Will Celtics Let Trade Assets Waste For The Third Year In A Row?

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics are third in the East with a 30–18 record. They are mounting a surprise playoff challenge. Jayson Tatum’s return could elevate that into a serious title push. It remains unclear if they will pull every lever to contend. Will the Celtics, for the third year in a row, let their trade exceptions expire?

Will Celtics Let Trade Assets Waste For The Third Year In A Row?

Why the Exceptions Went Unused

Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Over the last three NBA seasons under the 2023 CBA, the Celtics generated trade exceptions they never used. The main reason is structural. Boston operated as a second-apron team in both 2023–24 and 2024–25. Under the 2023 CBA, teams above the second apron cannot use trade exceptions. That restriction froze Boston’s flexibility, even when exceptions existed. The result is a multi-year pattern of unused assets. Payroll positioning, not roster indifference, drove it.

What Boston Has This Season

The Celtics reportedly offered Anfernee Simons, a first-round pick, and a first-round pick swap to the Clippers for Ivica Zubac, but the Clippers showed no interest, per @MikeAScotto

“When the Clippers were struggling with a 6-21 record to begin the season, the Celtics inquired… pic.twitter.com/lHX4QvBeZr

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026

This season, Boston has three active trade exceptions. They include $4 million from the Jaden Springer trade. They also include $4.7 million from the Jrue Holiday trade. The largest is $22.5 million from the Kristaps Porziņģis trade. The Springer exception expires on Feb. 6. The other two expire in July. Brad Stevens has shown little urgency to use them. He likely wants to reduce tax exposure for Brad Chisholm’s ownership group. Boston could target players like Nikola Vučević or Day’Ron Sharpe using these trade exceptions. Cost control, however, remains the priority.

Frontcourt Focus, Unclear Action

Stevens has expressed interest in improving the team’s frontcourt. The Celtics have engaged in trade discussions for Vučević and Ivica Zubac. Whether that interest turns into action remains the central question.