Celtics Seek $135M Luxury Tax Cut Amid Tatum Injury

The Boston Celtics face significant challenges heading into the offseason, with star forward Jayson Tatum likely to miss the entire 2025-26 season due to an Achilles tendon injury. Financially, the team is burdened by a massive payroll and luxury taxes, prompting the need to trade key players such as Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to create flexibility. Multiple reports suggest Jrue Holiday as the most probable trade candidate, with proposed deals involving the Dallas Mavericks that would bring in forward P.J. Washington as a potential replacement for Tatum. A three-team trade proposal could reduce the Celtics' luxury tax bill by $135-$140 million, trading Porzingis and others for less costly players, though Porzingis' injury history and contract situation complicate decisions. The Mavericks, aiming to bolster their defense after trading Luka Doncic, could pursue Holiday despite the challenge of matching salaries and sacrificing key players like Gafford and Washington. Overall, the Celtics are expected to undergo a roster overhaul to manage financial constraints and compensate for Tatum's absence, though they intend to keep core players Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.