Celtics Reportedly Not Looking to Make 'Doncic-Sized Change' amid NBA Trade Rumors

Even though the Boston Celtics are on the verge of having new ownership come in, there's no expectation they will completely transform their roster despite their growing financial commitments between payroll and luxury tax payments.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Celtics aren't looking to make a "Dončić-sized change" in the near future despite some teams hoping they might have a chance to acquire Jaylen Brown in the offseason:

"Several league figures with knowledge of Boston's thinking have remained adamant about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continuing to be the unquestioned on-court pillars of this franchise … despite the wishful thinking from some teams out there that Brown would somehow be made available this summer. And if the Celtics are able to go back-to-back during the forthcoming playoff tournament, it figures to be even more of a moot point."

Given how poorly things have gone for the Dallas Mavericks since their shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers under the cover of darkness on Feb. 2, there probably aren't many teams eager to make a seismic deal like that.

The future for this Celtics roster as presently constructed is very much up in the air right now. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on March 20 that a group led by Bill Chisholm agreed to purchase the Celtics from the Grousbeck family for $6.1 billion.

There are still steps in the process before the sale is complete. ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted the NBA board of governors could vote to approve the first part of the sale, which would have at least 51 percent of the franchise transfer to the Chisholm group, as soon as this summer.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Celtics are projected to have the highest payroll in NBA history next season with a number that could climb over $500 million after they fill out their roster.

The Celtics don't have a lot of money coming off their books this summer. Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Torrey Craig, who are making a combined $12.4 million this season, are their only unrestricted free agents.

Current Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck all but admitted there will be some significant moves coming due to the NBA's new rules.

During a March 21 appearance on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show (h/t NBC Sports' Kurt Helin) said "you can't stay in the second apron" because of how restrictive the penalties are.

Assuming that both Brown and Jayson Tatum are untouchable, the Celtics' most-likely trade chips to help them get out of the second apron would be Jrue Holiday ($32.4 million salary in 2025-26), Kristaps Porziņģis ($30.7 million) or Derrick White ($28.1 million).

From that trio, Holiday would probably be the Celtics' preferred trade candidate. He's the oldest player in that group (34; he will turn 35 on June 12) and is having his worst season by points per game (10.9) since his rookie year in 2009-10.

Holiday's contract could prove to be a significant hurdle if the Celtics want to explore that option. He signed a four-year, $134 million extension in April 2024 that has two more guaranteed years remaining plus a $37.2 million player option for 2027-28.

Porziņģis could fetch a pretty good return since he's still an efficient scorer and will be playing on an expiring contract, but his injury issues might hurt his overall value in a trade.

White, who just signed a four-year extension in July, would seem like a last-resort option because of how instrumental he is to their success on both ends of the court.

Even though there are several potential significant changes looming for the Celtics, it doesn't seem to be impacting their performance on the court. They have won seven straight and 12 of their last 13 games since March 2.

Boston (54-19) can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with one more win or loss by the New York Knicks. The top seed is still in play, but the Cleveland Cavaliers (59-14) have a five-game advantage with nine games remaining in the regular season.