As the NBA Playoffs are set to resume Tuesday and Wednesday, I’ve officially finished grieving the Boston Celtics’ elimination last week at the hands of the New York Knicks. With Knicks fans — particularly my friends — constantly reminding me on social media that they won, I found myself looking at this Celtics team with a sense of pride.
When this team was constructed back in 2023, it opened the championship window. Trading for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday was seen as the move that could finally get Boston over the hump. Despite the lofty dreams of winning multiple titles, this group will have to settle for just one NBA championship.
But what a championship it was. This team was special — and it ended a 16-year drought.
However, by trading for and extending these players, the Celtics ran into a financial problem. They can’t afford to keep paying the luxury tax indefinitely, and staying in it long-term comes with penalties that could hurt the team’s future. Knowing that, this season was always viewed as the last ride for this group.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined by a torn right Achilles, Brad Stevens and incoming team owner Bill Chisholm have a lot of decisions to make.
Reports suggest that two players from the core of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Tatum may have to go for the team to be financially compliant.
Even without the injury, Tatum was never going to be traded — and I believe Brown is in that category too.
At his press conference Monday, Stevens was asked about Brown taking over the leadership role with Tatum sidelined.
“I have full faith that anytime you have one of those guys on the court, you have a good chance to win. I have full faith in Jaylen,” Stevens said.
ESPN reported a couple of weeks ago that Horford’s preference is to stay in Boston. However, as an unrestricted free agent, he could test the waters. It wouldn’t be the first time he left — a few years back, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers.
Teams in contention will be eager to land someone like Holiday. A versatile veteran and proven winner, he could spark a bidding war if Boston chooses to flip him for assets.
Porzingis, with his injury history, could also be on the move. When healthy, he was a difference-maker — especially on the defensive end, where he provided true rim protection.
At the end of the day, the reality is this group won’t be the same team that takes the parquet floor next season. Changes are coming.
But they did their job.
They brought Banner 18 back to Boston.
And their legacy will always be tied to the city.
