The Boston Celtics were eliminated from the NBA playoffs following the loss of Jayson Tatum to an unfortunate ruptured Achilles injury. Tatum, who was the brightest star on the Celtics, could miss all of next season recovering from the injury, which typically takes anywhere from a year or longer to recover from.
With the Celtics now having to regroup for the offseason without Tatum in the plans, the next step is finding talent that could potentially step up and be a replacement for the 2025-26 season. Considering that Tatum is one of the best players in the league, that seems like an impossible feat.
Another potential idea for the Celtics is to make a couple of adjustments on the roster to try and get more athletic and younger. That would be tough to pull off considering their payroll, but they might have some interest in moving one of their players this offseason.
Jrue Holiday Drawing Interest for Trade if Celtics Make Changes
The Celtics could potentially have a payroll that reaches $500 million if they keep the same roster. There are several routes they could go to if they want to make a move. The contracts of Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White, or Jrue Holiday could be utilized to supplement the roster.
Holiday might be the most likely choice to go, as he will earn $32,400,000 next season and will turn 35 during the 2025-26 season. With such a hefty contract at that age, there are routes the Celtics could go to make a deal.
Several contenders could be interested in Holiday, especially considering his defensive prowess. Holiday could bring a defensive presence to teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves (depending on Mike Conley’s future), and several others.
“His reputation as a known winner and top defender should interest several contending teams if the Celtics do look to move him, according to league sources,” reported Jay King of The Athletic.
Could Holiday be traded? While Porziņģis would also be a good option for trade as well, Holiday is older and a smaller guard, which could lead to the Celtics getting younger, more athletic talent back in a trade. Regardless, “the front office was already thinking about significant offseason changes before Tatum’s injury, according to team sources,” says King, showing that change is on the horizon.
Will the Celtics Compete Next Season?
Without Tatum, the Celtics should still be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, barring a drastic drop-off, given the talent currently on the roster. But in a parity-driven league, nothing is guaranteed. Jaylen Brown will be the No. 1 option for the team unless the Celtics somehow make a trade for another superstar.
We haven’t seen what a Brown-led Celtics team looks like in his prime, but it is impossible to know how well this team will do until the offseason moves are completed. White and Brown will most certainly still be on the roster next season, but will Porziņģis or Holiday be on the move?
