President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens
Even after securing their 18th NBA championship last season, the Boston Celtics are encountering significant challenges, primarily driven by the constraints of the salary cap. General Manager Brad Stevens recently shed light on how these financial pressures are influencing the team’s ability to maintain its roster.
In a landmark move, the Celtics have reached an agreement with star forward Jayson Tatum for a five-year, $315 million supermax extension, marking the largest contract in NBA history. Confirmed by journalist Chris Haynes, this deal includes a player option and will take effect starting the 2025-26 season.
Currently, Tatum’s contract runs through the 2024-25 season, during which he is set to earn approximately $34.8 million. With Tatum’s new extension set to kick in, the Celtics’ payroll for the 2025-26 season is projected to soar to an estimated $254.3 million, potentially making them the most expensively assembled team in NBA history.
Investing in a Dynasty
The Celtics’ commitment to their star players is evident. Alongside Tatum, superstar Jaylen Brown signed a five-year, $303.7 million extension last season. The Celtics’ impressive performance last season, which saw them win a total of 80 games and capture the championship, underscores their intent to build a dynasty.
Despite the massive financial commitment, the Celtics are investing heavily in their championship window. With projected payrolls of $250.1 million in 2026-27 and $220.9 million in 2027-28, Boston is all-in on sustaining their success over the coming years. This commitment reflects their desire to capitalize on their recent success and establish a lasting legacy.
Salary Cap Realities and Future Challenges
Brad Stevens has acknowledged the challenges that come with such high financial stakes. In a recent statement, Stevens addressed the difficulties of constructing a competitive team within the constraints of the salary cap.
“What we want to do is try to get our guys locked in on fair and good extensions that they feel really good about and hopefully continue this thing as long as we can continue this thing,” Stevens said. “We’ll cross every bridge when we get there, and the different basketball penalties that will be associated with being above the second apron, those are real, and we’ll just have to weigh those against where we are as a basketball team, and we’ll also have to weigh the financial part of that. And I’m sure part of that will be a discussion amongst whoever the new investors are.”
The Celtics have managed to retain 13 of the 15 players from their championship roster. However, the team is projected to exceed the salary cap significantly, potentially assembling the most expensive roster in NBA history by the 2025-26 season.
Looking Ahead
With the majority of last year’s championship-winning lineup intact, the Celtics have a strong foundation to replicate their success. The challenge will be balancing the financial constraints with maintaining a competitive roster. If the Celtics manage to secure another championship, the substantial investments made in their roster will validate the financial risks and further solidify their place in NBA history.
