Celtics Keep Final Roster Spot Open To Manage Payroll

The Boston Celtics are expected to begin the 2025-26 NBA season with one open standard roster spot, a strategy aimed at maintaining financial flexibility and managing luxury tax thresholds. After waiving J.D. Davison's non-guaranteed contract, the team remains just under the second apron salary limit and plans to keep the roster at 14 players initially. This approach, consistent with the past two seasons, allows the Celtics to potentially add a 15th player later in the season, as seen with previous conversions of two-way deals to full contracts. Despite rumors linking them to free agent Ben Simmons, the Celtics are likely to hold off on filling the spot immediately, partly due to the promising performance of young forward Jordan Walsh, whose partially guaranteed contract makes him a low-risk developmental asset. The open roster spot may be used mid-season for a trade or signing that fits under the salary cap constraints. Overall, the Celtics prioritize maintaining payroll flexibility while navigating significant roster changes, including the absence of key players like Jayson Tatum for most of the upcoming season.