5 Things Celtics must do before the trade deadline

4. Prepare roster for multiple runs

The Celtics cannot just be focused on 2024. They have $199 million committed in salaries for next season with the second tax apron projected to be at $190 million. The harsher restrictions for spending will kick in this offseason and severely limit what teams can do. Boston will be unable to aggregate salaries in trades to take on additional money and won’t have their mid-level exception to add a piece.

The Celtics should be aggressive before the deadline in setting their roster up for multiple chances at the championship. They will work out an extension with Jrue Holiday this offseason, and a fresh contract for Derrick White should be a priority. Re-signing those two will give Boston three bites at the apple, but the Celtics need the ancillary pieces to win it all.

They must acquire a few more role players to round out their roster. Finding a trusted 3-and-D wing and another ball-handler should be on the to-do list.

Boston will be limited to minimum signings in free agency after this deadline. They may be able to convince a ring chaser to join them, but it won’t be easy. The Celtics should use their trade exception and the contract of a veteran point guard to get two more trusted rotation pieces.