The Boston Celtics weren’t supposed to be here-at least, not like this. Sitting at 18-11 after a gritty comeback win over the Indiana Pacers, Boston has been one of the more intriguing storylines of the early 2025-26 NBA season.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to injury, expectations were tempered. But Jaylen Brown has stepped into the spotlight, leading a cast of role players who’ve embraced the moment and pushed the Celtics up the Eastern Conference standings.
This wasn’t the plan. Over the summer, Boston shed a mountain of salary to get under the second apron, signaling a potential reset or at least a more financially conservative approach.
But now? With the team outperforming projections and sitting in the thick of the playoff picture, the front office might be rethinking that strategy.
The big question: Will the Celtics be willing to flirt with the luxury tax again?
According to league intel, Boston could go in a few different directions, especially when it comes to the future of guard Anfernee Simons. He’s on the books for $27.6 million this season, and while moving that salary could help the Celtics stay under the tax threshold, there’s also a growing sense that the team might be willing to pay a bit of tax if it means staying competitive.
There’s no clear-cut decision yet, but the situation around Simons is one to watch. The ideal scenario for Boston, according to sources, would be to find a deal that brings back a rotational piece while also trimming their tax bill.
That’s easier said than done, of course, but the Celtics aren’t in a rush. They’ve got time before the trade deadline, and they’re not operating from a position of desperation.
And then there’s the wildcard: Jayson Tatum. While a return this season remains uncertain, the mere possibility adds another layer to the Celtics’ decision-making.
If there’s even a remote shot that Tatum could come back, that changes the calculus. Suddenly, a team that’s already overachieving could be looking at a real playoff run.
For now, Boston’s front office is walking a tightrope-balancing long-term flexibility with the reality that this team has something going right now. Jaylen Brown is playing inspired basketball, the supporting cast is punching above its weight, and the Celtics are winning games they weren’t supposed to.
Whether that’s enough to convince the team to dip into the luxury tax remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the Celtics aren’t quietly fading into the background this season. They’re very much in the mix-and that makes them a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches.