The Boston Celtics Are in Big Trouble Next Season!
The Boston Celtics are going to face major question marks in the offseason. They got bounced by the Knicks in round two and their franchise star tore his Achilles in game four. The Celtics do have enough talent to survive without Tatum, but what’s going to happen in this off season will fracture the foundation of this team because Tatum’s injury is one of the many problems they’re going to have to deal with. The rest of the league is bracing for some level of change to come to the Celtics from their roster this off season. Obviously losing Tatum for potentially the entire next season will hurt, but the Celtics playing the East, you can still see a path that these guys can still make the playoffs next year. Listen, he said he’s trying to get back in 9 months. Don’t know how if that’s possible or not. It obviously depends on how rehab is. It is possible because everyone obviously heals differently. We’ve seen people come back earlier from obviously Achilles and ACL injuries now because usually those are the ones that take one year. So, like if he’s like on it on his rehab and the healing process is actually, you know, he’s lucky in the healing process, I could see a I could see a path where he’s back, you know, playoff time next year. And he’s not the only injury we have to worry about. Jaylen Brown, it was reported that he was playing on a partial torn MCL, torn meniscus as well. So, who knows what his status is going to be. Obviously, he will probably look to be coming sooner than later. We’ll see what that happens as well. But the biggest issue with this team was not this at the moment, right? Even when they were healthy, there was a big question mark heading into it. This is more recency bias that we’re talking about. It was a report that Shams had either in round one or before round one started that the Celtics need to make trades come this off season. And the reason why I say that is Jason Tatum’s contract is going from 34 million this season to 54 million next year. And that’s a 20 million jump. And the reason why I say that is the NBA has changed their cap rules and all that stuff. The reason this so in general that’s a 20 million jump they’re already past the second apron if that’s that’s the case here’s essentially this is you know I guess a short quick issue there like this is the real issue they have to face right like this is the main issue that you know people need to have more conversations about people probably already have but like this right here what the Celtics got to deal with it is massive the reason why it is massive because just last year these guys won the NBA title and they won in dominating fashion they were the best team throughout the regular season and in the playoffs, right? And that that’s because they were able to add pieces to, you know, surround themselves surround themselves with championship winning pieces and ultimately it led to what it was exactly a title, right? Surrounding Tatum and Brown with the right fits and the right pieces and the right stars. So just last year we’re like, you know, this team can go back to back if they’re healthy, right? And obviously then we see the first three games in the Knicks series, they’re down 2-1. And then in game four, they did blow another fourth quarter lead, losing to the Knicks, being down 3-1. And on top of that, you lose Jason Tatum for quite possibly the next year as well. So when you’re looking at it, it just like it just one one I guess playoff loss just like change the direction of how we looking at the Boston Celtics now. And that is like because of what you said, Tatum’s massive contract is kicking in next year. And the issue is now that one of Drew Holiday or maybe both two or multiple, but one or multiple of Drew Holiday, Derek White, and Tingis Pingis might have to be gone next year. Listen, I don’t think it’s happening, but Jaylen Brown can be the conversation. I don’t think so. And I’ll talk about Jaylen Brown in a second because listen, at the end of the day, J, if Jason Tum was healthy next year, I believe this team was still like a top four, top five team in the East regardless. They obviously have listen the good thing is they’re like for example if you’re going to move out from Drew Holidayiday yes he didn’t have the greatest postseason this year he still has some type of value um that could garner a return the problem is Jason Tatum is now down and this is where Jaylen Brown assuming he’s healthy got paid to be a number one essentially and this is time for him to shut all of us up thinking that he’s not a number one in this league obviously at this moment he’s probably a 1B but there’s still an argument is he more of a number two than he is a now he has the opportunity he has the He’s he he is the 1A. And going back to the cap situation here once again, um breaking that down this year, they’re they’re at 193 million. I think that’s already over, but they were still in the apron. That’s why they were able to pay guys like Chris Pzinga. Sorry, uh Derek White and Drew Holidayiday, right? Drew Holiday got the extension when he got traded there. Next year, the caps are 227 million with all those guys. I’m assuming Al Horford’s coming back. He’s the only one that’s really off the books and I feel like he’ll come back on a minimum because it’s Al Horford. is and he’s 38 years old. According to Bobby Marks from ESPN, the cap is projected to go up 10%. The league set the cap is projected to be at 154.6 million projected to be at 187.9 with a luxury tax. So they’re obviously well above over that uh sorry projects to be 195.9 and the second apron to be 27.8 million which is higher than which is higher by 17.8% last year. They are already over that. So that’s why they need to make trades and the question is who are the people to be traded right? That is the main question, right? I think here’s the thing. I one last thing. Here’s the thing. It is going to be a one year like a one-year issue for me in my opinion because once Tatum comes back healthy, I feel like assuming he’s the same Tatum, they should be fine going into the future. No, but here’s the thing. I can’t guarantee that. You know why? We’ve seen clear flaws with this Celtics team before they before last season and their last season title one. The issue with the Boston Celtics was they lacked a big man and they lacked a a ball handler. Not necessarily like a full-blown facilitator like he needs to be like Chris Paul, but a guy who just, you know, could bring the ball the up the court. So J Jason Tatum and J Brown could start in their spots already instead of them bringing ball the ball up the court as well. And obviously Brown and Tatum’s handle is not the greatest either. Obviously, they’re more for their shot making ability and obviously their defense as well and shot creation as well, but that’s where a guy like Drew Holiday came in. He did that and provided the elite elite defense. And then another guy you brought in Chris Porzingis who was able to ring protect when he was healthy and on the floor and it was able to stretch the floor and was able to hit that mid-range shot as well and be a proper, you know, stretch big as well. So them adding those pieces is the reason why they got elevated to that title contender. Like at the end of day, they were there, right? But Tatum and Brown just needed some little bit more help and they they got that right. But now obviously you’re going to have to move on from one or two of these guys here. And I’m assuming like personally I would obviously I’m going to keep the younger guy in Dererick White over Drew and his contract is more cheaper and Drew Holiday. But the problem is he is the more valuable I would say in my opinion because Drew Hald is 34 years old. So, this is the point I’m getting to. So, say you’re going to get rid of getting rid of Drew Holiday and Christozingis, right? Let’s just say they’re going to get traded just to be cap compliant for next season. You’re going to have to find a way to get a somewhat not exact replica of Drew all day, but like a somewhat, you know, similar type of player where a guy could handle the ball and was able to set up, you know, Tatum and Brown when they back when they’re back healthy to create the offense as well as not be a an issue defensively because the big thing about the Celtics team was that they were literally one to five so good defensively each and every player. they could switch anyone and anyone can guard any team’s best player, the opposing team’s best player. And obviously with Chris Hzingis is they lacked a big and it was an issue because at the end day Al Horford logging those many minutes is not good for him, right? And uh getting another big was very important, talented big and they got Pzingis, but now they’re going to have to find a way to get his abilities as well and his type of player as well. So if they don’t do that, I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be a one-year fix. So that’s why these decisions are so important because if they want to stay in that upper upper top upper tier one level of the teams like I’m not saying if these guys are gone they’re going to drop all their like tier two or tier three like but if they want to stay in the upper you know the best team in basketball they’re going to have to figure out a way to make these trades and get the right pieces and right fits back. Here’s the thing. One, they have Brad Stevens in the front office. I trust him. He made these moves anyways. Two, you have valuable pieces to move. Maybe the only one is Chris Epsus. I’ll say that he has $30 million next year. Maybe they buy him out. I don’t know what the case is going to be. Drew Holiday, like I’m looking at my Lakers, for example. I don’t know if they’ll make a trade, but I’m just saying like they could try to finesse away and