Celtics front office executive reflects on their transformative offseason

The Boston Celtics are undergoing significant roster changes following their second-round playoff exit to the New York Knicks. Key departures include Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet, who are now on different teams. Additionally, Al Horford is unlikely to return, and star player Jayson Tatum will miss the entire next season due to a torn Achilles tendon.

This transition, coming off a dominant 2024 championship win, represents a major shift for the organization. An anonymous Celtics front office executive, speaking at NBA Summer League, expressed the difficulty of trading Holiday and Porzingis, acknowledging they were loved in Boston. However, the executive stated bluntly that the team simply isn't at the same competitive level without Tatum.

The executive predicted the Celtics will still be a playoff team next season but acknowledged they won't be title contenders. They framed the roster moves as a necessary response to the NBA's salary cap rules, specifically the punitive "second apron," arguing it's poor management for any team above that threshold not to be contending for a championship due to penalties like frozen picks.

The Celtics are not alone in facing misfortune; the Indiana Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton (also torn Achilles) and the Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard after his Achilles injury. Consequently, the Celtics view next season as a transition year. Barring unforeseen events, the team's focus is on returning to full strength and contention for the 2026-27 season.