It’s difficult to imagine how the Boston Celtics plan to divvy up their cap space this offseason. The postseason results will dictate that.
Lose in the postseason play-in? Forget it. Heads will roll everywhere. Everyone outside of the Jays (hell, maybe even outside of just Jayson Tatum) not tied down will be sent into the wind.
Lose in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals? Well, it could be the same result if Boston is swept by the likes of Milwaukee or Brooklyn, who would qualify as a potential nightmare matchup. A close series mitigates the damage slightly.
Ditto for the second round. Obviously, the scale continues to slide the deeper the Cs go in the playoffs and how badly they lose.
If somehow, the Cs can make a run to the conference finals for the fourth time in five years, perhaps Danny Ainge can retain the current makeup of the team.
Easier said than done, though.
Remember, the Boston Celtics have several ascending near-max/max salaries on their books. Jaylen Brown will be making just under $25 million while Jayson Tatum will make $28 million. Kemba Walker will be in the third season of a four-year $141 million contract.
Things get even murkier in 2022. Marcus Smart will be due for a contract extension, and Walker has a $37 million player option he can turn down in pursuit of a slightly lower salary over several more years.
Critical monetary decisions for core roster members are coming next offseason, but before those come, Boston may have to deliver the axe to these two Cs that may be cap casualties: