The 2024-2025 NBA season didn’t end the way the Boston Celtics anticipated, losing in the second round to the New York Knicks in six games. Amidst their exit, they also lost Jayson Tatum, rupturing his right achilles in the Game 4 loss.
Tatum’s loss adds to the Celtics' uncertain and gloomy future, considering the team was crowned champions less than a year ago. Could the championship window be closed, or will the team retool?
Either way, Brad Stevens must make some tough decisions due to the second apron. With a long and busy offseason approaching, these are three moves I believe Boston must make.
1. Trade Kristaps Porzingis
In just two years, Kristaps Porzingis has become a Celtics fan favorite. His ability to hit threes while being an elite defender in his tenure showed why he earned the “unicorn” nickname.
His Game 1 performance in the NBA Finals will live forever in Celtics fans' memories, as he gave it his all while battling through injury. Porzingis helped push the Celtics over the hump and he should forever be remembered for that, but his tenure has run its course.
Porzingis’ health is the biggest reason why the Celtics aren’t still in the playoffs. The illness that forced him to miss eight games reappeared in the second round, as he averaged 4.2 points, 3.7 rebounds in 15.6 minutes. Porzingis shot an abysmal 24% from the field and 22.2% from three.
When the team needed him most, he was unplayable, forcing Luke Kornet to pick it up in his absence. Although injuries and health issues are out of his control, it’s something that happens every year with him, and it’s taken its toll.
Brad Stevens knew the risk of trading for him, and it paid off. Now, it’s time to move on from him before it's too late. Porzingis is entering the final year of his two-year, $60 million extension, and the Celtics, as it stands, will have to pay an estimated $238 million in luxury tax.
Stevens must trade Porzingis and try to get something in return for him before next year’s trade deadline. The Celtics cannot continue to rely on Porzingis to be healthy anymore because it won’t work in their favor.
His injury history is lengthy, playing in 117 out of 194 games in his Celtics tenure, including playoffs. Without Jayson Tatum this upcoming season, the Celtics won’t be title contenders. It’s important that the team trades Porzingis, gets value in return, and cuts how much they owe in luxury tax.