Goodbye to Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday: Celtics set for drastic roster revamp with superstar names at risk

The Boston Celtics are preparing for one of the most dramatic offseasons in recent franchise history, and almost no one is safe. According to reports from ESPN, every player on the roster—except one—is potentially up for trade this summer as the organization faces mounting financial pressure under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.

The only Boston Celtics player not available for trade

Tatum, Boston’s cornerstone and face of the franchise, is the only untouchable as President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens explores options to reshape the roster and slash payroll.

The Celtics are staring down the barrel of a significant overhaul, despite years of sustained success that culminated in a dominant run to last year’s championship. But after falling short in this season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks—dropping two games at TD Garden and losing Tatum to a devastating Achilles injury in Game 4—the team’s outlook has shifted sharply.

Why are the Celtics reshaping their roster?

It was already clear that the roster, as constructed, wouldn’t be financially sustainable beyond this season. Now, with the “second apron” looming—a punishing new salary cap threshold that severely limits team-building flexibility—Stevens is reportedly open to dealing nearly everyone not named Tatum.

The 27-year-old forward from Missouri just signed a new five-year contract extension worth an estimated $313 million, locking him in as Boston’s centerpiece through 2030. Even with his Achilles injury potentially sidelining him for the whole of the 2025/26 season, Tatum remains the focal point of the Celtics’ long-term plans. Both Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla are expected to build around him with the goal of capturing another title in the coming years.

But beyond Tatum, everything else is in flux.

Huge superstars among Celtics trade candidates

The most likely trade candidate is Kristaps Porziņģis, due to both his expiring contract and manageable $30 million salary for next season. His deal makes him a valuable asset for teams looking to add a skilled big man without long-term financial risk.

Another major name on the table: Jrue Holiday. The 35-year-old guard has been vital to Boston’s two-way identity—part glue guy, part star—but he’s owed $104.4 million over the next three seasons. That’s a hefty price tag for a franchise already projected to carry the NBA’s highest payroll at $227 million. With Tatum sidelined, a legitimate title push next season looks unlikely, making Holiday’s deal even harder to justify.

This offseason could see Mazzulla coaching a dramatically different group than the one that brought Boston back to the NBA mountaintop. Even in a relatively weak Eastern Conference, the Celtics’ status as perennial contenders will be tested, and rival teams are already circling, eager to take advantage.

NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown not safe

Inquiries—not formal offers just yet—have reportedly come in for several key players. Perhaps the most sensitive situation involves Finals MVP and longtime co-star Jaylen Brown. The 27-year-old wing, who’s under contract for four more seasons at $236.1 million, saw his efficiency dip this year and missed the All-Star Game. Trading him would mean dismantling a core that’s been in place since he was drafted third overall in 2016—but his contract could become a major burden as the new cap rules tighten their grip.

Also drawing interest is Derrick White, a defensive standout and ideal fit in Boston’s up-tempo offense. He’s set to make $28.1 million next season and could be a valuable trade chip if the Celtics opt to go younger or cheaper.

Meanwhile, sharpshooter Sam Hauser—Boston’s sixth-highest paid player despite making just over $10 million per year—represents another potential asset, especially given his shooting consistency and low cost.

And then there’s veteran center Al Horford. The 39-year-old Dominican big man is out of contract and may be considering retirement, leaving another question mark at a critical position.

In short, Boston’s front office has its work cut out. With sweeping changes potentially on the horizon, the 2025/26 campaign could mark the beginning of a new era—not just for the Celtics, but for the NBA landscape as a whole.

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