Celtics Reportedly Expected to Make 'Major Trades' in Offseason, Spurs, Rockets Linked
The Boston Celtics' title defense seems to be running out of steam with a 3-1 deficit against the New York Knicks and Jayson Tatum sidelined by injury, which means their upcoming offseason is now coming into focus.
And it could be a busy offseason.
"In the first round of the playoffs, there was an executive from another team who said, 'I expect the Celtics to make major trades,'" ESPN's Marc J. Spears reported Tuesday (four-minute mark). "They've got five guys who are making $28 million or more, two superstars making over $50 million, new ownership. They're going to make some changes. I don't expect this team to be the same."
Spears mentioned the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets as the "two teams I'm kind of keeping an eye on" when it comes to potential trades with Boston.
The immediate future is anything but promising, as Monday's loss meant Boston is facing the 3-1 deficit against New York in the second round. The loss was particularly difficult because Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles.
Boston announced Tuesday that he underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
Still, the setback could sideline him for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign, which would drastically alter the team's championship chances. Whether that impacts the team's approach in the offseason remains to be seen, but trading away one of the other veterans could allow for something of a reset.
It could also leave the team in position to be more competitive with younger players or even draft picks in return in such a trade when Tatum is ready to come back, potentially in 2026-27.
Only Al Horford is scheduled for free agency this offseason among the Celtics' primary contributors, so it may require a trade or two if they are going to look much different other than Tatum's absence.
Houston is intriguing and will surely be mentioned as a trade candidate for a number of teams this offseason. After all, its young core propelled it to the second-best record in the Western Conference in the regular season, but it was clear it was a piece or two away during a first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors.
It should come as little surprise, then, that it has already been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors, but trading for one of Boston's players will surely cost far less in compensation than acquiring the Milwaukee Bucks star.
As for the Spurs, a trio of Victor Wembanyma, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is quite the starting point. Still, they haven't been to the playoffs since the 2018-19 campaign and could be aggressive as it seeks a way to maximize Wembanyama's prime with impact pieces around him.
Landing a championship-tested veteran from the Celtics' roster could allow them to do just that.
