The Boston Celtics must improve their roster around Jayson Tatum after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. It was supposed to be a gap year for Boston with Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles, but that never happened. Brad Stevens dismantled the title team. Didn’t matter. Jaylen Brown kept them in contention, and Tatum returned sooner than anyone expected. The Celtics weren’t built to win the title in 2026, but they could be next season. All it takes is trimming the fat and adding the right pieces.
The biggest swing on the board is trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has interest in joining the Celtics, but acquiring him would cost Jaylen Brown. Trading JB off the best season of his career is a bold move, especially with Giannis’ injury history. Boston would likely be wise to avoid the Greek Freak, which leaves problems to solve.
The Celtics have 14 players under contract and are already flirting with the luxury tax line. They have to trade Sam Hauser, bench Neemias Queta, and mix the back end of their roster if they want to be a serious title contender in 2027. Here is a look at who must go and which players should move to the bench next season.
The Celtics need to trade Sam Hauser to avoid the luxury tax
Boston is just $14 million below the luxury tax line with 14 players on their roster. Adding one piece to replace Nikola Vucevic isn’t going to push them into title contention. The Celtics need multiple upgrades, so they should look to trade Hauser’s $10.8 million salary to get some room.
The 6’7 wing is an elite shooter, but depth is more important than ever. Boston should be looking for a defensive upgrade and may use the extra money to solve their biggest weakness.
Neemias Queta must be benched by the Celtics
Queta had a breakout regular season, but he was limited to 21.7 minutes per game in the playoffs and benched in the crucial Game 7. The big man actually played a series-high 32.5 minutes in the decisive contest, but Boston had no other option. Queta should be a 20-minute per game reserve behind a stretch five big man that fits head coach Joe Mazzulla’s scheme.
Finding someone capable of spacing the floor and protecting the rim won’t be easy. The Celtics searched for a center upgrade at the deadline and only came away with Nikola Vucevic. Solving this issue will be challenging, but it should be Boston’s top offseason priority.
Celtics need to decline Dalanto Banton’s team option
Boston has a team option for $2.8 million on Banton that should be declined. They can save a bit of money by signing an undrafted rookie. Every penny counts in the second apron era. Banton isn’t helping them win, so he should be sent packing before the June 29 team option deadline.
Banton’s team option shouldn’t be the only one the Celtics decline this offseason.
Amari Williams, Max Shulga, and Ron Harper Jr. should be down the door
These three players were signed to standard contracts midseason to dodge the luxury tax. Keeping them on their cheap team options is intriguing, but none of the three played more than 25 playoff minutes. It is an easy decision on their futures.
Some fans will want Harper Jr. back, but he is already 26 years old. The Celtics were 37.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the bench in high-leverage playoff minutes. It is a tiny sample, but if a wing in his prime isn’t ready to help Boston win, there is no reason to keep him around.
Payton Pritchard should be the Sixth Man of the Year, not a starter
Pritchard was benched when Jayson Tatum returned, but the Celtics can’t think he is the starting point guard moving forward. He made 50 regular-season starts this season, which was the fourth-most on the team. Derrick White, Brown, and Tatum should be locked into the opening five. The other two spots should be players Brad Stevens acquires this summer.
Pritchard was Sixth Man of the Year in 2025 and played a key role on the championship team. He is on a bargain contract. The Celtics should keep him as a valuable piece, but the 6’1 guard cannot start next season.
The Boston Celtics have work to do. They should be searching for two new starters and six new players overall. Boston has built the foundation of a championship team. It is all about putting the right pieces around that core. Brad Stevens did it in 2024 and will look to repeat the feat this summer. Expect changes, and stay tuned to see what the Celtics can make happen.
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