Boston Celtics fans may now know more about the NBA’s financial rules than any other fanbase, generally speaking. They watched their championship-level roster be torn limb from limb over the summer, as Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet all headed to new homes one way or another.
Holiday and Porzingis were traded away in a pair of moves made with the goal of getting below the league’s second-apron threshold in mind.
Expectations heading into the season were the lowest they’ve been in years, thanks to the amount of change in Boston. With that in mind, many wondered whether or not the Celtics would continue to cut costs to avoid the first apron and possibly even the luxury tax, which they’re $4 million over and $12 million over, respectively.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, Brad Stevens and Boston’s front office aren’t under pressure to dive below the tax this week.
“League sources say Brad Stevens and his front office are under no pressure to lessen their tax bill before the trade deadline,” Siegel wrote.
The Celtics are approaching the deadline the right way
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. The Celtics are currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference and have proven that they’re able to compete with some of the league’s best teams this season.
Forcing Stevens to offload salary just to avoid the tax and risk disrupting the chemistry this squad has would be a bad look for ownership.
Many felt that the team would look to move Anfernee Simons’ $27 million salary as an optimal route to financial freedom. Now, it sounds as if the only way he’ll be traded is if it’s part of a more substantial, team-building move by Boston.
“Simons has played exceptionally well in his sixth-man role, and the Celtics' overall success has resulted in a change of thinking regarding how well they can perform come playoff time this season,” he explained. “With this said, Boston is still seeing what is out there regarding Simons' contract as it pertains to finding a key frontcourt upgrade.”
Siegel pointed to Michael Scotto’s recent report that Boston dangled Simons in a possible trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac, along with a first-round pick and a first-round-pick swap, earlier this season, as reason to believe that he could be had for the right price.
This is probably the right way for the Celtics to approach the deadline. Things are going well for them. Simons, in particular, has shown a willingness to work on defense, and his fit with the team has improved significantly over the past few months.
Trading him just to lower the team’s spending would send a discouraging message to the fanbase with how much fun it’s been to watch this group play thus far.