The Boston Celtics may have to navigate next season without Jayson Tatum. Even if he returns, it's unfair to saddle him with the expectation he immediately returns the team to title contention in 2025-26.
That reality may force the franchise to take a step back to gain more long-term flexibility. The 2023-24 NBA champions have spent consecutive campaigns operating over the second apron. Doing so for a third straight season, under these circumstances, seems untenable.
The league's punitive collective bargaining agreement levies repercussions too steep to disregard.
The Celtics do not have access to valuable roster-building tools, like the taxpayer mid-level exception. They can only trade pick No. 28 in this year's draft, plus a first-round selection in 2026 or 2027 and a 2030 pick swap. They've parted with their 2028 and 2029 first-round draft choices. They cannot trade their 2031 selection since their 2032 first-round pick is frozen.
There are also severe financial penalties that could shape Boston's offseason.
For instance, Sam Hauser is under contract for slightly north of $10 million for the 2025-26 campaign. However, even if the Celtics wiggle under the second apron before the end of the upcoming league year, the franchise would have to pay approximately $5.5 for every dollar spent at its repeater rate. That means Hauser's price tag effectively becomes $55 million next season. That might lead to his departure.
Boston's dealing with a difficult predicament. However, there is a source it can turn to help address the situation.
Celtics could check multiple boxes with this nostalgic trade idea
Brian Robb of MassLive proposes Boston partners with the Portland Trail Blazers on a deal that returns Robert Williams III to the franchise that drafted him.
Two years ago, the two sides orchestrated a trade that sent the Time Lord to the Pacific Northwest and Jrue Holiday to the C's. That was crucial to raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters.
Facing a new reality, the pitch outlined is as follows.
Celtics receive: Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle
Trail Blazers receive: Kristaps Porzingis
Should the Celtics make this trade?
Since it's a financially-driven deal for Boston, that's the first place to examine.
Williams is on an expiring $13.3 million salary. Thybulle has a player option valued at $11.6 million for the 2025-26 campaign. The deadline is Jun. 24 for him to decide on that. However, that can get pushed back.
Should the two sides agree to this trade, the Celtics would shed $5.9 million in payroll. That's not a figure to be brushed aside, given the exorbitant cost of their roster.
And in a season where title contention appears unlikely, fans would appreciate the nostalgia of seeing Williams turn back time by skying for an alley-oop or when he volleyball-spikes a shot from the opposition.
As for why Portland might do this, the Trail Blazers may aim to take a step forward after finishing just outside of the Western Conference play-in tournament.
Due to injuries, Thybulle played in only 15 games, while Williams suited up for 20. That hampers their trade value. It also means this trade would provide a rotational addition without subtracting from it.
Porzingis would give their offense a floor-spacing center who can punish mismatches on post ups. He's also an impactful rim protector. Portland could see how he operates alongside last year's seventh overall pick, Donovan Clingan, in double-big lineups.
Even if they don't work well together, Porzingis is an upgrade over DeAndre Ayton, who the Trail Blazers could ramp up efforts to trade.
Perhaps both sides will find better offers elsewhere for the names involved in this proposal. However, it's a realistic option that may prove worth revisiting if more appealing scenarios don't materialize.
