The Boston Celtics' priority was saving money this offseason. They managed to do that by trading Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons and Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang. Making those two trades saves them tens of millions on their payroll while also ridding themselves of long-term money.
Holiday had three years left on his deal, and he will be paid more each year. Trading his $140 million contract saved Boston so much money on their payroll, even if Simons doesn't make much less than him. Porzingis' deal was expiring, but going from him to Niang saved Boston over $20 million.
There is no telling if the Celtics are done making trades. They haven't made one since finalizing their deals to acquire Simons and Niang. They can trade either of those two, but they can't trade them with any other players because of a trade restriction that will be lifted on September 7.
The Celtics are not out of the woods. Because they are in the NBA's second tax apron and are $20 million over the luxury tax, The Ringer's Michael Pina floated that not only are Simons and Niang still available, but Sam Hauser might get traded too.
"Boston is still in the second apron and about $20 million over the luxury tax, but, regardless of what Brad Stevens has said, it would be a true stunner if it didn’t shed more money during the season to dodge repeater tax penalties," Pina wrote. "The likely casualties are Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang, but no one should be shocked if/when Sam Hauser gets traded."
Hauser will start the first year of a four-year contract worth $45 million this season. He makes a little over $10 million for the 2025-26 season, so trading him wouldn't get them out of the luxury tax, but it would get them closer to reaching that goal.
