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Celtics' timeline to make franchise-altering trades all but confirmed

The Boston Celtics are [staring down an offseason](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-desmond-bane-perfect-chance-repeat-history-jrue-holiday-trade-memphis-grizzlies-marcus-smart-orlando-magic) that will have the potential for lasting effects on this franchise, one way or the other. After their Eastern Conference semifinal loss at the hands of the New York Knicks and Jayson Tatum's injury in conjunction with their roster's financial issues, the Celtics have a lot to figure out, and not a lot of time to do that in. With the 2025 NBA Draft looming, Boston is going to have to finalize their biggest offseason moves by June 25.

That will be the first night of the draft, and it feels like packaging the 28th-overall pick as part of a larger trade is going to be the Celtics' best bet to salvage their current situation. Dealing away that pick is going to be essential if they're to trade away a contract like the one belonging to Kristaps Porzingis, for example.

It's pretty clear that [Boston needs to trim their payroll](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-kristaps-porzingis-plans-could-avalanche-into-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-trade), and attaching that pick in their dealings is going to go a long way toward getting a trade done. This is of course the far more sensical option for a team in this position than keeping the pick, and drafting an end-of-first-round type of talent.

Celtics are going to have to make trades before the draft

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And if this is the route the Celtics opt to go, it means their timeline is set in stone. No waiting around until after the draft or later in the summer, it has to get done in the next nine days. Obviously, this is a major shift from where Boston was at just a couple of months ago, when they were viewed by many as the favorites to take home the 2025 NBA championship, or at the very least the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Without Jayson Tatum in the equation, the Celtics' ceiling for next season lowers dramatically. They'll still be a strong regular season team if they keep their core together, but probably not a real contender for a championship. It would be a smart pivot if they opt to instead pursue financial flexibility and collecting more assets.

Again, perhaps the best-case scenario for Boston in this offseason is clearing salary to give themselves a future window for title contention, and sending away this pick they have this year will assist them majorly in achieving that outcome. The Celtics know what hangs in the balance this summer, and their timeline to make something happen has been made very clear.

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