get someone decent to help him right now, right? Next year. Yeah, you’re right. The question is like there’s seven like if you’re looking at it realistically right now, they’re seven players deep when they’re healthy at the best. How Horford coming off the bench. Obviously, Pton Pritchard is six man of the year, right? I’m banking on Jason obviously Jason Tatum coming back healthy. the following year. Jaylen Brown, let’s see what type of player he is next year. Um, and I’m I’m if I’m the Celtics, I’m keeping to quite like you said. Simple as that. So, you’re going to move off of Drew Holiday. You’re probably going to, first of all, the team that you make trades with, unless you’re cap dumping him to a team that has no cap, literally, uh, sorry, has has to hit the cap floor, like a young team, and that they could deal with like kind of like how Drew Holiday got traded to Portland, for example, like that type of way, then that’s a different story. Then you can free up the cap space. Looking at free agency right now, nothing crazy. Obviously, their player options with certain guys. James Harden, I I think he’s going to go back to the Clippers. I we already know the Kyrie Irving experiment there. I don’t think LeBron’s going there. Fred has a club option. If they get rid of him, maybe they could bring in a guy like Fred Vanley to be that ball handler. We’ll see how that ends up being. Um they could also do sign and trades. DA Russell’s available as well. Yes, he doesn’t hit the hit the defensive side of things. Chris Paul is going to be available again as your facilitator. But overall though, here’s like the thing is when you’re looking at the competition in the East, I’m only confident in Pacers, the Knicks, the two teams that are in the conference finals this year, assuming nothing changes too much. And I’m confident in the Cavs to hopefully have a bounceback year. I don’t know what’s happening with Giannis. If the Sixers are healthy, they’re a team that might come up next year for sure. Um, but that’s about it. So Boston could has a legit chance to still be a top six team next year. Yeah, top six is a case. You could still see, you know, the Pistons obviously being ahead because they’re on the come up. Magic figure, they could be up there and they’re healthy next year in my opinion. And yeah, like at the end of the day, like minimum these guys are going to be a seven, eight seed in my opinion next year because they do have enough talent with Jaylen Brown and even if you lose, you know, Drew Holiday, you’ll still get something back somewhat some player like, you know, a playable player back. Same with Porzingis, I believe. And uh at the end of day, Jaylen Browns and the surrounding cast of you know Derek White and Payton Pritchard I think will be enough for them to like at least be in a playing spot for sure guaranteed in my opinion. Well, you know, like I said, like you don’t need a superstar or a all-star level player at every position, right? Just find a guy that could play their role, right? I’m looking at a guy like I’m not saying if Vita Zubach is going to be available. I’m saying a guy like that who’s fulfilling his role properly. You can find a big man like that. Your scorers are gonna be Jason Tatum. Yeah. Or Jaylen Brown, sorry. for next year specifically, you’re gonna have Derrick White hopefully take a step in that case, right? But if you’re looking at teams that potentially need to make trades that are basketball type trades, obviously I said the Lakers, we’ll see what happens with OKC because they have to pay their guys eventually as well, right? JDub and and and uh Chad who are having phenomenal offseasons right now. The MVP Shay Gel Alexander is going to up for a super max and he’s probably going to get it because he’s literally the MVP of this year. Um those are some team Denver, they have a lot of question marks happening there as well. So, like just before we close it out here, these guys still will be fine. I trust their front office. I like I said, young it’s tough to come back from an Achilles. I get that. But like we’ve seen a lot of cases now where players have come back regardless of age. Like look at Kevin Durant for example. Jason Tatum at the end of the day he was a top five MVP candidate in my opinion last year. When he comes back he should probably be the same that way. So they they don’t have to worry about that. Only thing I just think they have to worry about next year and then if they could figure out certain things like do they have young guys? in the draft. Maybe next year’s a flyer year. Let’s say this is they do the Golden State when when uh Kevin Durant left, K Curry got hurt, Draymond got hurt, Klay Thompson was out for the year. They might have that type of situation and they have assets they could trade for example like how Golden State did not trade their guys. They might have the assets to trade and boom, someone’s going to come in return