After the Celtics’ championship game, General Manager Brad Stevens tackled the team’s salary challenges head-on with two swift and pivotal trades, especially in the realm of player transactions. First, the Celtics sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two draft picks. Then, they traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks in return for Georges Niang and another draft pick. This series of moves saved the team around $40 million in luxury tax, successfully lowering their payroll below the second tier of the luxury tax line, showcasing Stevens’ exceptional skills in managing the team.
First, let’s take a deep dive into the Boston Celtics’ first trade. With this deal, the Celtics not only brought in Simons and two second-round draft picks (the 2030 Knicks pick and the 2031 Blazers pick), but they also immediately improved their salary structure, making future moves more flexible. According to NBA salary expert Bobby Marks, this trade has helped the Celtics save around $40 million in luxury tax and has brought them close to the upper limits of the salary cap.
With core player Jayson Tatum dealing with an Achilles injury and Jaylen Brown undergoing knee surgery, the Celtics are clearly in a rebuilding phase, where their current roster’s competitive strength isn’t the top priority. The highlight of this trade is that Stevens managed to acquire a young player on an expiring contract, Simons, without giving up any draft picks, which undoubtedly adds flexibility for the team’s future development. Additionally, the two second-round draft picks acquired can serve as potential resources for other trades.
In contrast, for the Trail Blazers, this trade might seem like a loss, but in reality, it’s a crucial step toward the playoffs. With recent struggles on the court, the Trail Blazers are looking to strengthen their young roster through the acquisition of Holiday, especially in nurturing their young backcourt players, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. This trade brings essential support to their development.
Since his transition from the Bucks to the Celtics, Holiday’s share of ball control has noticeably decreased, redefining his role as a crucial element in defense and teamwork. He’s not just an important tactical pillar; he brings invaluable playoff experience to any team aiming for success. This is especially significant for younger teams, as having a seasoned veteran can stabilize the entire roster’s dynamics.
As the trade rapidly developed, Porzingis became a hot commodity in the market. Within less than 24 hours, the Celtics, Hawks, and Nets pulled off a three-way trade. In the end, the Celtics landed Niang and a second-round draft pick for 2031, while the Hawks acquired Porzingis along with a draft pick.
Despite Porzingis having only one year left on his contract and dealing with injuries over the past two years, the market’s evaluation of him remains controversial. However, for the Hawks, his addition would not only bolster their interior defense but also bring shooting ability from the perimeter, expanding the offensive space for the team.
Overall, these two transactions not only enhance the Celtics’ flexibility in salary management, but also lay a solid foundation for future tactical adjustments. Under Stevens’ adept management, the team has not only achieved structural balance but also sparked significant hope for the future.
