In a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Shams Charania shared that people around the NBA are buzzing with excitement about what might unfold this summer.
"This is the most, I think, anticipation [that] team executives have had over an offseason," said Charania. "I think this offseason might be the most craziest ever."
Parody would be the primary catalyst behind the Association letting off a round of summer fireworks. However, it would also be a product of a more punitive collective bargaining agreement, making it harder to achieve roster continuity.
The Boston Celtics can attest to the latter's constraints.
An offseason of significant change awaits the Celtics
In his same appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Charania stated what many expect to happen with the Boston Celtics this summer.
"The Celtics will explore trades; they're going to make moves this summer," declared the ESPN insider.
More importantly, Charania essentially labeled Jayson Tatum as the team's only untouchable.
"Jayson Tatum, of course, he's injured, [you] can't really trade him. That's really the face of your franchise. I think after that, it's really going to depend on what value can you get.
"I think teams are going to express a lot of interest in Jrue Holiday. Teams are going to inquire about Kristaps Porzingis. Teams are going to inquire about Jaylen Brown. And I think the Celtics are going to have to identify what value can we get for each of these players."
How dramatic will the Celtics' roster makeover be?
As Charania notes, that depends on the value players in Boston have around the league.
The two most likely trade casualties for a franchise that may prioritize getting under the second apron are Holiday and Porzingis. The former is a two-time NBA champion, a valuable presence in the locker room and the community, and still capable of playing at a high level at both ends of the floor.
However, Holiday turns 35 in June. He is owed $104.4 million through the 2027-28 season. The final year of his contract is a $37.2 million player option for his age-37 campaign.
Porzingis is on an expiring $30.7 million deal. He's dealt with injuries and the lingering effects of post-viral syndrome that have limited his availability and impact the last two postseasons.
Still, the seven-foot-two center, who turns 30 in August, is a reliable rim-protector, three-point threat, and one of the league's most effective post-up options, efficiently punishing switches.
The primary return for both could be the financial levity that helps Boston get under the second apron and remain below that threshold after filling out its roster.
The Celtics also might find a suitor below the first apron willing to utilize the $10.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception to absorb Sam Hauser's $10 million salary.
The six-foot-eight sharpshooter averaged 8.5 points in 21.7 minutes last season. He converted on 41.6 percent of the 5.6 threes he hoisted. Hauser is also a better defender than he's often given credit for.
However, even if Boston gets under the second apron this offseason, the organization would have to pay roughly $5.5 for every dollar spent at its repeater rate. That means Hauser's price tag effectively becomes $55 million for the 2025-26 campaign. That might force the team's hand.
Will the Celtics go star-hunting this summer?
The franchise doing its due diligence means weighing the merits of trading Jaylen Brown.
Perhaps it's an idea the team quickly dismisses. However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst says not to rule out Boston when considering Giannis Antetokounmpo's next home.
Turning that into a reality is a complex process that would require getting under the second apron. The Celtics would also have to part with Brown to slide the best offer across the Milwaukee Bucks desk.
Whether either side is open to that proposal is anyone's guess. However, with Charania reinforcing that there's only one untouchable on the roster, it's a scenario worth taking note of.