who’s we know this is the NBA. Someone’s going to be disgruntled obviously like you know like Julius lot a lot of parody and there’s all the slow. So like my biggest issue is that we’ve seen clear and obvious problems from the Celtics pre championship year that got solved by making a trade for Drew Holiday and Chris Rosing. So my only concern is that can you get those fits back again next season? And if you can, I will still have full confidence in the Boston Celtics. If not, I’m not saying they’re going to be like, you know, have a fall off or anything. I still think they’ll do enough to make the playin as long as you know Brown and Pritchard and Derek White stay healthy and along with Al Horford as well and I think they will you know be able to make a playoff/play and push guaranteed in my opinion but the thing is just to get there and get to back to the championship level they answered questions with getting Drew Holiday and Chriszingis. So, in my opinion, it is very important to get some sort of similar players that filled those roles back in return just because that’s what got him over the hump uh last year when they beat the Mavericks in the final. Yeah. No, overall, like I said, for me, just to close it out here, Celtics next year might be a flyer year, but after that, this should be fine, assuming health is good. I Listen, this front office for the most part, listen, I’m not a Celtics fan. Neither are you. We don’t like the Celtics, but at the end of the day, you got to respect what their front office has done prior to Brad Stevens and now post Brad Stevens. The question is the coaching and the three-point shooting. That’s the that’s a different argument to have. But in terms of roster construction and development of certain players, they’re able to get it done. I feel like they’ll be fine. They’re lucky they’re in the Eastern Conference, especially if Giannis goes to the Western Conference. So, that’s the good thing. If this was a West, okay, then I’ll be like, next year, write them off. There might be a right off assuming if Jaylen Brown doesn’t pan out what he wants to be. Last thing and very last thing I want to say let’s see Jaylen Brown your time is up. Time is now sorry and see what’s going to happen. This is your chance to prove to people like hey I am a number one in this league and you could play build a team around me and let’s see how that happens. Yeah that’s why like when you’re looking at Jaylen Brown in that and case like that’s obviously going to be his pro year but at the end day Jaylen Brown has nothing left to really prove in my opinion. He is at the end of the day a bonafide year in year outl all-star and you know at the end of the day like that’s you know a top level player in the NBA and he has been that you know throughout his career and especially you know these recent years as well. Obviously he wants to be the number one and that this is his best chance of proving it. I 100% agree with that. But in terms of like I don’t think there’s that much pressure really on him just to do it just because at the end we’re not going to expect much. And like look here’s the thing because he the only way you will see like only way is pressure is if he comes out and says that you know this is my team I got to do this. I got to take all that then yeah if he’s going to own it then you’re like you know you got to own it and you know step up. But at the end of the day you know he at the end he is still like a one v maybe a two but I think he will do a good job. I think I’m I I’m I’m like I say, I’m f the reason why I didn’t talk much about Tatum is because I’m confident he’ll come back from his injury. And the reason why I’m not talking much about Brown is because I’m confident he’ll do his job, too, because he has done that the last couple of years. And he showed that last year in the postseason as well. But yeah, as you could tell, this is our basketball channel. Make sure you guys hit that subscribe button, like this video down below, comment down below what teams you would like to talk about that are in the playoffs right now, that are out of the playoffs. Make sure you guys check out this video coming up to our left, our predictions for this West or Western and Eastern Conference finals that are popping up. And we’ll catch you guys on the next one.
The Boston Celtics just got eliminated in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs, and the problems are piling up fast. With Jayson Tatum suffering a devastating Achilles injury in Game 4, the franchise now faces tough offseason decisions that could reshape its future. In this video, we dive into the big issue nobody’s talking about—the Celtics’ cap situation, looming trade decisions, and how they’ll need to retool if they want to stay contenders in the NBA. From injuries to salary cap pressure, this could be a turning point for the Boston Celtics.
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