The Boston Celtics’ title defense hopes fell short as they lost in six games to the New York Knicks. Given their historic $231 million payroll (close to $500 million with tax penalties) in the 2025-26 season, roster changes were always expected for the Celtics in the 2025 offseason. The likelihood of these changes further skyrocketed after their second-round loss and Jayson Tatum‘s injury.
With new ownership and an unprecedented payroll, the Celtics will be focused on getting under the second apron, which is $207 million. The Celtics will have to consider salary dump-based moves for some of their players. While other roster changes are possible, especially with Boston’s free agents Luke Kornet and Al Horford, these three Celtics are unlikely to be on the team next season. With that in mind, let’s dive into the most likely Celtics players to change teams this offseason.
Celtics Fans Can Say Goodbye to These 3 Players
3. Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday has been a crucial and underrated part of the Celtics’ success since being acquired in the 2023 offseason. He provides incredible defense along with high-level spot shooting, rebounding, and connective playmaking. However, as the Celtics look to shed salary, Holiday is a natural trade candidate. Trading Jaylen Brown or Derrick White is illogical, so Holiday is the odd man out. Additionally, despite his well-rounded impact, Holiday has shown signs of offensive decline at 34.
With his age and three years left on his four-year $134 million contract, Holiday’s trade value is pretty low. Nonetheless, Holiday’s incredible experience and two-way value are easy to talk yourself into, especially at a low price. Even if the return isn’t ideal, trading Holiday could be a necessary move for the Celtics to get under the second apron. Of the players on this list, Holiday is the most likely to return, but still appears to be on the move.
2. Sam Hauser
It has been well discussed that Sam Hauser‘s time in Boston is running out, especially with the emergence of Baylor Scheierman. ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that keeping Hauser could cost the Celtics $90 million. While Hauser is a quality role player and an elite spot-up shooter, this is far too steep a price to retain him.
Moreover, Scheierman showed plenty of flashes in his rookie year that would allow him to replicate Hauser’s role with an added flair of playmaking and rebounding. Despite the financial implications of keeping Hauser, his four-year, $45 million contract is solid value, and plenty of teams would be intrigued by adding a role player like him.
1. Kristaps Porziņģis
Similar to Holiday, since the Celtics traded for Kristaps Porziņģis, he has been a vital part of Boston’s success. Porziņģis provided the Celtics with immense two-way value as a rim protector, inside scorer, and floor spacer. However, with his injury history and poor playoff performance, it feels likely that Porziņģis will be traded this offseason. In the playoffs, he averaged just 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 31.6 percent from the field.
Porziņģis was battling the aftereffects of a mysterious illness and clearly wasn’t at full strength. As the Celtics look to shed salary, Porziņģis feels like the most likely candidate. His trade value is low after the playoffs, and with his extensive injury history. Regardless, some teams will be interested in buying low on Porziņģis given his upside and expiring $30 million contract. Even in a salary dump type of move, it feels likely that the Celtics will part ways with Porziņģis.
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