The Celtics were staring down a brutal fork in the road after last season’s playoff collapse. Either keep the core intact, pay sky-high luxury tax bills, and risk locking themselves into a rigid, aging roster-or hit reset, shed salary, and punt on contention for a year or two. But instead of choosing one extreme, Brad Stevens and the front office pulled off something few teams manage: they walked the tightrope between financial flexibility and on-court competitiveness-and somehow didn’t fall off.
The final move came just before the trade deadline, when Boston dealt Xavier Tillman Sr. to the Hornets. On paper, it looked like a simple salary dump. In reality, it was the last piece of a carefully calculated puzzle that allowed the Celtics to sneak under the luxury tax line-without sacrificing their shot at a title.
And here’s the kicker: six months ago, if you heard the Celtics were cutting costs at the deadline, you’d probably assume they were barreling toward a lottery pick. Instead, they’re sitting at 33-18, tied for the second-best record in the East, and looking like legitimate championship contenders-even with Jayson Tatum sidelined.
A Roster Reimagined-And Improved
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Celtics let go of some big names last offseason. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were both shipped out.
Al Horford and Luke Kornet left in free agency. At the time, those moves looked like a team waving the white flag in the name of financial relief.
But fast forward to today, and it’s clear those decisions weren’t just about trimming the fat-they were about getting leaner and faster. Porzingis has only played 17 games this season and has already been flipped again by the Hawks.
Horford’s been banged up and largely ineffective on a Warriors squad clinging to play-in relevance. Holiday has been solid when available, but he’s only played in 22 games, and his contract is aging like milk.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have found gold in unexpected places. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, both on minimum deals, have outperformed expectations-and frankly, outperformed the guys they replaced. Add Nikola Vucevic to the mix and suddenly Boston’s frontcourt has a new dimension, especially in terms of spacing and offensive versatility.
The youth movement has paid off, too. Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez have all stepped into meaningful roles and delivered. These aren’t just warm bodies eating minutes-they’re making plays, defending, and contributing to wins.
And then there’s the steady core: Jaylen Brown and Derrick White continue to anchor the team with consistency and poise, while Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are proving that their extensions were bargains, not overpays.
With Tatum out, this team still goes 10-deep on any given night. That’s not just depth-it’s quality depth, the kind that can swing playoff series.
And when Tatum returns? Boston’s ceiling only gets higher.
Financial Flexibility Without the Fallout
Now, let’s talk about the financial side. The Celtics didn’t just trim salary-they dodged the luxury tax entirely. That’s not just a win for ownership’s wallet; it’s a strategic move with real basketball implications.
By getting under the tax, Boston avoids the punitive roster-building restrictions that come with being a repeat taxpayer. That means no limitations on trades, full access to the midlevel exception, the bi-annual exception, and freedom to be active on the buyout market. In short: the Celtics now have a full arsenal of tools to keep improving this roster.
And they didn’t get here by gutting the team. They got here by making smart, calculated moves-like Tuesday’s Simons deal and a series of minimum-salary dumps (Tillman, Chris Boucher, Josh Minott) right before the deadline. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.
The Road Ahead
This isn’t just about this season. The Celtics have set themselves up to be aggressive in the years to come. They’ve preserved flexibility, built a deep and dynamic roster, and avoided the kind of financial handcuffs that limit so many contenders.
Brad Stevens has turned what looked like a tough offseason into a masterclass in roster construction. He didn’t just stop the bleeding-he gave this team a transfusion. Now, with Tatum’s return on the horizon and the East wide open, Boston is positioned not just to compete-but to win.
And for the rest of the league? That’s a scary thought.