The Boston Celtics are surging and have moved up to third place in the Eastern Conference with a 19-12 record as of Monday afternoon. While they have clearly performed above expectations and will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason, their real objective is to contend for a championship in the 2026-27 season when Jayson Tatum is back to his full health. The Celtics must keep this in mind as they look to build out the roster for the second half of this season and beyond.
Whether it's through the trade deadline before February or in the 2026 offseason, the Celtics will surely make significant changes to the roster. Finding the optimal fits around Tatum and Jaylen Brown, while remaining financially flexible, will be key. This means that players who don't fit the system or the salary structure of the Celtics will have to be parted ways with in the new year.
That's why these three Celtics will likely be leaving Boston at some point in the New Year.
1. Anfernee Simons, PG/SG
Unfortunately for Anfernee Simons, he is the most obvious departure candidate in Boston. It's not like the 26-year-old guard is playing poorly. This is more about the financial situation the Celtics are in and the fact that Simons is not the cleanest fit on this roster.
If Simons had a team-friendly deal, having an off-the-dribble shooter like him would be very useful to bring off the bench. However, he makes $27.6 million this season and will look to have a lucrative, long-term deal when his contract expires after this season.
With Payton Pritchard and Derrick White playing the lion's share of minutes in the backcourt, Simons is an expensive luxury to have. The Celtics would be better off replacing him with a guard who is not a defensive liability like Simons. He will either be traded before February or sign elsewhere in the offseason.
2. Sam Hauser, PF/SF
Sam Hauser is in a similar situation to Simons. He is a valuable player, as there aren't too many players who are better shooters than Hauser in the league, especially as a 6'8" forward. His ability to get shots off against any defender, with impressive volume and accuracy, has been important for the Celtics over the last several years.
Unfortunately, the 28-year-old forward makes over $10 million this season and $10.8 million in the 2026-27 campaign. He is under contract until the 2029 offseason, limiting Boston's financial flexibility.
Hauser is also one of the few mid-sized contracts the Celtics have, making him an attractive trade chip. As an expendable player, Hauser would almost certainly have to be included in any trade the Celtics bring back a veteran. All signs are pointing towards Hauser getting traded in 2026.
3. Xavier Tillman Sr., C/PF
This may be the easiest selection on this list. Xavier Tillman's contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 NBA season, and he has not been a part of the rotation. Despite the Celtics' desperate need for more center depth and quality, Tillman rarely gets a look. The last time Tillman got minutes outside of garbage time was on Nov. 30, highlighting how little faith head coach Joe Mazzulla has in him.
The 26-year-old big man has been in Boston for two years at this point. When he was acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, many thought that his defensive versatility and ability to stretch the floor with his shooting could help the Celtics. He has never been able to put this skill set to use in Boston. His shot never fell, and he failed to make an impact on the defensive end. In the end, he proved to be too much of an offensive liability to ever see the floor for Mazzulla.
If the Celtics can find a suitor for Tillman, they could trade him at the deadline. That seems implausible at this point, meaning that he will likely walk in the summer.