The confetti has barely settled on Banner 18, but the Boston Celtics’ offseason is already in full swing. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens wasted no time reshaping the roster, making significant moves driven by the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement and the team’s luxury tax situation.
These changes have ignited a flurry of trade rumors and set the stage for intriguing decisions ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Salary Cap Maneuvers: The Big Trades
The most impactful moves so far saw the Celtics reportedly trade two key players from their championship squad: Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. These decisions weren’t about performance, but about shedding significant salary to navigate the punitive second apron of the luxury tax.
Multiple reports indicate these strategic trades aimed to provide the Celtics with crucial financial flexibility moving forward, potentially saving the organization hundreds of millions in projected tax payments.
Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks: In a reported three-team deal also involving the Nets, Boston sent Porzingis and a 2026 second-round pick to Atlanta. In return, the Celtics reportedly received forward Georges Niang and a 2031 second-round pick.
Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers: Holiday was reportedly traded to Portland for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
The return in terms of immediate on-court talent was noted as relatively modest, partly because other teams were aware of Boston’s urgent need to cut salary, limiting the Celtics’ leverage in negotiations. However, the primary objective – getting below the second apron – was reportedly achieved without having to include prized assets like Jaylen Brown or Derrick White in the outgoing packages initially. This financial flexibility is particularly vital as Jayson Tatum recovers from an Achilles injury, with his return reportedly anticipated in 2026-27.
Rumors Swirl Around Jaylen Brown and Derrick White
Despite successfully moving Holiday and Porzingis, speculation continues to mount around other core Celtics players, particularly Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. While reports indicate Boston prefers to keep both guards and has set a high price threshold for any potential trade, that hasn’t stopped teams from calling.
ESPN’s Shams Charania recently stated that the Celtics are “getting offers (and) calls” for both players. Insider Brian Windhorst added that teams picking in the top 10 of the upcoming draft are actively making offers for Brown and White.
Specific reported trade pitches include:
The Toronto Raptors reportedly offered the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 draft as part of a package for Derrick White.
Danny Ainge’s Utah Jazz reportedly made an “aggressive push” for Jaylen Brown, with a speculated offer involving the No. 5 pick and multiple players on expiring contracts.
While the volume of calls underscores the league’s interest, Windhorst suggested that Brown and White are likely to remain Celtics unless a truly overwhelming offer materializes, questioning if Boston’s front office is “in love” with any specific prospect high in the draft.
Other Potential Trade Candidates
Beyond the star duo, attention has turned to other players who could be moved to create further salary cap space or reshape the roster.
Sam Hauser: The market for the sharpshooting forward is reportedly “robust” leading up to the draft, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. Hauser’s team-friendly contract and elite three-point shooting make him an attractive asset for other teams.
Anfernee Simons & Georges Niang: As recent acquisitions primarily brought in for salary reasons, Simons (acquired for Holiday) and Niang (acquired for Porzingis) could also be candidates to be moved again if the Celtics look to shed even more salary to potentially dip below the first luxury tax apron entirely.
The departure of Kristaps Porzingis also highlights a need for frontcourt depth, making decisions regarding impending free agents like Al Horford or Luke Kornet more pressing.
Draft Strategy: Trade Up or Trade Down?
Armed with the No. 28 pick in the first round and the No. 32 pick overall (second round) in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Celtics face key decisions on draft night.
Historically, Brad Stevens has shown a tendency to trade back or use draft picks to acquire more established talent, a strategy that contributed to building the championship roster. However, last year marked a shift when he used a first-round pick on Baylor Scheierman.
Now, conflicting reports suggest Stevens could look to move both up and down the draft board:
Reports indicate Boston is trying to trade up into the lottery (top 14), potentially eyeing a specific prospect like Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis.
Conversely, analysts like Chris Forsberg have speculated whether Stevens might revert to type and trade back from No. 28 to acquire additional picks early in the second round.
Navigating the draft board will require balancing potential prospect talent with the team’s immediate needs and ongoing salary cap considerations.
Tatum Honors Former Teammates
Amidst the business decisions, Celtics star Jayson Tatum offered a glimpse into the human side of roster changes, posting heartfelt tributes to both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis on social media, acknowledging their significant contributions to the championship run.
As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, the Celtics offseason remains highly active, with financial constraints, trade rumors, and draft decisions poised to shape the team’s path forward after hoisting Banner 18.
