The Boston Celtics find themselves in quite a spot heading into next season with what was the most expensive roster in NBA history.
Following their Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers trade, they are heading in the right direction, but aren’t in the clear just yet.
With Jayson Tatum likely out for all of, or the majority of, next season, things become a bit more complicated, and they need to choose what direction to head in.
According to The Athletic’s Jay King, the Celtics are still shopping Kristaps Porziņģis in order to clear up money and duck the second apron for next offseason.
“Even after trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Celtics still need to trim nearly $20 million to get under the second luxury tax apron and another $20 million beyond that to escape the luxury tax entirely,” King said Tuesday. “Because of that, league sources believe the Holiday trade will be only the first domino to fall for Boston. The Celtics are still shopping other players, including Kristaps Porziņģis, with an eye on alleviating their salary-cap dilemma, according to league sources.”
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Porziņģis was a key piece to the team's success, as a 7’2 big man who protects the rim and has the ability to knock down 30-foot shots.
What he can do is very hard to come by, and when he is healthy, there is no doubt he is one of the most valuable players in the league.
The Celtics have some thinking to do, however, and need to decide if holding out and keeping him is worth it to risk having him suit up when Tatum is back from his injury.
Right now, it looks like they are doing the opposite, and Porziņģis could be on his way out of Boston just after two years, much like Holiday.
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