the 28th overall selection in this year's draft, plus one of their first-round picks in 2026 or 2027, and a 2030 pick swap. They've parted with their 2028 and 2029 first-round draft capital. They cannot trade their 2031 selection because their 2032 first-round pick is frozen.
The team's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, reiterated at Monday's end-of-season press conference, "The north star is to have a championship contender."
However, the predicament Boston finds itself in also requires him to convey within that same response, "We just have to look at it all and decide how feasible that is on any given year, and then make sure we're making the decisions accordingly. We have a lot of good players. We're in a unique situation. They're all under contract. And obviously, there are several basketball penalties that will come with that amount of salary. So, we just have to weigh it all and make those decisions."
As the Celtics navigate a summer of uncertainty, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed a three-team trade that could help the Celtics maximize the 2025-26 campaign. It would also benefit them in future seasons.
While the franchise loves Jrue Holiday, he's owed $104.4 million through 2027-28. The final year of his deal is a $37.2 million player option for his age-37 season.
Favale proposes that Boston send the two-time All-Star to the Dallas Mavericks for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
To help make the math work, the Brooklyn Nets would receive Dwight Powell, who has a $4 million player option, for the upcoming campaign, and a 2026 second-round pick [the most favorable of the Minnesota Timberwolves', New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, or Portland Trail Blazers, via Boston].
From this vantage point, it's a deal that benefits all parties involved.
The Celtics trim payroll and add two players who can help them remain competitive next season. Gafford is a rim-protector at one end and a lob threat at the other.
With Kristaps Porzingis likely to get traded as a cap casualty, and uncertainty about whether Al Horford and Luke Kornet have played their last games with Boston, the franchise bolstering its depth at center is paramount. That statement is true even if Horford and Kornet return.
Gafford averaged a personal best 12.3 points this season. He also grabbed 6.8 rebounds and blocked 1.8 shots per contest across 57 games.
Washington is capable of playing the three and the four, is a better defender than given credit for, and, most importantly, a threat from beyond the arc.
The 26-year-old wing converted on 38.1 percent of the 4.2 threes he hoisted this season. Even with his numbers skewed by years when he played fewer than 50 games, he's nearly a career 36-percent three-point shooter on 4.9 attempts.
Washington, who would provide the Celtics with an athletic, versatile wing entering his prime, produced career highs of 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds this season. He also swiped 1.1 steals and swatted 1.1 shots.
While Boston would love to retain Holiday, Tatum's franchise-altering Achilles tear and operating over the second apron the last two years force their hand. Still, a proposal like this is an ideal pivot that will help on the books and the hardwood.