The Boston Celtics are preparing for the 2025-26 NBA season with a significantly lighter salary cap load after executing a major salary dump centered on Kristaps Porzingis. Faced with a staggering $500 million payroll, the team, led by President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, moved Porzingis’ $30.7 million contract along with Jrue Holiday’s $32.6 million salary through consecutive trades to alleviate luxury tax pressures and gain roster flexibility.

Porzingis, a Lithuanian big man, was included in a three-team trade finalized between Boston, Atlanta, and Brooklyn, as first reported by NBA insider Shams Charania. This move marks a decisive step in the Celtics’ efforts to reshape their roster after underwhelming results following their last championship run.

Details of the Three-Team Trade Clearing Kristaps Porzingis’ Salary

The trade deal sent Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick from Boston to the Atlanta Hawks. In exchange, the Celtics acquired forward Georges Niang and a second-round draft pick, while the Brooklyn Nets received Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 draft selection. This arrangement allows the Celtics to shed Porzingis’ sizable contract without sacrificing future assets or major core contributors.

Alongside the prior trade that moved Jrue Holiday to Portland—yielding Anfernee Simons with an expiring deal—the Celtics have slashed over $63 million in guaranteed salaries. Although the team assumed Simons’ $27.6 million and Niang’s $8.2 million contracts, these are more manageable compared to their previous payroll. As a result, Boston successfully dropped below the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, reducing the financial penalties and restrictions that come with repeatedly surpassing it.

Fan and Analyst Praise for Brad Stevens’ Trade Execution

Following the completion of these trades, Celtics fans and basketball analysts expressed admiration for Brad Stevens’ skill and strategy in managing the team’s roster and salary obligations. Many viewed these moves as a demonstration of Stevens’ shrewdness amid a challenging market and luxury tax climate for high-spending franchises.

In less than 24 hours, Brad Stevens saved Boston over $200m in luxury tax payments, got them out of the 2nd Apron, and set them up with flexibility to re-tool around Tatum in 2026-27. Absolute masterclass— Lucas Burns (@nba_indepth)

Observers noted that Stevens did not sacrifice valuable assets in the process, pointing out that the Celtics acquired a proven scorer and multiple draft picks while shedding costly contracts.

Brad Stevens didn’t attach a single asset to get off of Jrue Holiday’s bad contract or Porzingis $30 mil deal, instead he somehow acquired a young 20 ppg scorer AND added 3 second round picks. How in the world— Brandon Awadis (@brawadis)

The consensus among many fans is that the Celtics’ front office displayed exceptional business acumen in securing deals that not only clear cap space but also add potential contributors.

Impact of the Trades on Celtics’ Roster Flexibility and Future Plans

These moves reveal a shift in Boston’s approach after learning from the recent NBA Finals that assembling a superteam loaded with high-paid stars is not always a winning formula. Instead, the Celtics appear to be targeting sustainable roster construction with financial flexibility to adjust as the league evolves.

Managing the luxury tax apron is critical in this context because repeated violations can hamper a franchise’s ability to sign free agents or retain top players. The front office’s priority to avoid such penalties is clear in their aggressive salary management post-title season.

Despite easing their luxury tax burden, the Celtics are not entirely finished with roster adjustments. The team is reportedly entertaining offers for All-Star Jaylen Brown, who carries a substantial contract but remains a desirable asset for contenders looking to bolster their chances.

Jaylen Brown Attracts Trade Interest Amid Salary Restructuring

Sources confirm multiple teams have expressed interest in Jaylen Brown, signaling his value despite the hefty contract he holds. As reported by Shams Charania on The Stephen A. Smith Show, players with high salaries are increasingly attractive for teams willing to take risks in pursuit of a championship.

There are multiple teams that have significant interest in Jaylen Brown. The contract is steep, but there are teams, especially in today’s NBA… It’s an arms race. Even if your team is meddling in the playoffs, you are trying to make a swing.— Shams Charania

Given the evolving landscape of the NBA, where franchises compete aggressively by absorbing major contracts to improve, Brown’s status as a trade candidate could impact Boston’s decision-making over the coming months. The Celtics seem prepared to explore all options as they navigate a transition phase ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The Broader Context of Celtics’ Salary Maneuvers and Future Outlook

Brad Stevens’ ability to orchestrate complex trades under difficult circumstances highlights his reputation as one of the NBA’s most capable operators. By shedding nearly $64 million in salaries without sacrificing promising assets or draft capital, Stevens positions Boston to remain competitive while mitigating costly luxury tax repercussions.

The team’s tactical acquisition of expiring contracts signals an awareness that upcoming years might require roster retooling, particularly with Jayson Tatum’s contract and future team-building priorities in mind. This strategy allows Boston to pivot quicky after a championship cycle that showed the limits of heavy payrolls laden with injured or aging veterans.

Fan reaction underscores the growing respect for Stevens’ front office work, with many highlighting the contrast to slower or costlier trades elsewhere in the league. As the Celtics continue to reshape their roster, the combination of salary savings and incoming talent could set them on a sustainable path toward competing again in the coming seasons.